KCBX Radio has taken the next step into the audio future with the adoption of HD Radio technology.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is HD Radio?

What will I hear on HD Radio?

You will hear the same programming that you are currently hearing on your regular FM radio, but the sound will be CD quality. You will also be able to tune into the second channel of KCBX programming on 90.1-2 - programming that can only be heard on an HD radio.

How do I listen?

To listen to HD Radio, you will need an HD Radio receiver that is equipped to receive and decode the digital signals. Unlike digital satellite broadcasting, however, you won't need to pay any monthly fees or sign a contract. It's free to anybody with a receiver.

Can I receive XM or Sirius broadcasts on an HD Radio?

No. XM and Sirius are digital formats, but they are distributed by satellite and require their own receiving equipment as well as a monthly subscription fee. HD Radio is a local broadcast service and does not require a monthly subscription fee.

Where can I get an HD Radio receiver?

HD Radio receivers for the home and automobile are being produced by a number of well-known manufacturers, including Boston Acoustics, Cambridge Sound Works, Polk Audio, Sangean, Yamaha, JVC, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine. They can be purchased at Coast Electronics in Morro Bay and Los Osos (772-1265 or 528-4785). They are available online through Internet sites like radioshack.com, and shop.npr.org.

Will I get better signal reception with HD?

The key to good HD reception is that the basic quality of the signal must be good. The quality of the FM analog signal is a good indicator of that quality. If the FM signal is noisy, flutters, fades, etc. the odds of receiving HD are very poor. That said, the exception is that if a HD receiver can decode the digital transmission it will deliver high quality audio. This is the nature of the digital signal. If the receiver decodes the IBOC signal you have audio, if it can't decode the signal, the receiver mutes (or falls back to the analog FM); there is no in between.

What types of receiver antennas are available?

Generally the best way to improve either FM or HD reception is to improve the receiver's antenna system. Many receivers, especially analog FM receivers, used their power cord as an antenna on the assumption that nobody wanted extra wires or unsightly antennas hanging on/around their tabletop radios. While these line cord antennas worked OK in metropolitan areas with nearby transmission sites their inefficiency reduced their effectiveness at more distant receive locations.

Generally the addition of an external antenna to a receiver provides two types of signal improvements. The first type is an increase in signal LEVEL. This is because an external antenna is usually of a more efficient design and can be placed in a location to better intercept and collect the signal from the transmitter. The result is more signal delivered to the receiver. The second improvement is the signal QUALITY. External antennas, again by their design and placement, will do a better job of receiving the main signal from the transmitter and letting the 'ghost' signals pass by. This means the signal actually delivered into the receiver is of better quality.

While both of these improvements are desirable, it is possible to overload the input of the receiver with too much signal level. This usually occurs at locations that are within a mile of the transmitter site or if someone installs an antenna system that has a built-in or external amplifier. Antennas with amplifiers should typically only be used at locations 25+ miles from the transmitter. Many consumer stores offer these amplified antennas at premium pricing as a solution that ultimately makes the reception worse instead of better.

Where should I place my receiver antenna?

Generally any receive antenna will perform better the higher it is above the ground. Even the line cord antennas will often work better in a second story bedroom than they will in a ground floor kitchen. This is because ground level terrain often disperses or bounces the signal from the transmitter with the result that the antenna will not be able to collect enough of a quality signal for the receiver to provide decent quality audio. With HD receivers, the quality won't be good enough for the receiver decoders to lock and the receiver won't switch into the HD reception mode.

Even if you add an indoor-type external antenna to your receiver, the best place to put that antenna is usually at the highest location you can find. For example, if you have an entertainment center located against one wall of your living room, put the antenna on the top level of the entertainment center. If you use one of the folded-dipole wire antennas, it will work best if it is fully stretched out and thumb-tacked or stapled as high on the wall as possible rather than dangling down to the floor all crumpled up. Ideal orientation for this type of antenna is with the receive element (not the downlead to the receiver) oriented horizontally, though sometimes alternate orientations might work best.

Would it help to buy an "HD Antenna"?

There is absolutely nothing special about the reception of HD that can be augmented by a “special” antenna design, so any antenna labeled for HD is only labeled that way for marketing purposes. Any FM antenna works as well for HD Radio.

What is the best solution for improving my reception?

In general, the best solution to optimize your FM and HD reception for ALL of the stations in your area is to install an omni-directional receive antenna outdoors at a location just above your roof. These antennas are relatively small, approximately 40-inches across, and look like a crossed-X from the top. They do not need to be “aimed” as they receive from all directions and they should provide a high quality signal to one or more receivers (with properly designed distribution) at most locations up to about 25 miles from the transmitter. For best results a 75-ohm coaxial downlead (similar to cable television and satellite dish wire) should be run between the antenna and receiver. These antennas can be installed fairly easily by a moderately qualified do-it-yourselfer or at reasonable cost by a qualified professional. If, for some reason, rooftop installation is impossible or un-desirable, this type of antenna can be installed in an attic space with satisfactory results.

For locations greater than 25 miles from the FM transmitter site, TV-style antennas designed for the FM band are available. Again these will work best if mounted on the rooftop. This type of antenna does require aiming toward the transmitter and will provide optimum reception of only the stations broadcasting from the direction the antenna is pointed.