Digital HD Radio
Digital HD Radio Expands
Toyota is now offering digital HD Radio in their 2012 Camry model.
Nineteen automotive brands have announced that digital HD Radio is or will be available as a factory installed feature including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, MINI USA, Rolls-Royce, Scion, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. After market radios are also available at auto audio stores.
HD Radio, as heard on WQCS 88.9- HD1, HD2, and HD3 channels, offers consumers a variety of new and exciting programming in crystal-clear digital sound. Scion recently announced that they are making the technology a standard feature with their 2012 audio products.
Today, there are over 2,000 AM and FM stations broadcasting with HD Radio technology with more than 1,300 additional digital-only multicast channels sending new programming.
WQCS is a technology leader on the Treasure Coast in providing channels that allows persons to hear either 24 hours a day of music or 24 hours a day of news/information programming by switching between HD1 and HD2. The heightened audio quality of HD Radio is now aided by an increase of power to the digital signals following the August switch to a new transmitter. WQCS thanks a local donor and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for support to acquire the transmitter that will extend the HD signal and make the HD signal easier to penetrate buildings.
WQCS will also offer HD3 this fall featuring current weather information, acoustic music, and talk shows.
New Analog and Digital HD Transmitter
Thanks to a gift from a generous local donor and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, WQCS is now providing increased power on our digital HD signals.
A new analog and digital HD transmitter was installed to replace a 30 year old transmitter. If you are within the analog FM signal of 88.9, you should be able to receive a stronger digital HD signal...and enjoy three digital signals in addition to the analog channel.
HD radio sets can pick up WQCS’s digital channels that provides additional music, news, call-in talk and weather programming. Digital channel programs include This American Life, the BBC news, music from the World Café, Sunday Baroque, Fresh Air, Talk of the Nation, Diane Rehm and Science Friday.
Of course you may still hear WQCS and HD 2 by streaming from your computer or using the smart phone app for mobile listening. Visit www.wqcs.org for more information.
Programs Available on WQCS Digital “HD2” Channel
WQCS, 88.9 FM, broadcasts a digital channel (HD2) that features many well-known public radio shows, such as the daily “Talk of the Nation”, “Fresh Air with Terry Gross”, “The “Diane Rehm Show”, “On Point” and “The World”, as well as a variety of music shows.
Additionally, the digital HD2 channel enables Treasure Coast listeners to hear the weekly “This American Life”, “The Splendid Table”, “Thistle and Shamrock”, and “Jazz at Lincoln Center.”
“We have doubled the number of hours of programming we air each week and have designed a schedule to meet the demand for news and information programming requested by our listeners. We also want to serve a variety of musical tastes and allow classical listeners an opportunity to enjoy their favorite music at times we currently air news and talk programs,” according to WQCS Manager Madison Hodges.
Listeners to HD2 will also enjoy “Science Friday”, “BBC World News” overnight, jazz, “All Songs Considered”, and special local programs.
WQCS, 88.9 FM, began sending a digital “HD Radio” (HD1) version of the current analog signal to the Treasure Coast in April, 2008. To receive the high quality digital signals, you will need a new “HD Radio” digital receiver. The radios are available in new automobiles, and at electronics retail outlets and many online shopping sites. You may also listen on line at www.wqcs.org, or use the NPR app on iPhones.
The digital signal may be somewhat less than the coverage pattern of the analog signal. There is no “fade out” with digital “HD Radio”, and you will either hear the signal or not. NPR Labs suggests two passive antennas to improve reception for home or office use that were found to perform well: C. Crane “FM Reflect Antenna” or Radio Shack “Budget TV Antenna Model 15-1874”.
“HD Radio” allows WQCS to send two digital signals that are broadcast alongside the 88.9 FM analog signal that all FM radio sets currently receive. The digital signals are unaffected by atmospheric conditions that may distort analog signals and creates a CD-quality sound on “HD Radio” receivers. The new digital receivers also will continue to receive the analog signals of stations not airing digital signals.
WQCS and other FM stations will continue to broadcast the analog signal for many years so that analog radio sets will not become obsolete.
The installation of “HD Radio” transmission means that the station is able to utilize digital audio throughout the station to provide the highest quality audio to listeners as well as transmit information data. For more information about “HD Radio”, go to http://www.hdradio.com.
We want to be your TWO favorite radio stations!
New technology is making more exciting radio programming possible on the Treasure Coast!
For several years, many of our listeners have asked us to air more of the best of public radio’s quality news and information programs. Others have asked for more classical or variety music.
With a new digital “HD Radio” you will be able to enjoy both of these WQCS programming services:
WQCS 88.9 and digital HD-1 will feature all of the programs currently heard WQCS FM, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, along with the best in classical music.
NEW WQCS 88.9 digital channel HD-2 will feature many new programs such as the daily Diane Rehm Show, Talk of the Nation, and Fresh Air with Terry Gross, as well as weekly shows such as This American Life, Thistle and Shamrock, Tavis Smiley, and the Splendid Table. You’ll be able to listen to everything from Friday night jazz, to cutting edge new music and world music, as well as weekend and morning classical performances.
There are many sources for HD radios, including on-line and at several retail electronic stores in our area. For more information about HD radios click on www.hdradio.com where you will find answers to many of your questions.
On behalf of everyone at WQCS, we are pleased to bring enhanced programming to the Treasure Coast and we thank you for your support.
Madison Hodges
WQCS Manager