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How can I get an HD Radio or listen to the Webstream?
We want to make it easy to find out more about HD Radio and how to purchase one. For a complete listing of currently available models, go to ibiquity.com. Many central Ohio area retailers currently stock HD Radios, including Circuit City and Radio Shack. Online stores such as Crutchfield, Radiosophy, and Amazon also sell HD Radios. No matter where you get your HD Radio, please give this exciting new technology a listen. You’ll never listen to radio to the “Listen Live” section of our web site. From there you can listen to our Classical Music webstream through your computer.
Another option available now is with a WiFi Radio that allows listeners to tune into thousands of radio stations, including WOSU, that stream their broadcasts on the Internet. More information on WiFi Radio is available at wifiradioreview.com.
WOSU HD Guide
This guide will help you learn about the difference between HD Radio and FM Radio, and it will assist you with optimizing your HD Radio listening experience. We've included some tips and techniques for obtaining the best reception based on your location.
* How do I get an HD Radio?
* How is an HD Radio different from a regular FM radio?
* Can I receive WOSU HD everywhere that I can hear WOSU FM 89.7?
* I bought an HD radio but I'm having trouble hearing the WOSU FM 89.7 digital channels.
* I am still having problems receiving the WOSU FM 89.7 digital signals.
* I'd like to listen to WOSU FM 89.7 Channel 2 in my car. What's involved?
* Any other suggestions? Where can I get more information about receiving HD Radio on WOSU FM 89.7?
* Do I live in an area of Central Ohio where I can receive an HD radio signal?
* Where can I get more general information about HD Radio?
How do I get an HD Radio?
We want to make it easy to find out more about HD Radios, and how to purchase one. For a complete listing of currently available models, go to ibiquity.com. Many central Ohio area retailers currently stock HD Radios, including Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, JC Penney, COSTCO, Sharper Image, and Radio Shack. Online stores such as Radiosophy also sell HD Radios.
No matter where you get your HD Radio, please give this exciting new technology a listen. You’ll never listen to radio the same way again!
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How is an HD Radio different from a regular FM radio?
HD radios sound better.
Regular FM radio has the ability to produce high fidelity sound under the right reception conditions. FM frequencies require a line-of-site path between the FM transmitter and the receiver. Hisses, pops, static, and fading occurs because FM signals are reflected from obstructions such as buildings—or from you when you move around the room where your radio is located.
HD radio differs by using digital technology.
This technology minimizes reception problems and offers freedom from the interference described above. Also, digital technology allows stations such as WOSU FM 89.7 to squeeze in additional services, thanks to cutting edge compression technology.
HD radios receive more stations than FM radios.
Several years ago, WOSU FM 89.7 installed the equipment necessary to broadcast digital signals, in addition to our regular analog signal. Essentially, this allows us to have multiple signals in the "space" it takes for one. On your HD Radio, these channels are still found at FM 89.7 on the dial.
- WOSU FM 89.7: This is our flagship channel that you can hear on standard FM radios.
- WOSU HD-2: As of mid-January, 2008, you are now able to listen to our all-classical service on WOSU HD-2, which includes our local hosts.
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Can I receive WOSU HD everywhere that I can hear WOSU FM 89.7?
Unfortunately, not necessarily: The current digital HD system was designed to offer a service that permits receiving the analog FM signal along with the new digital signals. This requires a careful balance by engineers to establish the power of the digital channels so as to maximize coverage without interference to the existing analog service. Luckily, it takes much less power for a digital signal to cover a specific listening area than its analog equivalent. In order to provide side-by-side analog and digital service in the FM broadcast band, the power of the digital signals is only 1/100th the power of the analog signal. The WOSU FM 89.7 analog signal has a power of 50,000 watts. Our two-channel digital service has a power of only 500 watts.
Nonetheless, most listeners within the greater WOSU FM 89.7 listening area have reported good results in receiving our digital signals. Our intention is to share the experiences and recommendations of our engineers and listeners who can suggest ways to successfully receive the WOSU FM 89.7 digital channels.
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I bought an HD radio but I'm having trouble hearing the WOSU FM 89.7 digital channels.
Did your HD radio come with a dipole antenna?
A dipole antenna can be identified by its shape. It is in the form of a T. Dipole antennas are inexpensive and available at many electronic retail stores. A dipole antenna captures an FM signal much better than a simple piece of wire. Usually the higher the dipole is mounted, the better the reception, and you may need to experiment with several locations. Connect the leads of the antenna to the antenna terminals on the back of the HD radio.
Tune in to WOSU HD and listen for awhile to ensure you have a strong signal that can be consistently received.
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I am still having problems receiving the WOSU FM 89.7 digital signals.
Sometimes relocating the receiver or even trying a connection through a TV antenna or rabbit ears will bring in the signal. Some listeners report that they have found an amplified indoor antenna works for them. However, in many cases the amplified antenna overloads, and interference from nearby strong stations prevents reception of distant stations.
If this does not produce an acceptable signal and you are a passionate listener to WOSU FM 89.7, then it may be necessary to obtain an FM antenna to be mounted in your attic or outside on the roof. FM antennas vary in size and cost depending on the number and type of elements designed to bring in distant signals.
FM antennas are available at some local electronic stores or online. You may need to get assistance for the selection of the antenna and its installation from a professional installer.
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I'd like to listen to WOSU HD in my car. What's involved?
Those of us who have installed an HD radio in our cars have been very pleased with the results. Not only can we hear WOSU HD, we also hear WOSU FM 89.7's main signal without multipath distortion – the pops, clicks, and distortion often heard when driving near tall buildings and in hilly areas.
Installing a new radio seems daunting to some; others like their current factory-installed radios. Professional installers available at stores like Circuit City can complete a professional installation of an "after-market" radio such as an HD Radio from JVC or Kenwood in a couple of hours. Templates are available for most car models so the finished installation makes the new HD radio look like it was factory-installed.
Two radio currently endorsed by NPR Engineering that are capable of receiving the extra WOSU FM 89.7 channels are the JVC KD-HDR1 and the Kenwood KTC-HR100 TR tuner box with KDC-MP625 head unit.
BMW has a factory-installed HD radio option for their 2008 models. It's likely to take a few more years for a significant number of auto makers to include HD radios in their models. For those who can't wait, the radios mentioned here are great additions to the listening experience in your car.
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Any other suggestions?
Several listeners in outlying areas with some technical savvy have added an antenna preamplifier to increase the WOSU FM 89.7 signal even more. This approach is most effective when the preamplifier is mounted near the antenna. Some experimentation may be needed and results aren't guaranteed. Consider ordering outdoor antennas and amplifiers from a store that has a return policy.
Where can I get more information about receiving HD Radio on WOSU FM 89.7?
After reading this FAQ, feel free to contact us with your questions. Also, we'd like to hear from you about your experience with digital reception.
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Do I live in an area of Central Ohio where I can receive an HD radio signal?
This PDF is an eleven-page report conducted by National Public Radio in 2005 of signal strength in Central Ohio. We encourage you to download the report to better understand where the HD radio signal reaches.
Where can I get more general information about HD Radio?
For a complete listing of currently available models, go to this HD Digital Radio Page.
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  Sundays, 7pm, WOSU FM 89.7. From the Top is a weekly, hour-long radio showcase of America's top young classical musicians hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley. more...   Join Ramble hosts Rich Baker, Chet DeLong, Chris Johnston, and Steve Brechter for one of the best--and longest running--bluegrass radio shows in the country! The Lonesome River Band, The Country Gentlemen, Blue Highway, Bill Monroe, IIIrd Tyme Out, The Stanley Brothers, Del McCoury, The Osborne Brothers, Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, The Seldom Scene, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Reno and Smiley, Flatt and Scruggs, The Boys From Indiana, and The Dillards are only a fraction of the outstanding artists you'll experience when you tune in to Bluegrass Ramble. more... |
