Back to KUSP homepage
See more projects
Back to Digitization project

Radio on KUSP is now broadcast on 88.9 fm.

  
 
KUSP began broadcasting in HD Radio July 2007 on the it's main 88.9 frequency in July 2007. HD Radio technology is new. It allows digital information to be broadcast along the same channels as FM radio. HD Radio allows listeners to enjoy better sound and virtually eliminates the static and background noise typical of traditional radio. The technology also provides a platform for new data services, such as song title and artist information, expanded weather services, and traffic alerts.

When you tune in to KUSP on an HD Radio, you’ll hear all these benefits:
  • Background noise drops away. You’ll hear detail in the music you thought you could only hear on a CD.

  • The stereo “image” becomes sharper and clearer.

  • Depending on your speakers and listening environment, you’ll notice improved high- and low-frequency response (FCC regulations have always limited this for FM stereo; HD Radio has the greater frequency response of CD’s).
HD Radios come in many varieties. Tabletop radios are the most common, but you can also get components for your stereo/home theater system (that plug in like a CD player) and car stereos. HD Radio is an option on some 2008 model cars.

Prices for HD Radios range from below $100 to about $600. At KUSP we’ve tested three different HD Radios for the home or office and given them a favorable review. All are available at retail stores and through on-line retailers.

The Accurian tabletop HD Radio is available at Radio Shack stores and at radioshack.com – and is available as our thank-you gift for a $1,000 contribution to KUSP.

Another tabletop HD Radio we have tested is the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD. It has a detachable speaker for greater stereo separation and big, room-filling sound. Find out more at bostonacoustics.com.

For connecting to a larger stereo or home theater system, consider the Sangean HDT-1, which is available at retail stores and through the NPR Shop.

All these radios work with one of HD Radio’s most important features, “multicasting.” Multicasting will let KUSP “split” our digital signal into multiple program streams. KUSP-1 will have the same programming as our analog FM signal – and KUSP-2 will bring you even more great public radio programming. We’re planning the programming for KUSP-2 (and eventually, even KUSP-3) now, and raising money to pay for the additional equipment we need to launch KUSP-2.

To learn more about HD Radio on KUSP and other parts of our digitization project, click here.

We invite you to make a special gift to KUSP that will support our launch of HD Radio and the other improvements that come with digitization. You can make a gift on-line here; don’t forget to put “digitization” in the comments section. Thanks for your support!

Back to top

Back to KUSP homepage