Ah, HD AM radio: A solution in search of a problem. AM radio is pure information-over-distance. Most of us AM listeners aren't all that interested in fidelity. If we want "nice" sound, we go to FM, or use our iPodS.

I for one like good sound quality, and I listen to AM for information. So I intended to buy an HD radio until I found that they were over $200 back then. At half that, now may be the time. Why the reticence? Because FM already sounds good, and $200 was just too much for something I'd "like", for me.

The only reasons I wanted HD Radio were the greater number of channels (most stations have 2) and the clarity. Analog FM still has hiss, but when replaced with it's digital equivalent, it only cuts out :). For good signals, you get a richer sound that is clearer at amplified levels than analog FM. I do switch to the alternate channels also. Great birthday gift.

The only reasons I wanted HD Radio were the greater number of channels (most stations have 2) and the clarity. Analog FM still has hiss, but when replaced with it's digital equivalent, it only cuts out :). For good signals, you get a richer sound that is clearer at amplified levels than analog FM. I do switch to the alternate channels also. Great birthday gift.

Do some research! I've had my JVC HD Radio for over a year. Crutchfield sells them for $160 most of the time. They are great radios and great CD/MP3 players. IPOD inputs, subwoofer outputs - the works. All of this from a single antenna with fine sensitivity. And once you've heard HD AM you will never go back. The news is usually painful enough - the sound doesn't have to hurt your ears. Also, the FM is audibly better in HD as well. Much better highs and less noise. Finally, since the HD-only channels have limited listership, they also have much, much fewer commercials...

HD radio sounds remarkable but this is limited to the radio that you purchase to decode the signal. There are good ones and junk ones. All HD radios have poor signal reception performance, and I have had to go to great lengths to receive distant HD signals. (such as install directional outside antennas) The difference in AM sound is astonishing and with the FM they drop the standard FM compression and it is like listening to a CD. The sound comes alive on FM. Alternative programming is one of the advantages. Many markets are very limited in selection and HD offers the opportunity to serve more formats. Well worth the investment. Of all the HD radios I tested, Boston Acoustics was the worst RF performance. The receiver is dismal but the sound is good if you use an outside antenna and preamp. Good Luck.

Some HD radios are rebroadcast on unused FM channel , after decoding etc. How does that sound compare to analog FM ?? thx,

HD radio will be really great when/if the FCC approve the proposal now under review for a 10dB (i.e. a tenfold) increase in digital power for FM stations. Also in the future when AM stations can go all digital, their digital signal will be 15dB (32 fold) without the need for the sidebands. This will be the best of both worlds (250+ mile range, clear stereo audio to 16kHz, no interference to adjacent AM stations) I think AM radio will be reborn when pure digital AM is approved by the FCC. With a long time interest in radio I think this is the best thing in radio since frequency modulation (FM) was developed. I don't have any idea why certain purists want to knock this technology. I think it will really take off when the car manufacturs start to offer it as standard. Giving the analogy of HDTV, it was really only from 2004 onwards when it gained traction even though the TV networks were broadcasting it since 1998. Give it time and you will wish you had some Ibiquity stock. It's definitely one of those "NO REGRETS" purchases.