WTOP listeners in Frederick, Maryland, are facing a slight adjustment as the station transitions to a new frequency. The analog simulcast on 103.9 FM has been leased to K-LOVE, an adult contemporary Christian music station, ending on August 1st. However, there's good news for those who want to keep listening to WTOP's programming. Starting Monday, listeners with HD Radio receivers can tune into 103.9-HD2 to hear WTOP's familiar content. This marks a shift towards digital radio technology, which is becoming increasingly popular among stations like WTOP and its partner stations, including Federal News Network and The Gamut.
What is HD Radio?
HD Radio is a digital radio technology that allows stations to offer additional channels with improved audio quality. These channels can be accessed with an HD Radio receiver, which is a device that enables listeners to receive digital signals. Dave Kolesar, senior broadcast engineer for Hubbard Broadcasting, the company that owns WTOP, explains that most HD Radios allow users to save presets for these channels, making reception easy. This is in contrast to analog signals, which can only be received with standard radio receivers.
How to know if you have HD Radio?
If you're not sure if your radio is HD-enabled, there's an easy way to check. Look for the 'HD Radio' logo on your vehicle's entertainment system. Kolesar advises that it may have HD capability built in but switched off. To activate it, navigate to the 'Settings' menu and find the option to turn HD Radio on/off. If you're still unsure, consult your vehicle's manual or search the internet using the term 'turning HD Radio on in' followed by the year, make, and model of your vehicle.
WTOP's transition to HD Radio is a step towards providing listeners with a more comprehensive and high-quality listening experience. With the ability to offer additional channels and improved audio, HD Radio is becoming a popular choice for radio stations across the country. As WTOP continues to adapt to this new technology, listeners in Frederick and beyond can look forward to a seamless and enhanced listening experience.
