When one of my favorite radio programs was moved to an HD radio station, I investigated purchasing an HD radio. WAMU transmitted The Ray Davis Show, playing bluegrass music over 88.5FM for many years before recently moving the program to their 88.5-2 HD radio station.
Hybrid-digital (HD) radios pick up additional stations, such as the one now carrying the show I like. Additionally, HD radios are also said to offer better sound quality. A key advantage over satellite radio is that once you have an HD radio, you do not have to pay any subscription fees.
However, since the show I’m interested in is available online for free without an HD radio at bluegrasscountry.org, and since HD radios cost a couple of hundred dollars, I’ll hold off on purchasing an HD radio. Maybe someday, I’ll buy a new car with an HD radio already included. Until then, I’ll file HD radios under ‘things you don’t need.’