88.7 FM The Diamond is at the cutting edge of technology by becoming the first public radio station in Indiana to launch HD Radio. WICR flipped the switch on July 28, 2004 after installation of its new transmitter and is currently airing the Mirror Image, which provides 24 hours of Jazz and classical programming.

What is HD Radio?

HD Radio (short for High Definition Radio) is a new digital technology that produces the highest sound fidelity available. Listeners will experience a clearer reception and CD quality sound.

Approved by the FCC as the digital broadcast system for the radio industry, the noise and interference that cause the static, hiss, pops and fades heard on today's analog radios will be virtually eliminated with HD Radiodigital broadcasting. In addition to crystal clear reception, HD Radiowill dramatically enhance sound fidelity - HD Radio AM will sound FM-like, and FM will rival the quality of compact discs.

So just think, you will be able to hear WICR in its purest, clearest digital form. Your favorite jazz cuts and classical music artists will sound awesome-crystal clear-straight from the recording studio or concert hall!

What else can HD Radio do?

HD Radiotechnology allows new wireless data services to be delivered from AM and FM radio stations. This will allow you to see the name of the artist and title of the song on the radio screen as it's being played, or gain immediate local traffic updates, or view weather, stock and news information. As available, WICR will broadcast this information to data capable HD Radio receivers.

How I can hear The Diamond in HD Radio?

To hear WICR in its purest digital form, you will need a special HD Radio receiver for either your car or home audio system.

The good news is that you can still hear The Diamond at 88.7 FM and you can still hear WICR with your current analog radio. But if you have a new HD Radio receiver you will hear us in our new digital format with CD-quality audio.

If you have any questions regarding the new transmitter, or would simply like more information, please feel free to email our Chief Engineer, Russ Maloney. He will be glad to answer any questions that you have.

above: Broadcast Technician Jason Umbreit explains
some of the features on the new transmitter.

In Early March of 2007, WICR launched its brand new HD2 station which gives our listeners the chance to choose which format of music they want to listen to 24 hours a day. When HD1 is playing Jazz, HD2 is playing Classical Music and vice versa.