About HD Radio™

How do I know if I’m receiving an HD radio signal?

If you are tuned to a radio station broadcasting an HD signal, the HD Radio™ logo on the front of the receiver will be lit. The LCD display will also include a circle next to the time display. If there are multiple streams (sub channels), the circle will have a number inside it corresponding to the stream.

If you do not see any HD radio indicators, the stations in your area may not be broadcasting in HD yet. To find out, check the list of on-air HD stations or contact your local radio stations.

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Are there any HD stations near me?

Radio stations are launching HD broadcasts weekly! To find out if there are HD stations near you, click here.

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Why doesn’t the HD Radio™ signal come up right away?

It may take a few seconds for the receiver to find and convert the broadcast signals to digital, which is normal. During this time you will hear an analog signal if it’s available. Once the digital signal is converted, the receiver will “blend” the two signals as it switches to digital.

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Using the MultiStream™ HD in the car

How do I use the MultiStream™ HD receiver in the car?

Connecting the MultiStream™ HD radio to a car or boat stereo requires a 12 v power adapter as well as one of the following: RCA In jacks on the car stereo, OR a cassette player in the car stereo OR a mobile FM transmitter.

To connect power you need a 12 v car power adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Remove the receiver from the base unit. Connect the 12 v adapter to POWER on the MultiStream™ HD receiver.

If your car’s radio has RCA connections, connect the RCA Out from the MultiStream HD to the RCA In on the car radio. (See your car owner’s manual for details.) You can now listen to the MultiStream HD through your vehicle’s stereo speakers without losing digital quality. This is the best way to listen to the MultiStream HD in a vehicle.

If your car has a cassette player, you will need a 3.5mm mini jack to cassette adapter. Connect the adapter to HEADPHONE on the receiver and plug the other end into your cassette player. (See your car owner’s manual for details.) You will now be able to listen to the MultiStream™ HD radio through your vehicle’s stereo speakers.

If your car does not have a cassette player or RCA connections, you will need a mobile FM transmitter. This is a short-range transmitter that will send the signal from the MultiStream™ HD radio to your car radio’s antenna. Connect the transmitter to the HEADPHONE connection on the receiver. (Refer to the transmitter manufacturer’s instructions for tuning the transmitter.) You will now be able to listen to the MultiStream™ HD radio through your vehicle’s stereo speakers.

PLEASE NOTE: Because the mobile FM transmitter is not a digital device the signal will revert back to analog quality (like a “regular” radio receiver). However, you will still be able to listen to all AM, FM and multicasting streams

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Do I need to use an external antenna in the car?

The MultiStream™ HD has built-in AM and FM antennas that should be sufficient for listening in the car. (Reception is usually best near a car window.) However, local circumstances such as terrain, location of radio station transmitters, etc. vary & you may find that an external antenna is needed.

There are connections on the back of the radio for both AM and FM antennas.

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Why isn’t the sound quality as good in the car as it is from the speaker base?

You may be using a mobile FM transmitter, which is not digital, so the enhanced sound quality is lost. However, the transmitter will allow you to hear all the AM, FM and multicasting streams being broadcast in the area. If your car stereo has a cassette player or RCA jacks, connecting through these instead of using a retransmitter will retain the digital signal.

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MultiStream™ HD Radio Features

What features are included in the MultiStream™ HD?

To see all the features available in the MultiStream™ HD, take our virtual tour.

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How do I use the USB port on the back of the receiver?

The onboard USB port is for updating the receiver’s software. As HD Radio™ matures there will be changes and advancements in this new technology. Owners of the MultiStream™ HD can connect their receiver to a computer and download software updates via the USB port, extending the useful life of the radio.

Registered owners receive advance notice of software updates via email. Be sure to register your MultiStream HD right away!

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Why is the information stream scrolling across the LCD display wrong or incomplete?

The scrolling text is programmed by each radio station, not by Radiosophy. Your station may not yet include full data. If you have questions about the content of the data stream, contact the radio station directly.

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Connecting the MultiStream™ HD to other products

Can the MultiStream™ HD receiver connect to my computer?

Yes, the MultiStream™ HD receiver can connect to a computer with the proper inputs, allowing you to listen to the MultiStream over the computer's speakers.

If your computer has an RCA connection, connect the MultiStream's RCA "line out" to the "line in" on your computer's sound card.

For a purely digital sound, connect the MultiStream's "optical out" to your computer's "optical in/out" SPDIF connection.

To determine if your computer has the correct connections, refer to the computer manufacturer's documentation.

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Can I plug a USB memory stick into the receiver?

No, the USB connection is only used for updates to the software in your receiver. As HD Radio™ matures there will be changes and advancements in this new technology. Owners of the MultiStream™ HD can connect their receiver to a computer and download software updates via the USB port, extending the useful life of the radio.

Registered owners receive advance notice of software updates via email. Be sure to register your MultiStream HD right away!

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