Long, winding road ahead for digital radio

Long, winding road ahead for digital radio / More stations are broadcasting it, but few listeners own receivers that can get better signal. A year ago, classical music station KDFC-FM began broadcasting a digital radio signal that gave listeners audio that sounded as sharp and crisp as a CD. One year later, only five other Bay Area radio stations have gone digital. ¶ The problem is, the advent of digital radio has come off like the proverbial tree that falls in the woods. There was barely anyone around to hear it. That's because the special receivers equipped to tune in the digital HD Radio technology weren't being sold in any Bay Area stores. ¶ But, in recent weeks, the Good Guys electronics chain has begun selling a $400 Kenwood HD Radio car stereo receiver. And this month, radio stations KFOG- FM and the Bone, which began broadcasting in digital earlier this year, are planning some system giveaways to help promote digital radio. [San Francisco Chronicle]