Ready to guide listeners as HD gains momentum

Most of us know our favorite radio stations. We have our cars' radio presets tuned to music and news, to the sports and talk-show hosts we find most reliable. But how will we find the stations we want as digital HD ( "high definition") radio takes over?

The new technology lets stations broadcast more than one show or "channel" simultaneously from each frequency; listeners tuned to WMKK-FM (93.7), for example, can choose between the random mix of "Mike" on HD1 or the former disco format of "Star 93" on HD2. With the increased options, how will people know what's playing where?

The answer may be Radio Sherpa, a local start-up that, like its namesake, wants to guide listeners to the new technology's peaks. With a new website ( radiosherpa.com ) and plans to have its useful technology installed in digital radio receivers within a year, Radio Sherpa is blazing a digital trail.

In February, 13 Boston stations calling themselves the HD Alliance announced they would be adopting the new technology, which allows for CD-quality sound. These included Greater Media stations like WBOS-FM (92.9), CBS stations such as WBCN-FM (104.1), Entercom stations like WMKK, and Clear Channel stations including WJMN-FM (94.5). (The HD2 stations, as the secondary channels are called, range from old-school rap and hip-hop on WJMN's HD2 to WBCN's indie rock HD2.)

The audience is expected to follow. To tune in to the multiple channels, listeners need special receivers, which now cost at least $200. But as with all technologies, the price is expected to drop. Sasha Javid , one of Radio Sherpa's three founders, predicts the receivers will cost less than $100 by the end of 2007, which will win over listeners. "So that when you buy a radio, it will be an HD radio," he says. "It's just a question of time."

As stations and listeners convert, explains Javid, Radio Sherpa will help them find each other. Along with Stephanie Norton, a former Napster employee, and Deva Seetharam , who came from the MIT Media Lab, Javid has designed software that acts "like a TV Guide for the radio," he says. Visitors to the Radio Sherpa site see a moving scroll of album covers and station logos indicating what is currently playing on Boston's traditional and HD stations (labeled, for example, WJMN HD1, WJMN HD2, etc.). The images change as a song ends or another talk-show host takes the mike, allowing a real-time visual guide and making choosing a station faster and more efficient.

By registering (which is free), listeners can also plug in preferences. In time, says Javid, Radio Sherpa's software will be able to alert listeners to favorite artists or songs. And when HD stations stream over the Internet, as some now do, listeners can preview these extra stations without the pricey receivers. By the next holiday season, says Javid, Sherpa 's technology should also be available in some digital receivers, which will let listeners see what is available and click directly to it.

The trio intends to unveil Radio Sherpa sites for New York and Los Angeles stations by the end of January. "If done correctly, [HD radio] is going to be compelling," says Javid. "What we're offering is a way to see what the content is and in certain cases be able to listen. We're helping listeners make that transition."

WRKO-AM (680) eliminated its entire news staff on Thursday. The cuts affect news director Rod Fritz; news anchor and reporter Paul Tuthill; and news anchors Listo Fisher, Mary Blake, Marga Bessette, Sharon Smith, and part-timer Deb Daigle. . . . The big WKLB-WCRB switch is coming up. The change, which will move the country music station from 99.5 FM to 102.5 FM and have the classical music station flip from 102.5 FM to 99.5 FM is expected to take place Dec. 1. . . . Tomorrow, two WAAF-FM (107.3) jocks should be finishing their 14th annual, 100-mile "Walks for Change." The walks, each on different routes, by radio personalities L.B. and Spaz began yesterday to raise money for the Greater Boston Food Bank. Contributions are being accepted along the routes, and online at waaf.com . Detailed itineraries will also be posted on waaf.com. . . . Entercom Boston has announced that in 2007, Boston Red Sox games will be simulcast on WCRN-AM (830) in the Worcester area. WCRN will be upgrading to become a 50,000-watt station in January. The games were previously broadcast on affiliate WTAG-AM (580). Games will also be carried on WEEI's sister station, WVEI-AM (1440).