HD Radio is just the next big thing -- broadcast radio like you've never heard it. HD Radio makes AM sound like today's FM and FM sound like you were listening to a CD. It's pure, crystal-clear sound and it's free -- all you need to do is buy a new radio.

Speaking of which, iBiquity Digital Corp. recently announced a new program that allows you to trade in an analog radio for a new digital HD radio.

Here's how the program works:

1. In your browser's URL, type www.ebay.com/hdradio.

2. Click on "Trade in Your Old Radio for Cash + a $20 Rebate."

3. When this window opens, either Sign in to EZTradein.com or click on Create a New Account.

4. After you sign in or create a new account, you will be returned to the HD Radio TM page. Click on Trade In Your Old Radio for Cash + a $20 Rebate and follow the instructions.

5. You will then see your Estimate Value, plus the $20 HDRADIO rebate.

6. Once you accept the estimate, you will be able to print a prepaid shipping label and ship your items to the eBay Trade-In warehouse.

7. As soon as eBay receives your trade-in radio, and proof of purchase of any HD Radio product (even those purchased on eBay), you will be sent a check from HD Radio.

IBiquity also announced that these HD Radio receivers are eligible for the rebate program.

Alpine (DVA-9965)

Audio Design Associates (Quadri-tune)

Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD)

Fujitsu/Eclipse (HDR-105 HD Radio tuner box only)

Kenwood (KTC-HR100, Kenwood KTC-HR100C, KTC-HR100TR,KTC-HR100TR, EZ900 DS - HD Radio tuner box only)

Panasonic (CQ-CB8901U)

Polk Audio (iSonic Entertainment System)

Radiosophy Multistream

Rotel (RT-1084HD)

Sanyo (ECD HD 1990M)

Yamaha (RX-V6400)

A couple of words of warning: While all the car receivers listed here are actually available, several of the listed receivers are not. You can buy the Boson Acoustics Recepter radio from a couple of Internet sources. And Radiosophy has said that it will begin shipping its Multistream receiver about the first of December. However, there are no posted release dates for Polk Audio, Rotel, or ADA.

So, If your interest is in equipping your car with an HD radio, go for it. On the other hand, if you want to add HD radio to your home, you may want to wait until closer to Christmas when there will be more choices available.

Douglas Hanna

Douglas Hanna is a retired advertising and marketing executive. Over the course of his 30-plus year career, he created sales-winning advertising and marketing plans for a wide variety of clients. Hanna writes extensively about family finances, old time radio and the Internet. He is also the webmaster of a site devoted to a new technology called HD Radio.