High definition radio has arrived. Maine Public Broadcasting began operation of Maine’s first terrestrial digital radio station on Nov. 9 when WMEH-HD at 90.9 MHz signed on the air.

Just as high definition television is the highest quality of digital television, yielding cinemalike picture resolution and unsurpassed audio quality, HD radio provides CD-quality audio, engulfing the listener in the full spectrum of sound the artist intended.

“In the past, we have been bound by the physics of analog radio broadcasting,” said Gil Maxwell, Maine Public Broadcasting chief operating officer. “These impediments required us to compress the level, limit the vividness and degrade the separation of the audio signal. While we have made tremendous gains in improving our sound over the years, this technology enables us to jump to the next level by providing true reproduction of sound, moving the listener into the recording studio or concert hall.”

“This new technology also may provide Maine Public Radio with the opportunity to offer more quality programming choices that our members and listeners have been requesting over the years,” said Charles Beck, vice president for radio services. Citing a decision by the Federal Communications Commission that is expected next spring, Beck said, “If the FCC allows us to have a secondary audio signal, we could double the amount of music, news and entertainment that Maine Public Radio currently offers.”

The six other radio stations in Calais, Waterville, Fort Kent, Portland, Presque Isle and Camden operated by Maine Public Broadcasting will undergo digital conversion in the next year through a grant provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Like any new technology in the marketplace, the cost of the receivers that accommodate digital transmission is expensive. Within a very short period, the digital technology will be as commonplace as CD players in cars.