What Is Dab Radio?
Contents
- 1 What is the difference between a DAB radio and a normal radio?
- 2 What are the disadvantages of DAB radio?
- 3 What are the benefits of DAB radio?
- 4 Can DAB radio receive FM stations?
- 5 Is FM better than DAB?
- 6 What to look for when buying a DAB radio?
- 7 Is DAB radio popular?
- 8 Where does DAB radio get its signal?
- 9 How many stations does DAB radio have?
- 10 How do I know if my radio is DAB?
- 11 Do DAB radios still work?
What is the difference between a DAB radio and a normal radio?
What is DAB+? And is it better than FM? – DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting. So basically, it is just a digitally transmitted sound. This is different to FM, for example, which is sound that is transmitted via radio waves, and you can adjust it to suit your location.
- The range of DAB is much wider, and because it is digitally transmitted, the quality is also better.
- Because it does not use radio waves, there is no noise.
- This means that even in the remotest corner of the country, you will have crystal-clear sound.
- As mentioned, DAB is a digitally transmitted sound.
As it doesn’t use radio waves, it can be regarded as a broadcast channel, just like on your TV. A DAB+ radio is a receiver for these channels. It lets you switch between radio stations instead of having to scan for the exact wavelength (FM) that matches your location.
What does DAB mean on a radio?
Digital Audio Broadcast, (DAB) Radio uses digital technology to distribute your favourite radio stations. Due to the digital method of broadcasting, more stations including unique digital only stations are available in digital clear audio. DAB+ enables even more radio stations to be broadcast.
What are the disadvantages of DAB radio?
Drawbacks or disadvantages of DAB – Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of DAB : ➨DAB interference is more irritating/disruptive compare to FM interference. ➨Batteries used by DAB radios drain faster compare to AM/FM radios. ➨During poor signal reception, DAB radios create gurgling or squelching sound.
What are the benefits of DAB radio?
What are the advantages of a DAB radio? – As long as you are in the broadcasting area, the sound quality is crystal clear and free of any static noise. You can choose from many more stations and profit from automatic station search. Furthermore, DAB radio is more energy efficient than internet radio or FM radio.
Can DAB radio receive FM stations?
Most DAB+ digital radios can also receive analogue FM, and some AM. However, where DAB+ coverage is available, you’ll always be able to hear your favourite AM and FM stations simulcast on DAB+ in digital quality sound.
Is FM better than DAB?
This article is about the DAB standard. For digital audio broadcasting in general, see Digital radio, Official DAB+ logo Official DAB logo (1990s—2018) A Pure branded DAB receiver Digital Audio Broadcasting ( DAB ) is a digital radio standard for broadcasting digital audio radio services in many countries around the world, defined, supported, marketed and promoted by the WorldDAB organisation. The standard is dominant in Europe and is also used in Australia, and in parts of Africa and Asia ; as of 2022, 55 countries are actively running DAB broadcasts.
- DAB was the result of a European research project and first publicly rolled out in 1995, with consumer-grade DAB receivers appearing at the start of this millennium.
- Initially it was expected in many countries that existing FM services would switch over to DAB, although the take up of DAB has been much slower than expected.
As of 2023, Norway is the first country to have implemented a national FM radio switch-off, with others to follow in the next years. In recent years, DAB has become the most popular radio listening platform in Norway, Switzerland and the UK, and has become a requirement for all new cars sold in the EU since 2021.
The original version of DAB used the MP2 audio codec ; an upgraded version of the system was later developed and released named DAB+ which uses the HE-AAC v2 (AAC+) audio codec and is more robust and efficient. DAB is not forward compatible with DAB+. Today the majority of DAB broadcasts around the world are using the upgraded DAB+ standard, with only the UK, Romania, Brunei, and the Philippines still using a significant number of legacy DAB broadcasts.
DAB is generally more efficient in its use of spectrum than analogue FM radio, and thus can offer more radio services for the same given bandwidth. The broadcaster can select any desired sound quality, from high-fidelity signals for music to low-fidelity signals for talk radio, in which case the sound quality can be noticeably inferior to analog FM.
- High-fidelity equates to a high bit rate and higher transmission cost.
- DAB is more robust with regard to noise and multipath fading for mobile listening, although DAB reception quality degrades rapidly when the signal strength falls below a critical threshold (as is normal for digital broadcasts ), whereas FM reception quality degrades slowly with the decreasing signal, providing more effective coverage over a larger area.
DAB+ is a ” green ” platform and brings 85 percent energy consumption savings compared to FM broadcasting. Similar terrestrial digital radio standards are HD Radio, ISDB-Tb, DRM, and the related DMB,
Can I use my DAB radio abroad?
Can I take my DAB digital radio abroad and still listen to the same stations? No. DAB digital radio is a terrestrial technology using land-based transmitters. You can only listen to stations when you are within their transmission range. If I take my DAB digital radio abroad, will I be able to pick up foreign DAB services? Yes.
- In the UK, DAB services are broadcast on a band of spectrum called Band III.
- Many European countries also use Band III, although some use a different band of spectrum called L Band.
- Some countries, such as Germany, use Band III in one part of the country and L Band in another.
- If the receiver you are using is designed only to pick up Band III, then it will work in other countries using Band III and you will be able to listen to local DAB services.
If it is a dual-band receiver (that is, designed to work on either Band III or L Band) then it will pick up any DAB stations being broadcast on either Band III or L Band abroad. If you specifically want a receiver that will work both in the UK and Europe, then make sure before you buy that it is a dual band receiver.
Why is DAB radio signal so poor?
Transmitter faults By using our Transmitter Checker, you can check which DAB radio services are available at your location. It will also show you any transmitter faults. Currently it reports on network DAB stations only; Local and Nations radio faults are not included.
Works and Warnings Check whether there are any known works or warnings that might be causing the problem. Tuning DAB uses multiplexes to group services together. The BBC network stations, e.g. BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 4 are grouped together in a single multiplex. Nations and Local radio services are carried on a mix of commercial multiplexes.
Try switching your radio on and off. If you still have a problem use the ‘autotune’ function to re-tune. If this does not work, a full re-scan might be needed. Check your radio manual for specific instructions on doing a full re-scan. Further information on tuning your DAB radio can be found by visiting the Get Digital site or see our DAB tuning guide,
Portable Radios Ensure the telescopic/integrated aerial is fully extended. Try moving the radio around to see if you can find a better position where you get good reception of all the stations you want to listen to. In most circumstances the supplied telescopic aerial should be perfectly adequate, and as a rule of thumb DAB aerials tend to work best when vertical and extended at least 35 cm.
If your radio reception is poor then you could consider an external aerial for best reception quality. Even in good areas an external aerial will guarantee optimum performance and will also ensure consistent listening quality. Many Digital radios have a signal strength display which enables you to position the Radio for the best reception (usually a number of blocks) as a guide of reception quality.
Unfortunately, some radios are less sensitive than others and need careful positioning to work reliably. If your radio displays signal strength, use this as a guide to ensure the best position. Our DAB installation guide provides further information. External aerials It is important to check the cables and the aerial for damage and that they are operating correctly.
Digital Radio: DAB+, what about it?
Make sure any cables between your radio equipment and aerial are connected securely. For further information see our DAB installation guide, Damaged Cables Water can get into external cables and can cause reception problems. To rule this out see our guide on water damage to cables,
Car Radios Radio reception can drop out when on the move due to changes in topography. See our car radio guide for more information. Weather Radio signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure. The only solution is to wait for the weather to change, you should not re-tune during this time.
Our information on h ow clear skies and fine weather can affect your radio reception may be useful, please see our weather guide. Lost reception of one or more station within a multiplex If all other stations are working ok and you have just lost one station.
The problem could be due to a number of reasons, the station may have stopped broadcasting or have moved multiplexes rather than a radio fault. All of the stations in one multiplex should be behaving the same way. Interference If you are still having problems, it is possible an unwanted signal is the cause.
For information on the symptoms of interference see our sister website RTIS, Qualified Installer The BBC cannot recommend individual installers. The CAI ( Confederation of Aerial Industries ) is a recognised trade body which will be able to put you in touch with one of their members in your area.
Does DAB radio need wifi?
Digital radio is broadcast from a transmission site and does not need an internet connection. Digital radio is free. You simply need to check that digital radio services are available in your area and then buy a digital radio (also called a DAB+ receiver).
Is DAB obsolete?
Not so fast on FM switch-off: DAB not so hot say small broadcasters – READ MORE Switching to DAB+, the argument against goes, would make many older receivers obsolete. While that’s entirely true, it’s an argument that doesn’t seem to have fazed proponents of a complete switch to digital radio, which would obsolete millions more FM and AM sets.
- DAB has finally achieved a reasonable household penetration in recent years, with 62.3 per cent of adults claiming (PDF) to own a set, but it’s unlikely that many households have more than a couple of DAB radios that would need replacing.
- With a substantial number of those sets sold since DAB+ was a requirement, it might not be too traumatic to plan a switchover – after all, some of that first-generation kit will be a decade or more old by now.
A move to DAB+ could also help solve one of the other problems facing a digital switchover – capacity. There’s simply not enough of it for all the current analogue stations to make the switch. There are no upgrade plans, however, and with no more expansion of DAB looking likely, those for whom sound quality is important will need to listen to digital radio via other means – the internet, Freeview or satellite.
Does DAB use more power than FM?
BBC research shows DAB is the most energy-efficient radio platform 11.11.2020 by WorldDAB
- At last week’s General Assembly, the BBC’s Sustainability Data Scientist Chloe Fletcher looking at the energy footprint of BBC radio.
- Using the BBC’s listening figures from 2018, the research compared the energy consumption of the BBC’s radio stations across all analogue and digital platforms.
- The research – which compared AM, FM, DAB, IP and DTV radio services – found that DAB radio services have the lowest energy consumption per device hour, and determined that in the long-run, retaining DAB and IP only would lead to the largest energy savings.
- Annual energy consumption by radio platform
According to the results of the research, FM had the highest levels of energy consumptions, claiming around 31% of the total energy. AM had the lowest at 8%, while DAB had about 20%.
- However, as pointed by Fletcher, not all platforms were used equally in 2018, and this particular figure did not take into account the usage of each individual platform, with FM and DAB having a much higher listening share than other platforms – particularly AM and DTV.
- FM uses 40% more energy per hour than DAB
- When looking at energy consumption levels per device per hour, the research indicated that DAB radio services have the lowest energy consumption compared to other platforms, at 9-Watt hours (Wh).
- The study also found that FM radio services use approximately 40% more energy per hour than DAB – “mainly because of the higher power consumption of the FM transmitter network”, as well as the fact that “DAB radios tend to have a lower standby power on those devices” said Fletcher.
- DAB and IP – the most efficient long-term solution
- The research modelled a variety of scenarios to determine where exactly energy could be saved, and while most scenarios showed energy saving potential, retaining DAB and IP – and switching off analogue services and – led to the largest energy saving by far.
- The study also underlined the importance of reducing our electronic devices standby energy consumptions, as these are the biggest contributors to the total energy consumption.
- Chloe Fletcher speaking at the WorldDAB 2020 virtual General Assembly
- Spreading the word
- This work forms part of the BBC’s commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of media services and technology through the BBC Greener Broadcasting strategy.
By taking a system-wide approach, the BBC has highlighted the complexities across the radio chain and potential interventions to reduce the negative environmental impacts within it. The findings of this research are now being shared far and wide to educate the community and seek change through industry collaboration. : BBC research shows DAB is the most energy-efficient radio platform
Why are DAB radios so expensive?
Q. Does DAB radio work anywhere? – A: No. This is because DAB radio signals are transmitted through special DAB transmission towers, which are more expensive to purchase and maintain compared to FM transmitters. Also, DAB network coverage is not as widespread as that of FM, although many countries are taking significant steps to improve this.
Where is DAB radio use popular?
DAB+ is the most widely adopted digital radio standard worldwide, on-air in more than 40 countries including Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Norway, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Netherlands, Hungary, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa to name just a
What to look for when buying a DAB radio?
Snooze button – Essential for a bedside DAB radio, this allows you to snooze an alarm. Typically, snooze is set for nine minutes, with increasing shorter intervals between button presses. Look for one that’s easy to use – a simple task that some of DAB radios make surprisingly difficult.
Is DAB radio popular?
Rajar listening data published on 19 May 2022 confirmed the predominance of digital radio platforms in the United Kingdom –
Digital listening share increased to a new record of 67.9%, up from 64.5% in Q4 2021, boosted by the growth of online listening including via smart speakers. Digital reach is also at a new record with 42 million adults, or 75% of the population, tuning in via a digital platform each week, up from 40 million or 72% in Q4 2021. Digital platforms now account for 72% of all commercial radio listening and 65% of all BBC radio listening. Listening via DAB remains the most popular platform for radio listening, accounting for 41% of all listening and 60% of digital listening while listening via DTV accounts for 4.5% of all listening and 7% of digital listening. Listening via analogue platforms now accounts for under a third (32%) of all radio listening. Digital listening in home increased to 72%, up from 69% quarter on quarter, and digital listening in car increased to 54%, up from 51% quarter on quarter.
Small-scale DAB The Ofcom small-scale programme is extensive and will potentially see the launch of up to 200 small-scale multiplexes throughout the UK over an extended period of 10 years. The first small scale DAB multiplex launched on 10 December 2021, after several years of trials.
- The multiplex, managed and operated by Teesside firm MUX ONE, was launched in Tynemouth and South Shields in the north east of England, and sees 13 stations launched with more to follow in the coming months.
- In a second round of licensing, Ofcom has awarded 17 new small scale multiplex licences, taking the total to 42.
It has also published a review of its first two rounds of licensing, Ofcom small-scale licensing roll-out timetable:
September 2020: Round One licences advertised July 2021: Completion of Round One licence awards August 2022 – January 2023: Deadline for Round One multiplex launches
June 2021: Round Two licences advertised (North west England and north east Wales ‘macro area’) May 2022: Round Two licences awarded November 2023: Deadline for Round Two multiplex launche
January 2022: Round Three licences advertised Autumn 2022: Round Four licences advertised
Last update: 26.04.2021 – older versions Current UK population coverage is:
98% for national BBC stations 91.5% for national commercial stations. National commercial stations launched across Northern Ireland for the first time in summer 2013 91% local DAB coverage
DAB coverage expansion
A major two-year programme of DAB coverage build out has completed and included doubling the number of local DAB transmitters (around 200 new transmitters) to get local DAB to FM equivalence, over 162 new transmitters for the BBC national network to expand it from 95% population coverage to 97%, and more transmitters for the national commercial network, Digital One. The launch of 435 new national and local DAB transmitters bring 10 million more adults into coverage for local DAB stations and 1.5 million more adults into coverage for BBC national DAB stations. This build-out programme focused on the UK’s major road network and the local DAB expansion alone brings 7,000 kilometres of the UK road network into coverage for local DAB stations and 2,300 kilometres of roads for the BBC national DAB stations. As the new digital transmitters became operational Digital Radio UK updated the consumer facing postcode checker on the Digital Radio UK website
Second National DAB Multiplex – Digital Two UK media regulator Ofcom accepted the Sound Digital consortium’s bid to run the new Digital Two national commercial DAB network. The consortium is made up of Bauer Media Group, UTV Media and Arqiva (who own and run Digital One).
- The second national DAB digital radio multiplex sits alongside the existing Digital One network, and all the local digital radio platforms that currently operate.
- Digital Two features an additional 15-18 new DAB stations with potentially up to 30% of the network using DAB+.
- The new digital-only stations launched in early 2016.
The launch of the new digital radio stations and the Digital Two network will significantly increase demand for DAB digital radios. Last update: 10.03.2021 – older versions In this country there are
National multiplexes : 3 Regular Regional multiplexes : 10 Regular Local multiplexes : 51 Regular and 10 Trial
on air. Please note: (a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date. (b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.
Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
---|---|---|---|
DAB programmes | 335 | 160 | 495 |
DAB+ programmes | 9 | 47 | 56 |
Total | 344 | 207 | 551 |
Last update: 28.10.2021 – older versions EECC implementation Following the launch of a consultation on behalf of the Department for Transport, in August 2020 the necessary legal regulations were approved by Parliament to support the mandating of the fitment of digital radio in passenger vehicles in the UK.
- The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 were laid before Parliament on 7th August 2020 and the Order comes into force on 1st September 2020.
- This implements the provisions in Article 113 of EU Directive 2018/1972 (the European Electronic Communications Code (“EECC”)) covering the compulsory fitment of digital radio in passenger vehicles, meaning cars and buses (see regulation 22).
The requirement comes into effect from 21 December 2020. More information is available here Service Following Arqiva, Global Radio, Bauer and Digital Radio UK have pioneered the launch of service following in the UK. Service following is part of the Digital Radio Tick Mark minimum specifications and is present for Global Radio on all ensembles carrying Global’s services – Capital, Heart, XFM, Gold and Classic FM, and for Bauer on all ensembles carrying Hits Radio.
The AA fielded a piece of online research into digital radio in cars and received a creditable 29,000 responses. The survey found that 91% of drivers listen to broadcast radio in their car, 22% of all drivers have digital radio in their car and 86% of drivers were highly satisfied with their digital radio. Most drivers without digital radio were not considering buying an adapter but were either waiting to buy a new car or for the switch-off of the FM services. There is clear price resistance to buying car adapters.53% of drivers without digital radio would consider buying a car adapter, but only if the price was under £100.4% would pay over £100 and 43% would not buy an adapter.51% of drivers were aware of radio switchover. Internal research conducted by broadcasters indicates that most people think radio switchover will happen in the next 5-10 years. The research confirms the high level of consumer satisfaction with digital radio in cars and highlights the importance of having more affordable adapters available.
Last update: 28.10.2021 – older versions Digital radios are available through a large number of high street and online retails at varying price points of GBP20 upwards. A variety of digital radios can be viewed on the Digital Radio UK website. DIGITAL RADIO TICK MARK In June 2014 Digital Radio UK launched the Government/Industry Digital Radio Tick Mark.
- The “Tick Mark” managed by Digital Radio UK on behalf of industry, provides consumers with certainty and reassurance that the products and services that they are buying are future-ready and will enable them to receive the available DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations.
- From a supply chain perspective, the Tick Mark ensures a specified quality and functionality threshold and will likely drive sales in the UK.
The Tick Mark is relevant for both the domestic (home) and in-vehicle markets. In order to be granted use of the Tick Mark, manufacturers and installers must meet specific criteria. In terms of the in-vehicle market, for example, service following and traffic announcements are included as part of the minimum specification. Last update: 31.07.2018 – older versions In 2014 the BBC announced that they carried out a technical trial for DAB+ in Scotland. Small-scale low cost DAB The UK has several hundred small-scale FM and AM stations. While the existing DAB infrastructure is suitable for larger stations, the wide area coverage and relatively high costs of the existing country-wide structure are not suited to the needs of small-scale broadcasters.
Following an initial trial carried out in Brighton during 2012/13, Ofcom was granted funding by the UK Department for Culture Media and Sport to test the technical scope for small-scale low cost DAB.60 stations are now broadcasting on digital radio for the first time using ‘small scale DAB’. Ofcom is currently running DAB technical trials in ten areas across the UK.
The first small scale digital radio took to the air in Brighton in July 2015 with the UK’s first local DAB multiplex. According to Ofcom, if the trials are successful, UK listeners could benefit from hundreds more local and community radio stations on digital radio in the future.
The trials bring radio listeners a range of small and local stations on DAB digital radio for the first time. Funded by the UK government, it is hoped that this new approach could provide an affordable route for smaller stations to broadcast on DAB digital radio. The first trial launched in Brighton and Hove at the end of July 2015 and the remaining eight launched shortly after.
They were originally to broadcast for a nine month period and then Ofcom worked with Government to decide the next steps and the trial were extended for two years. The areas to benefit from the ten licences are Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove, Aldershot, Bristol, Norfolk, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Cambridge, bringing no less than 60 new DAB stations offering a wide variety of services including small local, community and student stations.
There are currently over 90 (see image right) small commercial and community stations broadcasting in the 10 trial areas of the Ofcom small-scale DAB trials which have been extended by 2 years. Angel Radio announced a further expansion to the number of stations on the Portsmouth DAB Mini-mux to 18 with more than half of the stations (10) broadcasting in DAB+. There are 15 stations broadcasting in the Manchester trial and Niocast have a waiting list and are planning to launch additional services. DCMS are progressing plans for a new licencing framework to support the extension of the existing trials and expansion to other areas across the UK.
How do I know if my radio is DAB?
DAB+ is an upgraded version of DAB digital radio that gives you access to even more stations. To receive DAB+ stations you must have a DAB+ enabled radio. If you recently bought a new DAB radio, then the chances are you already have DAB+. The simplest way to be sure is to look for the Digital Radio Tick Mark on the radio or its packaging.
Where does DAB radio get its signal?
How does digital radio work? – Digital radio, therefore, broadcasts radio via a network of terrestrial transmitters. It has no frequencies, which means audio interference does not happen. Digital radio works by combining MPEG and COFDM technology. MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group – the body that sets up the standards) is an audio compression system.
- The system basically discards sounds which the listener cannot hear.
- These include very quiet sounds which might be masked by louder sounds.
- Thus, the digital technology does not have to broadcast as much digital information.
- CODFM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology eliminates interference, which would disturb an FM reception.
So, the whole country can use the same frequency. Digital radio combines several service areas in a multiplex so that radio stations do not need their own frequency. The multiplex can carry audio, data and an in-built protection system against transmission errors.
- Digital radio therefore sends program signals broken into fragments and digits.
- The transmitter sends each fragment many times so there is a lower change of the signal being lost.
- The receiver then pieces together the fragments who have had a successful journey to make an uninterrupted program signal.
: How Does Digital (DAB) Radio Actually Work? – Exaget
How many stations does DAB radio have?
National stations – Digital Radio UK There are 54 stations broadcasting on national DAB/DAB+. Some are your old favourites broadcasting in great digital quality. Others are new stations which are only available digitally. Please remember this is a comprehensive list of national DAB stations, but not all the stations will be available where you live.
Why does FM radio sound so good?
‘FM, which stands for Frequency Modulation, has better sound quality due to higher bandwidth. Also, the way the audio is encoded for FM makes it less sensitive to interference from electrical activity from storms or electrical devices than AM.
Why does FM radio sound better?
Each FM station is allocated 150 kHz of bandwidth, which is 15 times that of an AM station. This means that an FM station can transmit 15 times as much information as an AM station and explains why music sounds so much better on FM.
Which DAB is the best?
Crystalline – There are many types of dabbing extract, but crystalline is the most potent variety of all. This is extremely pure cannabinoid crystals, often sold as a single chunk, which can then be broken down. It can also be sold in its broken-down, powder form, which is white and extremely dense. Crystalline is expensive, but it’s prized for its purity.
Will a DAB radio work anywhere?
Are there any disadvantages to DAB radio? – Sometimes, yes. Coverage isn’t as good in some areas as others and there can be some problems with reception in places compared to FM or AM. Having FM, AM, and DAB on your car stereo gives you more options for finding your favourite radio station at the optimal audio quality wherever you are.
How do I know if my radio is DAB?
DAB+ is an upgraded version of DAB digital radio that gives you access to even more stations. To receive DAB+ stations you must have a DAB+ enabled radio. If you recently bought a new DAB radio, then the chances are you already have DAB+. The simplest way to be sure is to look for the Digital Radio Tick Mark on the radio or its packaging.
Why is DAB radio signal so poor?
Transmitter faults By using our Transmitter Checker, you can check which DAB radio services are available at your location. It will also show you any transmitter faults. Currently it reports on network DAB stations only; Local and Nations radio faults are not included.
Works and Warnings Check whether there are any known works or warnings that might be causing the problem. Tuning DAB uses multiplexes to group services together. The BBC network stations, e.g. BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 4 are grouped together in a single multiplex. Nations and Local radio services are carried on a mix of commercial multiplexes.
Try switching your radio on and off. If you still have a problem use the ‘autotune’ function to re-tune. If this does not work, a full re-scan might be needed. Check your radio manual for specific instructions on doing a full re-scan. Further information on tuning your DAB radio can be found by visiting the Get Digital site or see our DAB tuning guide,
- Portable Radios Ensure the telescopic/integrated aerial is fully extended.
- Try moving the radio around to see if you can find a better position where you get good reception of all the stations you want to listen to.
- In most circumstances the supplied telescopic aerial should be perfectly adequate, and as a rule of thumb DAB aerials tend to work best when vertical and extended at least 35 cm.
If your radio reception is poor then you could consider an external aerial for best reception quality. Even in good areas an external aerial will guarantee optimum performance and will also ensure consistent listening quality. Many Digital radios have a signal strength display which enables you to position the Radio for the best reception (usually a number of blocks) as a guide of reception quality.
Unfortunately, some radios are less sensitive than others and need careful positioning to work reliably. If your radio displays signal strength, use this as a guide to ensure the best position. Our DAB installation guide provides further information. External aerials It is important to check the cables and the aerial for damage and that they are operating correctly.
Make sure any cables between your radio equipment and aerial are connected securely. For further information see our DAB installation guide, Damaged Cables Water can get into external cables and can cause reception problems. To rule this out see our guide on water damage to cables,
Car Radios Radio reception can drop out when on the move due to changes in topography. See our car radio guide for more information. Weather Radio signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure. The only solution is to wait for the weather to change, you should not re-tune during this time.
Our information on h ow clear skies and fine weather can affect your radio reception may be useful, please see our weather guide. Lost reception of one or more station within a multiplex If all other stations are working ok and you have just lost one station.
The problem could be due to a number of reasons, the station may have stopped broadcasting or have moved multiplexes rather than a radio fault. All of the stations in one multiplex should be behaving the same way. Interference If you are still having problems, it is possible an unwanted signal is the cause.
For information on the symptoms of interference see our sister website RTIS, Qualified Installer The BBC cannot recommend individual installers. The CAI ( Confederation of Aerial Industries ) is a recognised trade body which will be able to put you in touch with one of their members in your area.
Do DAB radios still work?
What is DAB+ and how is it different to DAB? – DAB+ uses the same transmitters and broadcast technology as DAB – it simply converts sound to digital in a different way. In order to receive DAB+ stations, your radio must be DAB+ enabled. Some older DAB digital radios will only receive DAB stations, but the majority of newer devices can receive DAB+ stations as well as DAB.