DAB Radio

[Steveatki]

The press are saying that analogue radio will end in 5 yrs, and that DAB will be the only option. What options will those of us with analogue comand systems have?

 

[AANDYY]

I can't see that at all, at least 10 years I reckon, most probably 15-20.
I have a few DAB sets and it's tech is not good enough (earlly 1990's format mp2!) to many station crammed into the bandwith = poor sound quality.

 

[Steveatki]

Millions of motorists face £250 bill to switch car radio when airwaves go digital | Mail Online

I know the mail is somewhat reactionary but is this true or not?

 

[trapperjohn]

I think it is generally accepted that the switch over will be delayed for yonks.

The Mail will claim it as a "Victory" when it gets delayed.

 

[npuk]

Do a search for DAB, its been discussed before.

 

[Wilsonuk]

I bought a PURE DAB set for about £80 which is supposed to transmit digital to your analogue unit, and it's shockingly bad - it just doesn't pick up digital channels at all, proper waste of money.

 

[davidjpowell]

The Insignia has DAB, and a clever FM link, that switches back to FM, where available when signal is poor, which is a fair amount of time, especially in towns amongst tall buildings.

I can't see five years being a sensible time frame.

 

[richard]

I bought a PURE DAB set for about £80 which is supposed to transmit digital to your analogue unit, and it's shockingly bad - it just doesn't pick up digital channels at all, proper waste of money.

They are really really sensitive to aerial placement and also the aerial has a very cheap connector (2.5mm audio connector).

The aerial needs to be placed away from the metal A pillar of the car.

But for £80 theres no room in their pricing for a decent antenna, and that is the first of the problems. The next one is that the DAB coverage isnt great and of course weather affects it (clear blue sky = bad)

Richard

 

[Colin_b]

I live in Cumbria. FM coverage is OK, mostly. DAB in a car is pointless until you reach the M6.

 

[Neiltodd]

no DAB here at all

 

[fuzzer]

one coverage map

http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/images/coverage-map.gif

 

[Satch]

DAB? BBC? Conspiracy of misinformation?

Arrgggh do not even get me stared. Too many vested interests, bureacratic nonsense, pure BS and a technological dinosaur. 2015? No chance, 2020 at the earliest and not the DAB we are currently told is is the best and only offering.

Pass the bucket.