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DAB radio reception ?

shabbyroad · 2003-11-08 21:40:37

[I've tried searching for DAB on all forums but the dumb four-letter-minimum cut me off in my stride] I've become hooked on BBC Radio 6 via the web (and of course Sky Digital). Has anyone managed to receive UK DAB stations in Ireland ? If adding a decent antenna is likely to work then I'll give it a lash. Or am I asking…

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08-11-2003 10:40pm

#1

shabbyroad

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[I've tried searching for DAB on all forums but the dumb four-letter-minimum cut me off in my stride]

I've become hooked on BBC Radio 6 via the web (and of course Sky Digital).

Has anyone managed to receive UK DAB stations in Ireland ?
If adding a decent antenna is likely to work then I'll give it a lash.
Or am I asking too much of the laws of physics ?

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#2 08-11-2003 10:48pm
Paddy20

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As you say ALL DAB Radio broadcasts are available Free to Air via any 'Sky Digibox & Sat Dish' through your TV here in Ireland. I have mine set up via my surround sound set up as well, ruddy brilliant.

So I have no intention of spending money on one of those new DAB Radios.

I cancelled my Sky subscriptions a long time ago, but still get a load of TV & DAB Radio channels free.

P.:ninja:

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#3 08-11-2003 11:01pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by shabbyroad

Has anyone managed to receive UK DAB stations in Ireland ?
If adding a decent antenna is likely to work then I'll give it a lash.
Or am I asking too much of the laws of physics ?

You can't receive British stations in Ireland. In northern ireland there's only about 8-10 DAB stations you can receive and most of them are BBC.
That's why i've never seen DAB radios on sale in the republic

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#4 08-11-2003 11:18pm
sixtysix

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Boots in liffey valley have dab radios for sale

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#5 09-11-2003 11:46am
shabbyroad

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I'd like to be able to listen in a couple of rooms in the house where I don't have a TV. I do have satellite connections in those rooms though - perhaps I should just get a couple of used digiboxes and active speakers.

...off to ebay so....

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#6 10-11-2003 7:07pm
BrianD

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They say that the audio is not so good on DAB. Might be better on Sky which is a relay of some of the services that are available on the digital multiplexes.

Just shows you that the UK retailers don't care about the Irish market ... selling products that can't function over here!

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#7 10-11-2003 7:30pm
shabbyroad

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did a bit more reading up on DAB and it appears that all is not it seems to be. apparently there's loads of compression on the audio so the dynamic range is not all it should be. claims of cd-quality sound are apparently <gasp say it ain't so that advertisements lie!> nonsense.

off to ebay for a couple of cheap digiboxes I go

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#8 10-11-2003 8:13pm
DMC

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I wonder how much Boots are selling them for?

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#9 10-11-2003 8:26pm
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I do recall someone in sligo receiving DAB from NI, who posted over in ICDG terrestrial I think.

I listened to a portable DAB radio in central london in selfridges.
It was on the fifth floor or thereabouts but well inside the building.
Some of the channels were breaking up, although that was a dab that was tranny size and with just it's own telescopic aerial.

If they are selling them in boots in liffey valley and they are not too expensive,I might get one for the crack as I have a VP Vhf aerial on a mast which might bring something in.

mm

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#10 11-11-2003 10:23pm
sixtysix

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Boots have dab radios for 161 euros and 268 euros.
The dearer one has fm as well.

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#11 11-11-2003 10:31pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by sixtysix
Boots have dab radios for 161 euros and 268 euros.
The dearer one has fm as well.

WHAT! I was looking at a really good one in the BBC shop in Belfast today for £85! (Less than 130 euro)
Reception was grand for me when I tried it.
I think I want one :-/

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#12 11-11-2003 10:40pm
qBot

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How bout irish stations like radio 1 and today fm. can u pick them up with dab, or do they not transmit in ireland

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#13 11-11-2003 10:50pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by cuan
How bout irish stations like radio 1 and today fm. can u pick them up with dab, or do they not transmit in ireland

I think RTE *may*. Not sure. Do a search on their website perhaps.

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#14 12-11-2003 9:00am
DMC

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RTÉ did tests in late 1999, but its all off since.

I have a Psion Wavefinder DAB radio for the PC, it has yet to see a signal.

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#15 12-11-2003 1:55pm
qBot

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That's a bit lame really. We seem to always get things last in this country, broadband etc etc.

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#16 13-11-2003 3:11am
sceptre

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Originally posted by eth0_
That's why i've never seen DAB radios on sale in the republic

PC World in Limerick have some. And some DAB PC cards.

As you'll (correctly) point out, that doesnt make any sense at all given that you certainly can't pick up any DAB stations down here.

(I've no idea on price. I was in there to buy cd labels and I hadn't time to start laughing)

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#17 13-11-2003 3:26am
dub45

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For most serious radio listeners in England DAB has been a big letdown thats according to the various hi fi magazines as the radio stations have tended to use the advent of digital radio to increase the number of actual stations rather than the bit rate.

Anyways just a reminder as people often forget all the BBC radio stations well up as far as Radio 5 and the world service as well as various others are available on FM for anyone who has ntl.

You can even get them on a cheapo 'transistor' by running a wire from the cable box to the fm aerial itself just use a crocodile clip to clip it on.

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#18 14-11-2003 12:13am
eth0_

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Originally posted by sceptre
PC World in Limerick have some. And some DAB PC cards.

As you'll (correctly) point out, that doesnt make any sense at all given that you certainly can't pick up any DAB stations down here.

This is absolutely ridiculous. They're selling something that....just plain doesn't WORK in Ireland. I know DAB radio's can pick up normal Fm stations but that's not why people buy them.

I'd be interested to go into PC World and act the n00b and see if they try and tell me I can pick up DAB in the republic. Pffth pc world.

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#19 15-11-2003 12:51am
monument

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Originally posted by dub45
For most serious radio listeners in England DAB has been a big letdown thats according to the various hi fi magazines as the radio stations have tended to use the advent of digital radio to increase the number of actual stations rather than the bit rate.

Do you think most people like digital TV for the extra channels or because it looks a tad sharper?

What I’ve read of DAB, if it was in Ireland it would be easy to bring a channel nationwide, so the like of Phantom could possibly broadcast throughout Ireland - correct me if I’m wrong. This would explain why RTE would not like DAB.

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#20 15-11-2003 3:35am
dub45

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Do you think most people like digital TV for the extra channels or because it looks a tad sharper?

Hmm good question:) had not really thought about it. Probably a bit of both I would imagine. Most people are not interested at all in the technical side of these things so I assume that they dont even think about these things. On mature reflection I would go for the extra channels.

What I’ve read of DAB, if it was in Ireland it would be easy to bring a channel nationwide, so the like of Phantom could possibly broadcast throughout Ireland - correct me if I’m wrong. This would explain why RTE would not like DAB.

I dont imagine this is the main reason I would imagine its a cost thing and that RTE did not see much in it for themselves.

I dont know if the Government here is pressing RTE in the same way that I think the Gov in England is pressing for the FM frequencies to be released.

It would probably cost RTE a lot just to try to educate people about DAB and they probably thought that with the high cost of DAB radios and the huge installed base of FM radios that very few people would bother buying them at least until the cost came down considerably. I dont think there is much advantage to DAB for most people anyways so why should RTE bother when they are under pressure for money in so many other areas.

Are there any DAB radios for under 50 euros yet?

When you think about it RTE has plent of competition anyway so I dont imagine that they would be greatly concerned with the impact of Phantom nationwide.

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#21 15-11-2003 3:43pm
monument

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Originally posted by dub45
When you think about it RTE has plent of competition anyway so I dont imagine that they would be greatly concerned with the impact of Phantom nationwide.

Well, Phantom is just an example, of what I know of DAB, it would be cheeper and easer for any station to go nationwide

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#22 15-11-2003 7:35pm
dub45

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Irrespective of the means (either fm or dab) any station that wanted to go nationwide legitimately anyways would require a license. are you talking in terms of it being easier for say pirate stations to go nationwide via dab?

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#23 17-11-2003 1:20pm
DMC

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interesting... http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125569

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#24 17-11-2003 1:25pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by dub45

Are there any DAB radios for under 50 euros yet?

Ha, I wish. Can't pick one up for less than STG£80

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#25 17-11-2003 2:33pm
monument

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Originally posted by dub45
Irrespective of the means (either fm or dab) any station that wanted to go nationwide legitimately anyways would require a license. are you talking in terms of it being easier for say pirate stations to go nationwide via dab?

No, on the grounds it would be harder to refuse such, less costly, and not as technical hard. (Again correct me if I’m wrong – I’ve only read a limited amount on the subject)

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#26 19-11-2003 3:07pm
sceptre

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Originally posted by eth0_
This is absolutely ridiculous.

Of course it is. They were selling DSL modems in there before the first exchange went live too.

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#27 19-11-2003 3:09pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by sceptre
Of course it is. They were selling DSL modems in there before the first exchange went live too.

Before the first _business_ exchange went live? When was this?

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#28 19-11-2003 3:11pm
eth0_

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Originally posted by monument
No, on the grounds it would be harder to refuse such, less costly, and not as technical hard. (Again correct me if I’m wrong – I’ve only read a limited amount on the subject)

I'm guessing DAB broadcasting equipment costs a HELL of a lot more than regular analogue. If it were that easy, there'd be rafts of DAB stations in the UK :-)
I don't get the 'harder to refuse' thing...afaik you're assigned an FM frequency aren't you? Same as a normal station?

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#29 19-11-2003 4:11pm
monument

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Originally posted by eth0_
I don't get the 'harder to refuse' thing

DAB has more room for stations then FM, right?

Originally posted by eth0_
If it were that easy, there'd be rafts of DAB stations in the UK :-)

More BBC stations, and at least one London station has gone nationwide. I'll look into it when I get time. You have to take into account DAB is only new.

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#30 19-11-2003 6:07pm
dub45

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DAB has more room for stations then FM, right?

Now I am a very untechnical person just want to make that clear but from what I understand organisations are awarded a space say ( I think its called a multiplex) and within that theres a certain amount of room. there is then the tradeoff between the number of stations that broadcast and the quality that they broadcast at. Sounds familiar? When BBC started DAB apparently quality was wonderful because theyused high rates for broadcasting. Just like ripping cds higher rate you rip at higher the quality but more space required.

The quality of BBC radio has apparently gone down as they have increased the number of stations in the multiplex.

So its not jsut a matter of broadcasting nationallly you would need acess to a muliplex first.

If I am misleading anyone here I apologise now:)

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#31 20-11-2003 2:39am
sceptre

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Originally posted by eth0_
Before the first _business_ exchange went live? When was this?

Can't remember even a rough date eth0, but it was about a month ot two before the first (business) exchange went live (wouldn't have noticed except for having to read all the IOFFL posts). Of course the trials were running then but I've not heard of /anyone/ buying a modem or router for the trials.

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