DAB in Ireland: RTE multiplex closed

Andy From Sligo

got internet radio ... but that eats into data plan for a lot of people . - Imagine a lot of cars in the last 5 years with DAB radio's fitted and now not being able to pick up any DAB at all in Ireland now - just interferenced FM signal for radio stations.

Hope someone else takes up the DAB service in Ireland if they can and get it up and working again ... and this time nationwide!

lertsnim

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

but that eats into data plan for a lot of people

What would be the average data allowance these days?

Andy From Sligo

lertsnim wrote: »

What would be the average data allowance these days?

not sure to be honest - on a couple of forms i have read in the small writing that even with 'all you can eat data' that it has an asterix and says something like 'fair usage rules apply' still - i was surprised like that because you would think there were no restrictions at all

Jessex

Closing obsolete dab is the best decision RTE has ever made but that's not to say that radio on the internet is the answer. DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) is on the way giving all DAB benefits at low cost as DRM+ in VHF /FM band. See Cambridge Associates sub $10 low cost/energy module due 3rd quarter 2021

Jessex

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

got internet radio ... but that eats into data plan for a lot of people . - Imagine a lot of cars in the last 5 years with DAB radio's fitted and now not being able to pick up any DAB at all in Ireland now - just interferenced FM signal for radio stations.

Hope someone else takes up the DAB service in Ireland if they can and get it up and working again ... and this time nationwide!

Closing obsolete dab is the best decision RTE has ever made but that's not to say that radio on the internet is the answer. DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) is on the way giving all DAB benefits at low cost as DRM+ in VHF /FM band. See Cambridge Associates sub $10 low cost/energy module due 3rd quarter 2021

Johnboy1951

Jessex wrote: »

Closing obsolete dab is the best decision RTE has ever made but that's not to say that radio on the internet is the answer. DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) is on the way giving all DAB benefits at low cost as DRM+ in VHF /FM band. See Cambridge Associates sub $10 low cost/energy module due 3rd quarter 2021

Apparently full wave band receivers for DRM are available in far East for around €60 and cheaper.

One might wonder if RTE are considering moving in this direction ..... digital radio on SW, LW and FM bands?

Gerry Wicklow

Killing DAB was a cost cutting exercise. I can't see them investing in any new tech in the near future. Based on their track record to date they would buy some obscure or obsolete system unique to here and incomparable with any other European or UK standard. Me? Cynical? What gave you that idea?

galtee boy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Apparently full wave band receivers for DRM are available in far East for around €60 and cheaper.

One might wonder if RTE are considering moving in this direction ..... digital radio on SW, LW and FM bands?

RTE don't have a pot to piss in, excuse the expression. You're lucky they are keeping FM going, never mind investing in DRM. It's all down to population and making money, last time (pre Covid ), I was in London, a scan on my brother's DAB radio, brought in 92 stations, all the national stations, all the local stations, stations from neighbouring counties, a bucket load of niche stations and many more. When you are broadcasting to 8 to 10 million people in a 50 mile radius, its a different market.

L1011

DRM was dead on arrival, over a decade ago. If the current resurrection attempts in India work we can look at it in another five years.

Hotblack Desiato

Believe it or not, Lidl are selling a DAB+ radio this weekend :rolleyes:

Sam Russell

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Believe it or not, Lidl are selling a DAB+ radio this weekend :rolleyes:

I presume it is FM also.

Edit: Just checked - 50 DAB+ and 50 FM

We never needed 50 pre-sets for either DAB+ or FM, and DAB was very restricted to Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

Johnboy1951

Sam Russell wrote: »

I presume it is FM also.

Edit: Just checked - 50 DAB+ and 50 FM

We never needed 50 pre-sets for either DAB+ or FM, and DAB was very restricted to Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

I read 25 DAB + 25 FM presets

Sam Russell

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I read 25 DAB + 25 FM presets

You are right - I read 50 pre=sets. Must learn to read the small print better.

Mearings

They would be better off selling decently priced internet radios.

Charles Slane

Who knows how long it will last, but the FreeDAB service is currently providing a good selection of alternative listening. I'm particularly enjoying Jazz Radio Ireland.

StreetLight

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Believe it or not, Lidl are selling a DAB+ radio this weekend :rolleyes:

So what? FreeDAB are on the air in Dublin and DB Digital Broadcasting still have an interest in obtaining a DAB licence.

SPDUB

StreetLight wrote: »

So what? FreeDAB are on the air in Dublin and DB Digital Broadcasting still have an interest in obtaining a DAB licence.

You're not really on the air in Dublin when you can't be heard in a fair chunk of the city

Hotblack Desiato

Mearings wrote: »

They would be better off selling decently priced internet radios.

Although internet radios are, almost without exception, horrible to use and useless for elderly etc.

Hotblack Desiato

StreetLight wrote: »

DB Digital Broadcasting still have an interest in obtaining a DAB licence.

They won't get one though.

Johnboy1951

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Although internet radios are, almost without exception, horrible to use and useless for elderly etc.

How old would you have to be to make an internet radio useless?

kazoo106

Definitely doesn't seem an option
https://core.cro.ie/e-commerce/company/528414

doughnut2000

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

How old would you have to be to make an internet radio useless?

In a world of smartphones, not very old at all.

Sam Russell

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

How old would you have to be to make an internet radio useless?

Well, I have a Roberts internet radio which I find next to useless.

It only logs onto the WiFi when the IR option is selected and by the time it has logged on. I have forgotten why I selected IR.

It is not easy to find any station - or the particular one I want to listen to - there are too many to just scan like I can with FM. Even DAB is a disaster, because of much the same reason - it takes too long to switch it on, and then too much time to change stations. Then there is the delay - one or two seconds compared to FM.

FM and AM work perfectly - why change for a lesser solution.

doughnut2000

Sam Russell wrote: »

Well, I have a Roberts internet radio which I find next to useless.

It only logs onto the WiFi when the IR option is selected and by the time it has logged on. I have forgotten why I selected IR.

It is not easy to find any station - or the particular one I want to listen to - there are too many to just scan like I can with FM. Even DAB is a disaster, because of much the same reason - it takes too long to switch it on, and then too much time to change stations. Then there is the delay - one or two seconds compared to FM.

FM and AM work perfectly - why change for a lesser solution.

Exactly. Plus if you do want Internet Radio, smartphones are more convenient. Most are loud enough on their own, and bluetooth speakers work well and are inexpensive.

decor58

Sam Russell wrote: »

Well, I have a Roberts internet radio which I find next to useless.

It only logs onto the WiFi when the IR option is selected and by the time it has logged on. I have forgotten why I selected IR.

It is not easy to find any station - or the particular one I want to listen to - there are too many to just scan like I can with FM. Even DAB is a disaster, because of much the same reason - it takes too long to switch it on, and then too much time to change stations. Then there is the delay - one or two seconds compared to FM.

FM and AM work perfectly - why change for a lesser solution.

I use an old smart phone like a tablet/screen to connect via a phono lead with a Roberts sound 100, tune in radio, Spotify. I was going to buy an Internet radio, the old phone wasn't being used,

Johnboy1951

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

How old would you have to be to make an internet radio useless?

Sam Russell wrote: »

Well, I have a Roberts internet radio which I find next to useless.

It only logs onto the WiFi when the IR option is selected and by the time it has logged on. I have forgotten why I selected IR.

It is not easy to find any station - or the particular one I want to listen to - there are too many to just scan like I can with FM. Even DAB is a disaster, because of much the same reason - it takes too long to switch it on, and then too much time to change stations. Then there is the delay - one or two seconds compared to FM.

FM and AM work perfectly - why change for a lesser solution.

I have two IR only radios and find them quite useful.
No LW, MW, FM or DAB ....... just IR on those two.

All other radios have gone into disuse in preference for the IR radios.

Maybe I am not old enough to make them useless

Sam Russell

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I have two IR only radios and find them quite useful.
No LW, MW, FM or DAB ....... just IR on those two.

All other radios have gone into disuse in preference for the IR radios.

Maybe I am not old enough to make them useless

My Roberts radio has an appalling user interface. A simple upgrade of the software would help, but there is no way that will happen. The Wifi could be connected on power up which would help.

peking97

Sam Russell wrote: »

My Roberts radio has an appalling user interface. A simple upgrade of the software would help, but there is no way that will happen. The Wifi could be connected on power up which would help.

Like johnboy I also have two IR radios. Both are PURE brand. The Evoke Flow and the Evoke F3. I use both regularly and the F3 maintains the WiFi connection even in standby so comes alive much quicker than the Flow.

Sam Russell

peking97 wrote: »

Like johnboy I also have two IR radios. Both are PURE brand. The Evoke Flow and the Evoke F3. I use both regularly and the F3 maintains the WiFi connection even in standby so comes alive much quicker than the Flow.

I have a number of problems with radios that stem from abysmal design. Why does radio have to be such a poor relation to other technology?

When the VCR was ubiquitous, it was trivial to program a VRC to record any TV programme, but no such ability existed to record a radio programme. No radio receiver exists on the market to receive Saorview audio channels, nor to receive satellite audio. Is it so hard to do?

Currently, 88.5 MHz is very weak at my location, and repeatedly on reduced power or no power. The normal aerials cannot be positioned to get usable signal to noise. Is there a problem with the Three Rock transmitter?

As for DAB, why was DAB+ dabbled with at all when DAB had never been deployed nationally or even planned? If the DAB was experimental/trialled, why not just upgrade DAB to DAB+? Why was the bit rate so low when the band was so underused?

It was so amateur.

Johnboy1951

When the VCR was ubiquitous, it was trivial to program a VRC to record any TV programme, but no such ability existed to record a radio programme. No radio receiver exists on the market to receive Saorview audio channels, nor to receive satellite audio. Is it so hard to do?

No.
I have repurposed a cheap receiver (SD) that was bought from Lidl or Aldi years ago to do this for satellite radio.
I don't use it now, as any device that can connect to my LAN can play radio and TV from Satellite and terrestrial.