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Ofcom DAB switchover coverage planning proposals

Ofcom has recently published some details of how the DAB network can be improved to match the coverage of the current FM network.

Ofcom has recently published some details of how the DAB networ
published on UK Free TV

The proposals cover the most pressing needs for the DAB network:

  • provision of local radio DAB for those areas with no current coverage
  • coverage of both homes and in-car use
  • the addition of a new block (5A) that will allow the local radio blocks to expand to fill the "editorial" coverage areas to match the current FM areas
  • the use of 99%/99% DAB prediction for indoor home reception, and normal car use.


Of particular interest are:



Ofcom is asking for responses using this online form: Responding to the DAB Coverage Planning consultation by 5pm on 14 September 2011.

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Comments
Thursday, 30 June 2011
S
Steve
sentiment_satisfiedGold

11:35 AM

Interesting

Thanks Brian.

Am I to take it that anywhere with "indoor" also has "Mobile"?

Don't live in Wales seems to be the message!

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Steve's 1,173 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

11:49 AM

Steve: I understand that "home reception" is now to to mean using a "portable set", rather than the old way of using a roof mounted aerial.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
S
Steve
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:30 PM

So if it works indoors with a "portable set" it will certainly work outdoors with a car radio ae? Even a low one in a bumper?

I'm amused at the "old way" - to me the "old way" is AM LW/MW with no Ae at all, except perhaps a long wire for Dx.


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Steve's 1,173 posts GB flag
S
Steve
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:32 PM

...or for FM in the early days, a wire dipole stuck to a window!

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Steve's 1,173 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

1:02 PM

Steve: What I mean is that the new prediction datasets for FM and DAB are much more realisitic in terms of the receiver equipment and using an aerial.

The older prediction models were much more "idealistic", but for the digital radio switchover they are now using predictions based on "real world" installs and equipment.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
J
Jonathon Green
3:20 PM
Braintree

I really hope that they never get DAB coverage to match existing FM coverage. For me that would mean going from interference free reception of a full set of BBC and commercial channels to a handful of station in hissy mono with frequent interruption by passing taxi drivers and aircraft...

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Jonathon Green's 12 posts GB flag
Jonathon's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Friday, 1 July 2011
M
michael
sentiment_satisfiedGold

9:57 AM

I have yet to look at the Ofcom documentation, but at first sight it looks as if they are now being more realistic about propagation and coverage at 225MHz. If we then accept the slightly inferior audio quality compared to FM (low bit-rates, DAB instead of DAB+), the main issues will be resolved. We will then need low-consumption DAB radios for battery use and more one-click memories. Hopefully, there will be enough remaining on FM/AM for the millions of existing radios to be saved from landfill.
I look forward to further information on these aspects!

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michael's 869 posts GB flag
S
Steve
sentiment_satisfiedGold

2:57 PM

If they just leave R4 on FM I, and my dozen or more FM receivers, will be content.

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Steve's 1,173 posts GB flag
W
wesley dilworth
8:41 PM
Newtownabbey

i have a panasonic dvd and vhs recorder with freeview however ichanged my tv to a sony with freeview. is it possible to remove freeview from the sony tv as ican no longer record using my panasonic with function menu remote control

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wesley dilworth's 3 posts GB flag
wesley's: mapW's Freeview map terrainW's terrain plot wavesW's frequency data W's Freeview Detailed Coverage
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:32 PM

wesley dilworth: I might be misinterpreting what you are meaning, but if you are wanting to record Freeview from your Sony TV using your Panasonic DVD then you "might" be able to do that, as it all depends on the spec of your Sony's scart sockets.

This is where it would have been of assistance if the model number of the TV in question had been mentioned.

Just out of curiosity, is the actual Freeview receiver on the Panasonic no longer operable? (EZ45/49?)

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
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