All posts by Michael Rogers
Below are all of Michael Rogers's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
11.919GHz carries Canale 5, Rete 4 and Italia 1 - updated on 10.01.13. 11.992GHz carries RAI 1,2,3,News. Some programmes are still free-to-view, others are free for viewers with a Tivu box, which requires registration with a codice fiscale in Italy. See earlier posts here or search Italian websites for more information.
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It would be more honest of the powers-that-be to give us scientifically verified statistics on ground-floor reception on a portable FM/DAB radio via telescopic aerial. Of course, not all radios are equally sensitive, but this would be a criterium closer to real life. I could well imagine nobody is interested in such "honesty". Not least as they will now be scratching their skulls to figure out how to squash DTT into
ever less spectrum without increasing CCI...
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For reception of UK channels via FreeSat, research future footprints on dedicated websites. As Les Nicol says, new Astra narrow beams will only be receivable on larger dishes - greater than 90cm in some parts of the Continent. Assuming you don't need subscription channels (trickier), any quality FTA satellite receiver will work with a dish of sufficient diameter.
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The DAB+ spec is indeed a good sign. What fate awaits the many DAB receivers - not cheap - bought in good faith? Perhaps the number of DAB muxes will dwindle to an "acceptable" miniumum to allow space for more DAB+ hif?
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I am encouraged by the insight evinced by these knowledgeable responses. As long as the mainline programmes remain available on DAB, there will be little objection to broadcasters duplicating and expanding into DAB+ and any other future platform. The present state of play suggests that our local radio faces demise on AM and FM, despite little hope of it becoming locally receivable on DAB. DRM on medium-wave would have delivered the best compromise to most listeners. But I digress... Webradio is an alternative, however buffering, unportable PCs, router and phoneline hiccups render webradio seriously inferior to good-old medium-wave steam radio. BUT there is hope : if I were to win the lottery, I would be able to stream or download everything on 4G - assuming I get a solid 4G signal. Hey-ho...
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If you have a south-facing balcony with a clear line-of-site to 13°East, you might be able to set up an unobtrusive, small dish or flat rectangular aerial on a movable tripod. You presumably know that you would need a codice fiscal and tivu-box to receive all FTA programmes. Without the codice some prime-time programmes would not be available. This would need to be taken inside frequently to demonstrate that it is not a "fixed" dish. If you have no balcony, you could do the same through an open window (not through glazing) - weather permitting :-) Failing this, a good broadband speed would allow you to get some channels by streaming.
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"Neverwhere" - I missed it, thinking it must be a prophetic vision of the future of local radio...
Seriously : are there any binding official updates on when and where local BBC radio will be on DAB? Fundingis reportedly ringfenced.
Plan B to receive BBC local radio is a laptop with mini-hifi in a backpack to receive webradio via wifi. The official coverage maps assume Norfolk topology to confirm we can even now receive local BBC on DAB. G4 doesn't know where we are. And we couldn't afford the streaming rates if ever it did.
Steam had a lot going for it!
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Terrain and freqency are significant factors determining signal penetration. LW and MW get almost everywhere, FM achieves reasonable coverage. DAB at twice FM frequencies will always struggle and need more relays to match FM coverage. Even then, there will be more dead-spots than now. Too late now, but DRM on MW (and LW) would have offered the best service to almost everywhere. Webradio is neat, but, compared to the portable transistor radio, relatively expensive and less portable.
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Wednesday 19 December 2012 5:50PM
The "bottom line" remains current, projected and experienced coverage in fringe areas. When DAB radios equal AM/FM radios in terms of reception,
portability, cost and running costs, DAB will triumph. In the wider context, I received an encouraging, balanced response from BBC Radio Devon:
Thank you for writing to Matt Woodley at BBC Radio Devon about our MW service. I have made a copy of your note which we will keep on file for future discussion about our frequencies. I agree that the 801 [kHz]output is a well-used and important part of our service to those living in Devon's rural communities and while there are no alternatives on FM or DAB, potentially turning off MW is something we need to review carefully. Please be assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and discussions continue.
Mark Grinnell | Editor, BBC Radio Devon