All posts by Michael Rogers
Below are all of Michael Rogers's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
DAB v FM v AM. I recently took my personal DAB on the train. FM came and went. DAB came and went. AM was the most consistently audible of the three, albeit with variable QRM. Similar observations were made in a hospital, with AM surprisingly good in the evening, with the bonus of some clear European stations. DAB certainly has the potential to provide the clearest reception, but only if there are many and more powerful transmitters carrying at least the national multiplexes - doubtless a top priority in the upcoming mini-budget...
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Port Talbot : Dave Lindsay is correct. Because of local topography, there are four low-power relays in the Port Talbot area. You have probably been receiving the full range of broadcasts from Kilvey Hill, Preseli and/or Wenvoe. Research this website to find the channels for each of these main transmitters which might reach your location. You would then need to experiment by tuning in each channel/multiplex separately (not automatic search or tuning!) and possibly to re-orient your roof-top aerial to point to the main transmitter providing the best signal.
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Zero bit-rate DAB : Are there iron-clad commitments to extend the
DAB transmitter network irrespective of the economic downturn, which will doubtless be with us for some time to come? In many rural areas, DAB reception remains inferior to FM. Crackly AM or swishy FM are not perfect, but vastly superior to zero-bitrate DAB... In terms of "realpolitik", geographically targeted retention of FM would appear to be indicated until DAB de facto offers a better service.
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That is reassuring for the BBC national network, Mark. What are the prospects for Commercial DAB operators? It would appear some are struggling to survive. Some listeners might be willing to forego some sound-alike commercial stations, but BBC local and regional DAB depends on commercial multiplexes. FM reception is very variable. AM reaches parts others cannot reach, but can be noisy, of course! We are considering a new car in 2012. If it has DAB, it will be interesting to see where DAB works - judging by travelling with my personal DAB, there will be little rural joy with local DAB, which is especially valued on the road.
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"An Ofcom statement on local DAB rollout is due before Christmas."
Mark, could you post a link to this as soon
as it is published - thanks!
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German on satellite - any standard digital satellite receiver will receive the full range of FTA German digital channels from 19°E. The existing dish, cable and LNB may not need replacing. HD is available FTA on a few channels, others require subscription.
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Germany is switching to digital-only.
You can replace your old analog box with any
basic digital one to get all the free-to-view
programmes in standard definition. HD requires
an HD box - and subscription to get most of the HD channels. Ihre Suchmaschine bemuehen, um mehr Infos zu finden!
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Betamax : Yes, it was superior to VHS. In the commercial world DAB operators are constrained to maximise profit or go under, so they are constrained to maximising revenue without losing audience. Where there isn't "enough audience", they won't even be offering mono!
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This exemplifies one of the ongoing shortcomings of DAB : in many locations the radio has to be placed where there is a signal, not where one would like it to be. A roof-top or exterior aerial may be the only solution even - fine for a fixed hi-fi system, but less so for portable reception as hitherto. Still, you are fortunate if you can receive local BBC via DAB at all. If
an operator deems the target area unremunerative to operate a commercial mux : no local BBC. I trust there will be an ad-hoc solution in the medium term.
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Monday 14 November 2011 10:24AM
DAB v FM v MW: BBC local radio is not receivable on FM or DAB in many remote, valley and coastal areas, only on AM (and webradio). DAB in-car reception is very patchy in many rural areas. Our AM transmitter is due to be closed down. Predicted advertising revenue informs commercial DAB operator plans for reduced coverage on DAB for mobile and portable reception - which BBC local radio could piggyback, but with reduced coverage compared to FM and AM now. Better AM than nothing at all! Better low bit-rates than nothing at all! The economic downturn may well disadvantage reception in rural areas.