All posts by Michael Rogers
Below are all of Michael Rogers's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Mark, thanks for your detailed response, which does clarify and confirm my assumptions. Heart has a local FM relay, which BBC Radio Devon strangely does not! Eventually DAB relays will hopefully fill in the shadowlands, but that may be some time off. I will not be buying a quality DAB receiver until coverage is implemented. Many budget DAB receivers do not have an external antenna socket. But I have a soldering iron... I look forward to Brians development of DAB coverage maps and may install a DAB yagi on the roof for experimental purposes.
| link to this comment |
Brian, your OBE is in the post... This is good stuff - it can only get better! I have just checked Kilvey Hill and Wenvoe on my cheapo from that place wot rhymes. Only KH and W transmitters register (nowt from Huntshaw Cross). Telescopic antenna only 30cms extended, far side of the house, radio on the floor (sic!). The punch-line : at five times the distance from KH and W, albeit over water, from the outer indoor-reception contours: all stations stable. Overland or at 60mph it would doubtless be less impressive, but even so, not bad. Will Huntshaw Cross ERP be increased? When NowDigital opens up at Huntshaw it might be worth putting up a yagi for tethered domestic fun. For floor-level and 60mph
reception we will definitely need them there DAB infills. On good phones, though not as pleasing and "full" as FM or AAC, audio above 128kb/s is acceptable. With DAB-infills, we should eventually be ok.
| link to this comment |
Postscript : my beloved all-glowing-valves Grundig with magic eye, hefty speaker and beautiful polished wood finish is not happy with the new plasticky on-floor competition. I am going to have to be very diplomatic to keep the peace - and happy glowing :-) I might have to move the no-valves 78rpm grammophone with matching finish in to console it. 78rpm Paul Robeson audio is nearly as good as sub 128kb/s DAB - and definitely more aethestically
uplifting :-)
| link to this comment |
Bitrates - Sequence through "info" on your DAB receiver to display the bitrate and multiplex of each station. Very useful!
| link to this comment |
Comparing the Sussex coast maps with South Wales coast maps and de-facto reception, I could well imagine that reception would be possible way out into the Channel, possibly beyond from a directional DAB aerial. Reports from a boat would be most interesting!
| link to this comment |
Good to see a community-style station on DAB. Loud and clear this side of the water. Technically noteworthy the re-allocation of bitrates - see below.
"Interesting to note that today sees the launch of a new local radio for the South Wales valleys on DAB-only - Mountain Radio. This replaces the AM station that closed a couple of years ago and provides a much-needed community service for the area." http://www.mountainfm.co.uk/" (Mark)
"Space on the otherwise full multiplex has been made available by GMG, which has reduced the bit rate of its Rock Radio and Real Radio services. It launched at 7am today (Wednesday). In related news, Nation Radio has gained permission to drop from 128 k/bits to 64 k/bits on the same multiplex, to allow sister-station Bay Radio to commence broadcasting on the DAB platform using the remaining space." (Radio Today)
| link to this comment |
Good idea, Brian. If only there were more flexibility in "the system"... For example, BBC local radio could do the same and broadcast from Wales to the northern wastes of Devon, thereby reducing the number of infill transmitters required for full coverage. I am impressed with reception from Wales via my DAB cheapo, on-floor with 30cm aerial - much better than expected. Maybe somebody camping in northern France will report back soon!
| link to this comment |
Andrew, check with neighbours on the same communal aerial. Attentuation may well be affecting all multiplexes, but the BBC one will probably be more resiliant, so still perform above threshold. If neighbours experience the same, there may be a fault at the aerial or in the distribution system. It just might be the cranes - observe and log the signal indicator as they move about. If it only affects your reception, the cabling from the distribution box to your wall socket and receiver will need checking.
| link to this comment |
Addendum : some local suppliers claim to get round the codice requirement - and charge accordingly. Research very carefully before committing yourself to this route. If you have access to an address and codice in Italy, this is the best and safest longterm solution. In the meantime, time-restricted viewing with a standard (or cheap) satellite receiver and dish pointed at 13°E would be straightforward. In due time, this box could be replaced with an authorised Tivu one from Italy. See previous postings here.
| link to this comment |
Tuesday 19 July 2011 2:04PM
It can presumably be deduced that:-
1. Eventually 10C with BBC regional radio will cover 93% of the area (or of the population?) of North Devon;
2. Until 93% of whichever is achieved, BBC regional radio will continue on FM;
3. That there will be no guarantee of reception of BBC regional radio if DAB does not reach places that currently only AM reaches.
4. Should NowDigital struggle to retain enough sound-alike broadcasters to fill its multiplex to remain solvent, BBC regional radio would nevertheless continue on 10C.
Clarification would be much appreciated.