Thetownend.com

80% => The Nevillew General Discussion Forum => Topic started by: nochee on Monday, January 18, 2010, 06:01:06



Title: Digital Radio help
Post by: nochee on Monday, January 18, 2010, 06:01:06
Im going to buy 1 today for the sole purpose of listening to the Tuesday night town games that will be coming up over the next few weeks.
Before i do (and maybe waste my money) is it possible to listen to the games on Radio Swindon using a digital radio or do they turn it off like they do on the internet? Also as i am working in Wantage, will i be able to pick a radio swindon signal  up? I drove to work straight from the ground on Saturday and managed to keep a signal on my car radio, just about!

Any ideas, anyone?


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Saxondale on Monday, January 18, 2010, 07:40:53
I listened to saturdays game on digital radio so no problem with that.  Im in chippenham so no idea about signal in your area Im afraid.


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Batch on Monday, January 18, 2010, 10:16:14

If Wantage is on the fringe of reception its going to be impossible to answer "will it work?".

But you shouldn't assume that just because you could just about pick it up in the car on FM that you will be able to with digital radio. FM and DAB may have different ranges. Perhaps make sure the radio you buy has FM as well as DAB if it doesn't increase the price too much.

As said, BBC Wilts does transmit everything on DAB that they do on fm so no problems!


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 00:23:07
If Wantage is on the fringe of reception its going to be impossible to answer "will it work?".

But you shouldn't assume that just because you could just about pick it up in the car on FM that you will be able to with digital radio. FM and DAB may have different ranges. Perhaps make sure the radio you buy has FM as well as DAB if it doesn't increase the price too much.

As said, BBC Wilts does transmit everything on DAB that they do on fm so no problems!

Agree with Batch, get one that has FM too.


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: nochee on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 06:54:47
Picked a sony DAB from currys last night, with FM for a mere £50. It can recieve BBC Wilts in Wantage and works perfectly fine with my new wireless headphones.

While the rest of my work colleagues listen to Man ure v Man shitty i will be tuned into the Town. (if its not called off)

3-0 Swindon BTW


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Simon Pieman on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 07:41:28
Why does football manager come with DAB radios? ;)


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Ardiles on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 09:17:44
FM and DAB may have different ranges.

Does anyone know what the approx range of a DAB signal is, then?  I'm about 60 miles from Swindon (probably more like 50 as the crow flies), so well outside of FM signal range for BBC Radio Swindon.  The only commentaries I have been able to listen to are Cup games (via internet) and when we've been playing away and the games have been covered by BBC Radio London.

If there's any chance of a DAB signal in NE Hampshire, I'll be buying a digital radio this afternoon.


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 09:37:00
Not sure of the actual distance the signal reaches but I would think its highly unlikely, I think the maximum distance is around 30 miles but not 100% certain, thats based upon the signal I get in my DAB car stereo.

I know I can't pick up BBC Wiltshire even though I am physically only about 30 miles from the South Wiltshire border but theres a lot of hills in the way to prevent the spread of the signal.

All I would suggest that you find the channel/ofset/ERP details and go into a local shop and get them to test it there for you.


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: sheepshagger on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 09:53:27
I used to have a DAB radio in my Audi before I sold it (worst decision ever to sell it !!) and I always lost BBC Swindon on the M4 at Membury services.  There is a big mast there and it seems to throw the DAB signal elsewhere - you still get DAB OK but lose some of the local stations.....

I would think NE Hampshire is highly unlikely.....


Title: Re: Digital Radio help
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 10:31:17
I think the range of DAB is likely to be less than FM given the low power transmission and as sheepshagger points out overlapping regions.

In fact DAB doesn't really add anything above a decent FM signal.