Allotments 4 All

In 2015, the analogue signal will be switched off and all radios will run digitally. This is not a new announcement but the government accepts that not only are many people unhappy about the plan, but that many don't even know it's going to happen. Which is why they have launched the 'Radio Amnesty'.

Their initiative, which has been compared to the car 'scrappage' scheme, allows people to trade in their old wireless to get a discount on a new DAB model. The scheme runs from 22 May to 26 June.

jimtheworzel

If you like plays and comedy, you'll wonder how you lived without Radio 7!

Its not much of a good deal.

Meanwhile, amid all the fanfare about its scheme, the government seems no closer to a solution for one significant factor: the unreliable and flaky performance of the digital signal. Until this is remedied, why should the millions of radio listeners in the UK take the plunge and scrap their beloved old wireless

I know mate, digital radio in a car is terrible! Also, since you can pick up one for home use for under £35, it's not quite the same as forking out for a car is it?!

Interestingly, the reason they want us to switch has nothing to do with giving us a better service - it is because it would free up the bandwidth so they can use it for something else.

It's even more fun than that!
DAB is in fact "old hat" and has been around for years.
DAB+ was released as a standard in 2007 and offers better quality than DAB..
While most newer sets can be upgraded to recieve DAB+ most older sets will become redundant!  Yes your DAB radio could become obsolete - there are no DAB+ broadcasts yet but there will be!!!

So if you buy a DAB Radio you should ensure future use by asking if it is DAB+ compatible..

Oh, and I satill can't find a battery powered waterproof(ish) one for the bathroom! Very few things are as relaxing as listening to The Archers in the bath!

Quote from: OllieC on May 20, 2010, 19:58:15
Oh, and I satill can't find a battery powered waterproof(ish) one for the bathroom! Very few things are as relaxing as listening to The Archers in the bath!

Agreed!!  ;D

How about this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CDF6D6/radionow-21

It isn't quite true to say that the analogue signal is being switched off in 2015.

If 50% of listening is digital in by the end of 2013, and if signal coverage matches FM, then in 2015 the stations which are currently transmitted on both DAB and FM will move to DAB only. It is intended that the FM band will then be used for small local stations. At the moment, it seems very unlikely the 2013 target will be met.

As current FM stations will survive until at least 2015, I wouldn't worry about DAB for now, particularly as the evidence shows that it has LOWER sound quality than FM and that some stereo programmes are actually broadcast in mono, as shown by the BBC's own website. And of course, many people have had trouble getting a decent signal where they live.

If you're interested in the new digital stations, Freeview and the internet are much better ways to listen to them, with better sound quality. FM won't change until at least 2015, and given that most other countries have already abandoned the British version of DAB, what's the chance something much better won't be available by then?