Can I receive stations from outside Ireland on my DAB receiver?
No. Unlike satellite radio or Internet radio, DAB digital radio is land based and only operates within its transmission range. UK services, including the BBC will not be available on DAB digital radio set here in Ireland as there is no capacity or regulatory framework to facilitate them and vice versa for Irish stations in the UK
Can I take my DAB digital radio abroad and still listen to the same stations?
No. DAB digital radio is a terrestrial technology using land-based transmitters. You can only listen to stations when you are within their transmission range. Some English language radio stations are available via satellite radio. For more information visit www.astra.lu.
If I take my DAB digital radio abroad, will I be able to pick up foreign DAB services?
Yes. In Ireland, DAB services are broadcast on a band of spectrum called Band III. Many European countries also use Band III
Can I use my existing FM or TV aerial?
Possibly not, but give it a try. Some DAB stations can be received by plugging a standard FM or TV aerial into a DAB radio, but the best reception will always be via a DAB aerial. There's no guarantee your existing aerial will work.
Do I need a new aerial for my car?
Yes. Numerous car manufacturers now offer the option of installing DAB radios in your car. Rather than buying a car and then buying the appropriate aerial make sure to ask your car dealer if there is the option of buying a DAB radio installed model.If you don't have a car with a DAB radio installed you can a) buy a special DAB in-car radio and install it. b) get a combined FM/DAB roof mounted aerial for your car and replace your existing aerial with it, or c) you can buy a separate DAB aerial to sit alongside your existing FM aerial. There are two types of DAB aerials available for the car, either a magnetic mount for steel panels, or an active glass strip aerial which is an adhesive amplified antenna for glass mount. Many existing FM aerials are "helically wound". A helically wound aerial is short and stubby and is usually roof mounted. It is most often fitted to newer model cars and is designed to amplify the FM signal so may not work effectively with a DAB radio.
What sort of aerial do I need?
Portable radios usually feature either a standard telescopic aerial, or with hand held models, the aerial is usually built in to the headphones. Your digital radio hi-fi tuner will come with an indoor aerial, either a ribbon dipole or a monopole (half dipole). The aerial supplied should work well if you're within DAB coverage area, however if you're listening in a basement, or your building is steel-framed, or reinforced concrete, you might need an external aerial. As a rule of thumb, if you already have poor FM or mobile phone reception, chances are you'll need an external aerial. But first, see if placing the radio near to a window improves reception. To obtain the best results from an external aerial, either use a dipole (omnidirectional aerial - should work well for moderate to strong signal levels provided it is vertically polarised) or, in exceptional circumstances, a Yaggi (which has a much higher gain than a dipole, but is directional - best suited where reception is poor and all transmitters are in the same direction). The Yaggi aerial must be pointed at the transmitters. All DAB aerials must be vertically polarised. The higher the aerial is mounted, the better reception you will receive.
Will analogue radio be switched off?
No, DAB and analogue radio will sit side by side for the foreseeable future.
Where can I find out programme listings for digital radio stations?
www.rte.ie/digitalradio
In much the same way as few national newspapers or listings magazines carry programme details of all the satellite TV channels, there is little printed information on DAB programmes currently available. However, many DAB stations list their programme details on their websites. All the RTÉ digital radio stations listings are available at www.rte.ie/digitalradio. EPGs will also become more widely available on radios soon and in due course some national listings magazines may include programme listings.
What is DAB Text?
All DAB digital radio receivers come with a small screen. This screen serves two purposes: first it lets you scroll through a list of stations to find the one you want, and then, once you've settled on a station, it displays a line of scrolling text generated by that radio station.
Most stations already use scrolling text to broadcast their name and music format. Some also identify the track and artist you're listening to, tell you what songs are coming up next, deliver news headlines, sports results, contact web addresses and telephone numbers.
Source: RTE
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