Roberts Unologic Radio, DAB and DAB+ (DAB Plus)

As you know from previous posting, I really like the Roberts Unologic DAB radio (see 13 July 2012, http://m0bgr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/roberts-dab-radios.html). So much so that I recently bought another as a gift for someone.

 

Roberts Unologic DAB / DAB+ Radio

I was surprised, when I opened it, to see a label on the front saying DAB+ (DAB Plus, a more advanced digital broadcasting system).

Label on New Roberts Unologic Radio

 

Regular readers will know I have written previously about DAB vs DAB+ (see July 2012 http://m0bgr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/fm-switch-off-ofcom-response.html and July 2011 http://m0bgr.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/fm-radio-switch-off.html ) I strongly believe UK, by being an early adopter of digital radio, has chosen the wrong system.  With its proposals to drop FM broadcasting (and so free up the spectrum for sale) UK Government is trying to force us to all use the unsatisfactory and obsolete DAB broadcast standard when a much better DAB+ system is widely used in other parts of the world.

I emailed Roberts to ask them what was going on and here is their reply:

“All our new production will have the combination of DAB/DAB+

If the box and the information states DAB/DAB+/FM then it does have all these functions.

The UK uses DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) mode and other countries such as Australia, Switzerland, Germany use the DAB+ mode.

As we now supply these countries it was necessary to add DAB+ to the formats although there are no written in stone plans to change to DAB+ in the UK in the near future.

The operation of the set would be the same with either DAB or DAB+”

It is good to see that at least one manufacturer, Roberts, has seen sense and is now including DAB+ capability in its new radio production. Taking this reply at face value, it seems that the user does not need to do anything to tune these radios to DAB+ broadcasts when they become available.

So, for purchasers of new Robert’s products there is apparently an upgrade path when UK government is forced to abandon DAB and go over to DAB+. I am not sure about other manufacturers or older radios, but please post any information you have here. I also wonder how many people have been conned into buying radios that will become obsolete by the ‘I love DAB’ publicity campaigns over the last few years.  

FM Switch Off - OFCOM Response

In August ast year I published a post on the governments plans to switch off FM radio in UK(http://m0bgr.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/dab-radio-switching-off-fm-and-am.html ). At that time OFCOM was holding a 'consultation' and they have now responded to its findings. Their report is at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/dab-coverage-planning/statement/statement.pdf .

As predicted, OFCOM have swept aside all objections to the plan and asserted their previously held position that DAB is very wonderful so we don't need FM (subtext, the government have told us to sell the spectrum, just like they are now selling part of 143MHz - 156MHz band).

I have nothing against DAB radio, but I do not see it as a replacement for FM. It is technically inferior in many ways, particularly its coverage charateristics. DAB is based on obsolete technology and UK will have to adopt DAB+ or DRM at some point. DAB and FM do not use the same spectrum so, unlike the TV digital switch over, there is no need to close FM to allow expansion of DAB. Reading the consultation responses, the radio industry seems distinctly like warm about  switching to DAB.

If you use FM radio in UK, please let OFCOM know what you think.

Roberts DAB Radios

We have recently bought two new DAB radios.

The first was a Roberts Ecologic 1. We bought this for the house we own in Wells-next-the Sea in Norfolk.

This is an area where we are told that DAB radio signals are not available (http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/images/coverage-map.gif) but with the Ecologic 1 we are able to get good signals from two multiplexers and one more when the radio is upstairs. By comparison, my older Sony XDR-S55 radio does not get anything there on DAB.

The Ecologic 1 is a small DAB/FM radio with ½ Watt audio output. This is fine for normal listening, but is not really powerful enough for use in the kitchen when there is lots of background noise. Otherwise, it is a very good radio with excellent mono (stereo with headphones) sound quality. It is well designed and very easy to use. The only thing I don’t like is that it has push-button volume control, but this is a matter of personal preference.

The Roberts Unologic DAB / FM radio is a bit larger but with 1 Watt audio output it is better for use in normal areas. This radio also has excellent sensitivity, but I have not yet done a side-by-side comparison. The Unologic has an analogue volume control, which I like. The controls are large and easy to use so it would be suitable for old or infirm people.

DAB radios eat batteries, but at long last, a DAB radio designer has realised that we don’t want to run our radios from mains power or change the batteries every 10 hours or so. The Roberts Ecologic 1 and Unologic both have built-in battery chargers so can be run on AA alkali batteries (if you are very rich) or rechargeable batteries. The only criticism I have of the design is that it is not possible to charge the batteries while listening.

All round, these are both excellent radios and well worth the recommended price of £60. It is particularly suitable if you want to use it in a poor signal area.

FM Radio Switch Off

OFCOM are now planning the FM radio switch off (and AM radio switch off) and turning the whole of radio broadcasting in UK over to DAB. Their consultation is tucked away on an obsure part of their web site:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/dab-coverage-planning/

This is clearly a cynical ploy to make sure they only get comments from industry insiders who want the switch over to go ahead. If you are opposed to the FM switch off, you should comment on this consultation and here are a few reasons why you should:

• DAB does not work - the UK has chosen the wrong system (DAB Plus is better, but far from perfect) so you are likely to wind up with a poorer radio service than you currently enjoy on FM.
• DAB radios eat batteries, so it will cost you far more and we will damage the environment.
• If you enjoy local radio coverage from an adjacent area, that does not officially cover where you are, you will loose this (that's what OFCOM say).
• Extending DAB nationally requires lots of new transmitters. This is never going to happen so large areas will be left with no coverage. Spend on new transmitters will be based on population covered, fine if you live in a big city, but what happens when you go on holiday?
• Speaking of which, UK DAB does not work in foreign countries and few countries are following UK to rush headlong into digital broadcasting.

Go to the OFCOM site now and let them know your thoughts. I am not opposed to DAB, it has some merits, but I am opposed to switching off FM and AM broadcasting in UK.
Dave

DAB Radio

Just to make a change from Amateur Radio topics, this post is about domestic digital, DAB Radio.

Those of you listening to the BBC, in UK, can hardly have missed the adverts encouraging us all to rush out and buy a DAB radio for Christmas. There is of course a hidden agenda - the Government is just itching to grab back the FM broadcast band so it can sell it off. The have set a threshold of 50% of all households owning a DAB radio so they can name a date when FM transmissions can cease - even this very low criterion has not been met yet. These are my thoughts:

• The UK Government have chosen the wrong system for DAB. They should have chosen the newer DAB Plus, which is used elsewhere in Europe. DAB and DAB Plus are not compatible so if they try to adopt DAB Plus, then all existing radios will be useless.
• In my experience, DAB offers no better quality than FM, provided the signal strength is good.
• DAB radios eat batteries so realistically have to be run from a mains power supply (My Sony XDR-S55 DAB radio is particularly bad, it runs off AA batteries and draws 200mA, which means about a 6-hour battery life. To make matters worse, this radio has an FM band but it continues to draw 200 mA even when switched to FM).
• Most of the country, by area, either cannot receive any DAB signal or can only get a few stations. So it is not clear to me how DAB can be viable for car radios or those who live in remote areas. I did not find much evidence of a plan to improve this coverage rapidly.
• Your DAB radio will not work abroad, apart from in a very few countries that use the UK system.

I do not want to be totally negative about DAB - there are some positives. If you live in a good signal area then you will get a lot more stations. Whether they are worth listening to is a matter for you! Some radios also give a text display, giving limited information about the programme you are listening to.

So should you ask Santa for a DAB radio in your stocking? If you are sure you live in a good signal area, you want the extra stations and you don't mind running the radio from the mains, then go ahead. BUT - do make sure your retailer will give you a refund if your radio does not receive the stations you expect - the coverage maps can sometimes be optimistic. You also need to be prepared for DAB to be phased out in favour of DAB Plus. This is not likely, in the short term, but you will almost certainly need to invest in a new radio if this happens.

I do not have any experience of DAB car radios, but I would be quite sceptical about their performance if you ever travel far from the large urban centres. Please post a reply if you use DAB in your car.