Topic ID 4280
Is there a problem with this in the sg13 area or have I bought a crap radio ?
Reply ID 62029
It's rubbish in SG14 too! [:(]
Reply ID 62031
quote:Theres a problem with it almost everywhere.[:(!] It's not your radio, it's the format which is, as yet, imperfect.
Originally posted by warren_peace
Is there a problem with this in the sg13 area or have I bought a crap radio ?
Reply ID 62034
I’m in the SG13 area Warren-Peace. Reception even with a loft aerial is just about ok but not brilliant. My neighbour had a Pure Evoke radio and could get fairly good reception on the ground floor with just the built in telescopic aerial. The Quality of the Receiver does play a big part in the reception. Personally I get virtually nil reception without the loft aerial connected. Incidentally the aerial I have was a very easy to construct & low cost diy project. If you’re into that type of thing I can point you in the direction of the (low cost!) construction details.
Reply ID 62035
The reception is poor at best. I can get maybe 6 stations on my DAB radio at most. I'm in Bengeo by the way.
Reply ID 62036
Im in Bengeo and dont think I can get any stations on DAB
Reply ID 62037
I'm on the South side of the valley and reception is very hit and miss here too. I find reception differs from room to room, from inch to inch and from day to day - depending on atmospherics. Some days it just sounds like gurgling and bubbling. Sometimes I can make the reception better by moving the aerial an inch or two. Very disappointing after all the hype
Reply ID 62042
Have 2 DAB radios one is in an alcove and has a telescopic aerial which makes DAB reception appalling - the other is upstairs and has a wire type aerial and that gets very good reception. (at the top of the hill to the North of Hertford)
Reply ID 62047
Oh bittersweet ! Good to know I haven't bought a crap radio; shane it can't function through no fault of its own. Will this situation improve ever ?
Reply ID 62053
quote:It's a bit like those CD thingys. Remember Tommorrows World claiming they'd not skip or jump, even when scratched and covered in jam? The claims for DAB are about as accurate. Good theory, poor execution.
Originally posted by warren_peace
Oh bittersweet ! Good to know I haven't bought a crap radio; shane it can't function through no fault of its own. Will this situation improve ever ?
Reply ID 62055
Isn't DAB like Digital TV i.e. very directional? Is most of it transmitted from Brookmans Park or does it eminate from somewhere like Crystal Palace- in which case the directional theory might be the reason (hence the need for the Bengeo TV relay mast...) Anyone know?
Reply ID 62060
If you have wifi you'd probably be better of with an internet radio. No reception issues and all the digital stations and more.
Reply ID 62061
We are in Bengeo and DAB reception is good in the kitchen on the built in ariel on a 5 yr of Pure Evoke on the windowsill, all the BBC stations and the ones on the band that includes Planet Rock and Absolute. In other bits of the house it is much poorer.
Reply ID 62065
There's a similar discussion taking place on the Ware Online forum... http://www.wareonline.co.uk/haveyoursay/topic.php?id=3459
Reply ID 62073
I think you will all find a dramatic improvement in reception if you install a loft or external Ariel. Low cost units are available from B&Q etc. No use if you wish to roam from room to room but other wise a worthwhile investment for the benefit gained.
Reply ID 62075
Just be prepared to go through all this again when the second generation (software based) DAB is launched making all existing radios obsolete. The whole thing was rushed through using technology which is inflexible and vastly out of date in comparison to modern AAC encoding and such like. A word of warning about outside aerials, the front end circuitry of many DAB receivers is very sensitive to static, make sure you disconnect during thundery weather. I learnt the hard way [V]
Reply ID 62093
I bought a Pure Evoke DAB radio to use in Bengeo around 4 years ago. Had to get a roof aerial to get decent reception. Still the sound on my 10 year old Denon TU260 FM tuner was far superior. I got really cheesed off with DAB when one of the few DAB radio stations I listened to closed down (TheJazz). Leaving virtaully nowhere to hear proper Jazz (I'm not talking about the awful smooth jazz stuff)- that is apart from the odd programme on Radio 3. Then I hear that the impending launch of DAB+ will make all existing DAB tuners obsolete within a few years. I decided at this point to sell my Pure on eBay before everyone else decided to do the same. Now I listen to Internet Radio whilst cooking - I rigged up some extra speakers from my PC to the kitchen. The choice of stations is mind boggling (see Shoutcast) and the sound quality is often better than DAB (DRAB ?). In the lounge I have linked my TV cable box to a Cambridge Audio Dacmagic and my HiFi - again the sound is far better than DAB.
Reply ID 62268
Should be able to get a strong signal from these 2 DAB transmitters in the valley Brookmans park Harlow (rye hill) and marginal reception from these TX's so an out door aerial is recommended Crystal Palace Croydon Alexandra Palace Remember all DAB signals are vertically polarized!
Reply ID 62298
Has anyone got a wifi / Internet radio? Are they any good? They are expensive (around £150+) but could be the answer in a bad DAB reception area.
Reply ID 62389
i bought a dab, PURE OASIS a few months ago, and have found that i get cracking performance on most stations in the mangrove road area, if that helps,