 |
| DAB
("original flavour") |
 |
| DAB+ |
 |
| Radio Numérique Terrestre - DMB-Radio |
 |
| DMB TV |
Free PURE
DAB+ upgrade
For a limited period, PURE is offering free upgrades to UK customers, unlocking DAB+ reception on compatible radios. A computer with a USB port will be required to perform the upgrade. Check compatability on the PURE website.
|
Own-brand DAB+ radios
In the UK, the last remaining bastion of died-in-the-wool, "original-flavour"-only DAB receivers is the range of own-brand radios sold by the major supermarket chains. Which brand will be last to switch? With the new UK digital radio tick mark now specifying DAB+ capability (among other welcome things) to qualify, it can't be long now. With DAB+ services already on air across the UK, and more certain to follow, Wohnort recommends that the own-brand ranges be avoided until they include DAB+.
Caveat emptor!
|
Cookies
Wohnort does not itself use cookies. However, Wohnort uses Google Analytics to determine the international reach of the website. Google Analytics mainly uses first-party cookies to report on user interactions on Google Analytics customers’ websites. These cookies are used to store non-personally identifiable information. Browsers do not share first-party cookies across domains. Advertisers on Wohnort may also use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse traffic. Advertisers may share information about your use of the site with social media, advertising and analytics partners. If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even to delete cookies that have already been set but you might lose some functions on the websites that you visit. If you continue to use the Wohnort website without altering the cookies settings on your browser, we'll assume that you are agreeing to the use of those cookies.
|
Amazon UK Offers
The button below will search for DAB price reductions on amazon.co.uk. (Wohnort has noticed that Amazon's widget occasionally produces non-DAB results)
|
|
Search for DAB offers:
|
|
|
Remember to select FREE DELIVERY to reduce your costs still further.
|
 |
| Pan-European Specification |
|
To be capable of working anywhere in Europe, a "pan-European" radio needs to be able to receive DAB, DAB+ and DMB-A in Band III and L-band.
|
 |
| Band III |
 |
| L-band |
 |
|
DMB-TH |
 |
|
IBOC
(aka HD Radio) |
 |
|
ISDB-T |
|
|
Ensemble Label
| EId | |
3 Stereo |
 3 Stereo | 3 Joint
Stereo | 4 Joint St.
LSF | 3 Mono | 3 Mono
LSF | 3 Dual
Channel | 1 Packet
Data | 3 Stream
Data | 3 DAB+
(Mode?) + | 3 DAB+
Stereo + | 3 DAB+
Mono + | 3 DAB+
5.1 + | | | IV | TII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archives 2001
December 28th 2001
Teracom, the transmitter network operator in Sweden, has announced it is to scale back DAB transmissions. The reductions will reduce coverage of the country from 85% to 40% of the population. Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö and Luleå will continue to be served.
December 28th 2001
The new weekday pattern of bitrates on the BBC National DAB ensemble is summarised below, based on observations. Colours as per the Snapshots.
|
| | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Radio 1 | 160 | 128 | 160 |
| Radio 2 | 128 | 160 |
| Radio 3 | 192 |
| Radio 4 | 80 | 128 | 80 |
| Radio 4 LW | | | |
| Radio 5 | 80 |
| 5 Live Sport | 80 |
| World Service | 64 |
| BBC Test | 80 |
To clarify a concern evident in the Newsgroups, when Radio 4 LW is not carrying separate programming, the service points to the same audio stream as Radio 4.
Shipping Forecasts not shown.
Corrections and further information welcome!
December 20th 2001
It is reported from France that the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) is to allocate the nine available blocks for DAB in Paris as follows:
Radio France (2 blocks)
and one block each for
CLT UFA (RTL)
Lagardère (Europe 1)
Numericast
Seconde generation
TDF
Towercast
VDL
December 19th 2001
Snapshot of the pilot Netherlands ensemble added.
December 18th 2001
The data service ProgrammeGuide E has been observed back on the ScoreEDINBURGH ensemble.
December 18th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Inverness to Score Digital, a subsidiary of Scottish Radio Holdings, plc.. The ensemble will run on Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Score Digital propose to begin broadcasting in July 2003 (sic). The Authority says the licence award is conditional on the applicant meeting this date.
December 13th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Norwich. The ensemble will run on Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Norfolk. Closing date is Tuesday, 19 March 2002. The Authority expects to award the licence in the early summer.
December 13th 2001
KISS is soon to appear on the Score N.IRELAND ensemble.
December 13th 2001
A fourth DAB ensemble is on-air in Taiwan. PC RADIO is broadcasting five services on Block 10C, including e-learn, which is a Public University learning broadcasting service. PC RADIO has a national concession like the other three ensemble operators, BCC, CBS and UFO. Regional concessions are expected to follow. Digital radio may receive a further boost from a buddhist sect which is seeking to broadcast round the clock on DAB. The sect has more than 3 million members.
December 13th 2001
Corrections and additions to Bayern TII table.
December 13th 2001
Further correction to UK TII table.
December 11th 2001
Corrections to UK TII table.
December 11th 2001
Heart is to be added to the Switch Scotland regional ensemble next month. Heart will occupy capacity vacated by The Rhythm in November.
December 11th 2001
Two new transmitters are due to go on air in Bayern next month. Deggendorf and Pfarrkirchen will join the SFN of Bayern Digital Radio operating on Block 12D.
December 11th 2001
During the current cricket broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 LW, BBC Test ceases. Snapshot of this configuration added.
December 11th 2001
The data test transmission ProgrammeGuide E has disappeared from the ScoreEDINBURGH local ensemble. Snapshot updated.
December 10th 2001
MXR North West Snapshot updated. Transmitter details of all MXR SFNs brought into line with updates already given below.
December 10th 2001
Service dates were recently given by RNE for DAB in the regions of Castilla and León.
|
MF-I & MF-II
|
|
|
| VALLADOLID II | Valladolid | 30/04/01 |
| PORTILLO, EL | León | 30/04/03 |
| BURGOS | Burgos | 30/04/03 |
| ZAMORA | Zamora | 30/04/03 |
| VILLAMURIEL DE CERRATO | Palencia | 30/04/03 |
| SEGOVIA | Segovia | 30/04/03 |
| SALAMANCA | Salamanca | 30/04/03 |
|
FUE
|
| VALLADOLID II | Valladolid | 30/11/01 |
| PORTILLO, EL | León | 30/06/03 |
| AVILA | Ávila | 30/06/03 |
| BURGOS | Burgos | 30/06/03 |
| SORIA | Soria | 30/06/03 |
| ZAMORA | Zamora | 30/06/03 |
| VILLAMURIEL DE CERRATO | Palencia | 30/06/03 |
| SEGOVIA | Segovia | 30/06/03 |
| SALAMANCA | Salamanca | 30/06/03 |
| REDONDAL | León | 01/06/04 |
| PEÑA DE FRANCIA | Salamanca | 01/06/04 |
| ARANDA DE DUERO | Burgos | 01/06/04 |
| PANCORBO | Burgos | 01/06/04 |
| MEDINA DEL CAMPO | Valladolid | 01/06/04 |
December 9th 2001
A short postscript to the PC World story below. The Wavefinder offer is being advertised in the press as "this weekend only". It may therefore have some connection with the Videologic promotion scheduled for Wednesday.
December 9th 2001
The newsgroups today are reporting unusual reception conditions in the UK associated with an area of high pressure. Such enhanced tropospheric propagation normally occurs just after the barometric pressure has peaked and is beginning to subside again. Posters to the groups report not only reception of unusually distant ensembles, but also disruption of local ones.
December 7th 2001
A new DAB service has begun in Munich. Cityinfo offers live still images from around 10 of the city's major traffic intersections. The pictures are updated every 30 seconds. Cityinfo is broadcasting on Munich's L-band local ensemble.
December 7th 2001
UK computer retailer PC World is offering the Psion Wavefinder for £49.50 in its stores. This deal may be a prelude to discontinuation, as the Wavefinder is no longer listed on PC World's web site.
December 7th 2001
MDR, a public-service broadcaster in Germany, has announced a new classical music service for DAB. Working title for the new network is MDR-Klassik. The service is expected to begin April 1st 2002.
December 7th 2001
Sshhh! DAB is top secret. A digital radio service has been launched in Aberdeen, but the page you're now reading is the first public mention I've seen of it! Not even the Switchdigital site refers to the Aberdeen franchise. Rumour has it Switch are bidding to launch the next US military satellite. A snapshot of the Aberdeen ensemble has been added to the UK listings, but don't tell anyone I told you so!
December 6th 2001
UK TII table updated. Addition of Carmel.
December 5th 2001
Snapshot of the West Midlands regional ensemble updated. Since the last observations, Saga 105.7 FM has appeared. The data services were not included in the previous snapshot because of the observation methods.
December 5th 2001
Snapshot of the Coventry local ensemble updated. Since the last observations, Vibe has disappeared, being replaced by Dance Service which is a test transmission. BBC C&W has capacity reserved on this ensemble but was not active when these observations were made.
December 5th 2001
Snapshot of the Cardiff/Newport local ensemble updated. Since the last observations, The Storm has disappeared, being replaced by Flix South Wales. BBC Cymru and BBC Wales have capacity reserved for them on this ensemble but were not active when these observations were made.
December 5th 2001
Snapshot of the Bristol & Bath local ensemble updated. Since the last observations, Vibe and The Lounge have disappeared, being replaced by Dance Service and Easy Service. BBC Bristol has appeared, as has a student radio service, SBN.
December 4th 2001
Snapshot of EMAP Humberside added.
December 4th 2001
Switch London Snapshot updated.
December 4th 2001
UK TII table updated.
December 4th 2001
The MXR SFN in South Wales is now complete with the introduction into service of the remaining transmitters at Aberdare, Ebbw Vale and Abergavenny. The Alnwick transmitter recently went live in the North East SFN. This leaves just Blackpool and Pendle Forest outstanding in the North West.
December 4th 2001
Not yet written that letter to Santa? Videologic's new portable DAB receiver is about to go into the shops and is available at a special promotional price of just £99. Full details at the GrabOneQuick site.
December 4th 2001
Videologic's DAB tuners can now be purchased online at the Videologic site. This is a handy source for anyone in the UK who wants the dual-band version, the 602ES. This "European" version is supplied with the continental mains connector. Online price is £371.81 ex VAT.
November 30th 2001
BBC Bristol is broadcasting on the Bristol NowDigital ensemble. New Snapshot in due course.
November 30th 2001
Digital Audio Broadcasting has begun in Rheinland-Pfalz. The Band III SFN is on-air on Block 12A from three transmitters: Donnersberg, Heidelberg und Hohe Wurzel (Taunus). Further sites will be added in 2002. L-band transmissions are due to begin in the New Year.
November 30th 2001
Saga Radio has replaced The Lounge on the Switch London ensemble. New Snapshot to follow.
November 30th 2001
New Snapshots for Edinburgh local and Central Scotland regional ensembles.
November 30th 2001
Snapshot added for the overnight condition on Digital1 Network when --> ITN News --> and Oneword are absent.
November 29th 2001
The Rhythm has disappeared from the Central Scotland regional ensemble. No replacement has yet appeared. New Snapshot upcoming.
November 29th 2001
KISS has appeared on the Edinburgh local ensemble, replacing THE STORM. New Snapshot upcoming.
November 29th 2001
The Humberside local ensemble has begun broadcasting on Block 11B. BBC Radio Humberside is reported to be on the multiplex from the outset. EMAP Humberside will be transmitted initially from three sites, High Hunsley, Bridlington and Grimsby. It is proposed to extend coverage subsequently by the addition of transmissions Scunthorpe (Trent View Flats).
November 29th 2001
Two new DAB transmitters have been brought into service in Bayern. Hoher Bogen and Hohenpeißenberg raise the coverage of Bayern by 3% to 83% of the Land.
November 23rd 2001
Two new transmitters have gone on-air in Hessen at Krehberg (Darmstadt) and Habichstwald (Kassel). At at stroke, coverage of the Block 12C ensemble rises from 32% to 78% of Hessen. In the next few weeks, new transmitters at Fulda and Dünsberg (Gießen) will also be brought into service.
November 21st 2001
MXR Update:
- The Sutton Common transmitter of the MXR North
West SFN came on-air on November 5th. Blackpool and Pendle Forest are still pending. The preferred site, Blackpool Tower, could not be used and a replacement site is awaiting planning clearance.
- The Alnwick transmitter of the MXR North East SFN is still subject to Foot & Mouth restrictions and is not on air yet.
- The Abergavenny, Aberdare and Ebbw Vale transmitters of the MXR Severn Estry SFN should be on air by the end of November.
- The MXR WestMidlands SFN is fully operational.
November 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has turned down a request from a multiplex operator to lower the Protection Levels on an ensemble. This would have freed capacity to allow more services. Reducing the resilience of the signal in this way would have effectively reduced the service area. The Authority was mindful that the coverage area was one of the statutory criteria on which the licence applications had been judged. The Authority felt that the integrity of coverage was important and "holes" should be avoided wherever possible. The operator, which has not been named, has been invited to submit alternative proposals.
November 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has approved a change to the Switch London ensemble. Spectrum Radio is to replace Big-London.
November 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received two applications for the Leicester local digital franchise, from EMAP Digital Radio, a subsidiary of EMAP Performance Ltd., and from Now Digital (East Midlands) (Now Digital [GWR], Sabras Sound Ltd., Capital Radio plc and Chrysalis Radio Ltd.). The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Leicester. EMAP proposes a dynamic ensemble in which some of its capacity would be used to provide additional services (children's, sports, student radio) at the weekends. EMAP proposes to begin broadcasting in November 2002, using six transmission sites (at Copt Oak, Waltham, Skeffington, Boundry water tower, Empingham, and Barwell water tower). NDEM proposes to begin broadcasting in November 2002, initially using two transmitters, at Copt Oak and Waltham. A third transmitter, at Skeffington, would be introduced during the first two years of operation. NDEM has identified a further two transmitters, at Boundry water tower and Empingham. Their introduction would be reviewed during the licence period. The Authority hopes to announce a decision early in the New Year.
November 21st 2001
UK TII table updated.
November 21st 2001
The Band III transmitters in Rheinland-Pfalz will radiate TII codes when DAB begins in December. German TII table updated.
November 21st 2001
BBC Radio Shropshire has popped up on Now Digital's Wolverhampton ensemble. Saga has popped up on MXR WestMidlands. New Snapshot to follow.
November 20th 2001
UK TII table updated. The new layout indicates which ensembles are broadcast from each transmitter site.
November 19th 2001
The ORB services Radio 1 and Antenne Brandenburg, which have been testing on the Band III ensemble, have now entered official public service. Block 11C serves north-east Brandenburg, Block 12D the Greater Berlin region.
November 19th 2001
Correction to Brandenburg listings.
November 16th 2001
The service BBC Test is currently running 80 kbit/s Mono.
November 13th 2001
A new transmitter has been added to the UK Digital One SFN. Caradon Hill brings DAB to East Cornwall, parts of Plymouth and West Devon for the first time.
November 13th 2001
BBC "Standard" Snapshot updated. The new snapshot reflects the diminishing "space" made available to the World Service. BBC World Service is currently seen running at 64 kbit/s.
November 13th 2001
UK TII table updated.
November 13th 2001
A new L-band transmitter has been brought into service in Baden-Württemberg. Langenbrand replaces the transmitters Woerth, Kronau and Pforzheim-Ispringen. Bruchsal becomes a repeater. Simultaneously with start of Band III transmissions from Raichberg and Waldenburg, the transmitters at Moetzingen and Stuttgart-Funkhaus were shut down.
November 13th 2001
Germany TII table updated.
November 13th 2001
The Spanish Local digital frequency plan (Nov. 6th) is also available for download in HTML format.
November 12th 2001
The BBC has said that it intends to extend DAB coverage. By the end of this year 65% of the population will be covered. This should rise to 80% by the end of 2003 and 85% in early 2004. The announcement was made by Jenny Abramsky, Director of BBC Radio, speaking at the World DAB General Assembly, Brussels
November 11th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Peterborough to Now Digital Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group. The ensemble will use Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Now Digital expects to begin broadcasting in August/September 2002.
November 8th 2001
While this site is concerned principally with DAB, it is worth noting that tests are continuing with a complimentary system intended for the long, medium and shortwaves - DRM. In Sachsen-Anhalt, the transmitter at Burg, near Magdeburg, has resumed transmissions on 531kHz. An audio programme and data services are being broadcast. These should also be receivable in Halle.
November 8th 2001
Some broken links in UK listings repaired.
November 8th 2001
New transmitters were added last month to the SFN in Sachsen-Anhalt. The new transmissions from Jerichow and Salzwedel extend coverage into the northernmost part of the Land, the Altmark.
November 6th 2001
A comprehensive frequency plan for local DAB broadcasting in Spain was published in today's Boletín Oficial del Estado. The plan, including preamble, runs to 20 pages which are available for download in TIFF format from the BOE site.
November 6th 2001
Two new transmitters are to be added to the SFN in Baden-Württemberg in April next year at Feldberg and Witthoh . At the same time, the power of the Heildelberg - Königstuhl. transmitter will be increased from 215w to 800w. A new transmitter is to be added to the local L-band SFN serving Stuttgart. Güglingen is scheduled to enter programme service in the new year.
November 6th 2001
The World DAB Forum recently reported the following developments:-
-
The pilot transmitter network in Denmark is to be expanded into a full national network with the intention of achieving 100% coverage within two years.
-
The pilot DAB transmissions in Australia are to be expanded into a full consumer trial by the end of this year. Broadcasters are also seeking spectrum at VHF in Sydney to permit parallel VHF and L-band trials.
November 6th 2001
Snapshot of the UK Digital One national ensemble updated. Virgin Radio is being broadcast in Joint Stereo.
November 5th 2001
Landeswelle Thüringen is now being broadcast on the Block 12B ensemble in Thüringen.
November 3rd 2001
The UK Radio Authority is to advertise the local digital franchise for South Hampshire this week. The ensemble will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Solent. The closing date is February 12th 2002. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the spring.
November 3rd 2001
Listings and Snapshot updated of the Teesside local ensemble.
October 31st 2001
Applications have been filed with Canadian regulators for DAB broadcasts to begin in Ottawa early in 2002. Digital radio is already available from 55 DAB stations serving 10 million people in Vancouver, Toronto, Windsor, and Montreal.
October 31st 2001
Finland listings updated.
October 31st 2001
A new transmitter was recently added to the UK Digital One SFN. Beacon Hill extends national coverage into parts of South East Devon and the East Devon coast.
October 31st 2001
Today's Journal Officiel publishes the process by which the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) will allocate frequencies in Paris for DAB. The frequencies themselves are confirmed by this Decision. There are nine blocks in L-band, Blocks LA to LI. After the months of waiting, the pace now hots up for potential franchisees. Applicants have eight days from the appearance of today's JO to make known in writing which Block or Blocks are being sought. There will then be a preselection. Once they have been notified of their preselection, the Applicants then have eight days within which to make known the characteristics of their proposed transmission sites. These will then be submitted for technical verification before a final decision is reached by the CSA. The proposals for Paris will mean a three-fold expansion in the frequencies available. Three ensembles are currently broadcast on a provisional basis, on Blocks LB, LE and LI.
October 26th 2001
A new service has appeared on the Wolverhampton local ensemble. SBN is a student radio service which is currently on test. New Snapshot added.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings updated for Saarland. The Band III and L-band ensembles appear to be identical, apart from Transmission Mode of course.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings updated for the Band III ensemble in Hessen and the L-band ensemble for Frankfurt (Main). It is likely that the other L-band ensembles in Hessen correspond to the new situation in Frankfurt. It is ironic that the start of the official public service in Hessen now sees fewer services than ever being broadcast in DAB. When observed, the L-band ensemble was reduced to just two. Hessischer Rundfunk, the public service broadcaster in Hessen, has declined to participate in these DAB broadcasts.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings updated for Thüringen. Only changes since the last observations are subtle alterations to the Ensemble and Service Labels.
October 26th 2001
Snapshot and listings updated for West Sachsen. Snapshot and listing added for the Ost Sachsen ensemble. The eastern ensemble appears to be the western ensemble transported in its entirety. Note that the Ensemble Label in the east also reads Sachsen K 12A, although it is broadcast there on Block 5C.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings updated for Berlin and Brandenburg. Radio Melodie was observed not to be on BERLIN/BRBG LI any more. WDR 2 has replaced WDR Funkhaus Europa on 8C. On LI, the English and French services of Radio E were not observed. Radio E-deutsch had expanded in their places to 192 kbits/s Stereo. SFB TMC-Daten was observed as a Secondary service of SFB 88acht. In the daytime, MultiKulti.IFA has been observed as a Secondary service on the SFB/DLR ensemble. Elsewhere there have been changes to Service Labels and audio modes.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for Sachsen-Anhalt Band III and Magdeburg L-band.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings updated for Hannover.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for København.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for Malmö.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for Stockholm. As well as the publicised national and regional ensembles, there is a third, test ensemble on Block 12A, carrying Service Labels Radio Agneta, Radio Benny, Radio Björn and Radio Frida. Haha! One receiver is known to display this ensemble's Ensemble Label with an accented "y" in place of the "ä" in "Teracom Testnät". It is not known for certain at the moment whether this is a transmission or reception issue. There is also an ensemble in L-band broadcasting IP datagrams.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for Göteborg.
October 26th 2001
Snapshots and listings added for Oslo. The national ensemble was observed to be radiating TII. The regional ensemble was not.
October 14th 2001
Digital Radio Südwest, the network operator in Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden-Württemberg has announced December 10th as the date for the start of official DAB broadcasting on VHF in Rheinland-Pfalz. The first transmitters will be Donnersberg, Heidelberg und Hohe Wurzel. Test transmissions should begin before that date. The official service date for DAB transmissions in L-band is January 1st 2002 from Weilerskopf and Ludwigshafen.
October 14th 2001
Two new transmitters have been brought into service in Baden-Württemberg. Raichberg und Waldenburg become part of the SFN on Block 12B.
October 5th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Bradford & Huddersfield to TWG Digital, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wireless Group Holdings Ltd. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Leeds. TWG Digital proposes to begin broadcasting in September 2002 from three sites, Holme Moss, Westgate Hill and Keighley.
October 5th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Exeter & Torbay to Now Digital Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc. The ensemble will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Devon. Now Digital proposes to begin transmissions in the second quarter of 2002, using three transmission sites, at Beacon Hill, Exeter (St. Thomas) and Stockland Hill. It estimates that these will provide 'outdoor coverage' of 77.8% of the adult population of the Exeter & Torbay 'primary protected area' (PPA), which may be reduced to 75.2% by incoming interference. It is proposed that a further two transmitters, at Tiverton and Sidmouth, would become operational when digital radio listening accounts for one-third of all radio listening.
October 5th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised a local franchise for Bath, Swindon & West Wilts. The advertisement effectively combines the Swindon and West Wilts franchise with a previously untimetabled Bath licence area and accelerates the franchising programme. The result could be not unlike an ITV dual-region, since the use of separate Blocks will enable different programming in the two areas from a single franchise-holder. Unlike the dual region, however, the advertisement leaves it up to the applicants to propose the service line-up. The Authority Press Announcement merely states that separate programming "will be technically possible". The ensembles will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz) in Swindon and 12D (229.072MHz) in Bath and West Wiltshire. Capacity is reserved for the BBC local radio service Wiltshire Sound. Closing Date is 15th January 2002. The Authority expects to award the licence in the early spring. In view of the fact that the result could be either a single ensemble running on two blocks or two different ensembles, this site will continue to list them as separate areas for the time being.
October 4th 2001
Entry updated for the Central Lancashire local ensemble.
October 4th 2001
Entry updated for the Northern Ireland local ensemble. BBC Radio Ulster is now on the ensemble. Classic FM is being broadcast at 128 kbit/s, compared with 160 kbit/s on the Digital1 Ensemble in Great Britain. The bitrate of 3C, Cool Country is reduced from 160 to 128 kbit/s since the last observation.
October 3rd 2001
Entries updated for the West Midlands regional and the Birmingham and Wolverhampton local ensembles
October 2nd 2001
A new DAB transmitter has been brought into service in Bayern. Brotjacklriegel becomes part of the SFN on
Block 12D and extends coverage along the Danube from Deggendorf to Passau and in the south-eastern part of the Bavarian Forest.
October 2nd 2001
Second Snapshot of the Central Lancashire local ensemble tests added.
October 2nd 2001
3C, Cool Country has replaced RITZ COUNTRY in the Liverpool local ensemble. New Snapshot added.
October 2nd 2001
Snapshot added for the Central Lancs ensemble test transmissions.
October 1st 2001
Snapshots updated for the Leeds, South Yorkshire and Tyne & Wear local ensembles. The Teesside local ensemble could not be received on the afternoon of October 1st at any of the observation locations within the service area, whereas EMAP T&W was receivable south of Middlesborough. The Teesside ensemble is assumed to have been down.
September 28th 2001
There have been two test services on the BBC National DAB ensemble. BBC Test carried Radio 5 Live at the reduced bit rate of 48 kbits/s (Radio 5 Live itself is usually
between 80 and 96 kbits/s). BBC Test 2 carried the same programme at 48 kbits/s but half rate sampling. These new tests are a clear pointer to the direction in which the BBC ensemble is headed.
September 28th 2001
The price of DAB receivers is falling. UK computer retailer PC World is advertising the Psion Wavefinder for £99.00 inc. VAT plus £3.25 delivery.
September 27th 2001
UK TII table updated.
September 25th 2001
A test transmission of the Central Lancashire local ensemble is reported to have popped up briefly today on Block 12A. As with other ensembles, individual transmitters will likely be tested separately before being tested together as an SFN. These are, if you like, pre-test transmission tests.
September 25th 2001
The MDR, public service broadcaster for the German Länder Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen, is to renew its involvement in DAB. The MDR had until 1998 participated in a pilot project in Sachsen-Anhalt. In its modern broadcasting centres, MDR radio programmes are already produced digitally, but currently only transmitted (terrestrially) in analogue form. According to the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, under consideration is the introduction of a service, available only on DAB, as a means of making digital radio more attractive. A classical music service co-produced with the Bayerischen Rundfunk is being considered.
September 25th 2001
DAB coverage in Sachsen has been extended with the introduction into service of a new transmitter at Zittau. The new transmitter becomes part of the SFN operating on Block 5C in east Sachsen. In the west of the Land, the ensemble operates on Block 12A. This arrangement would permit the future regionalisation of services on the ensembles.
September 22nd 2001
Last week's interactive drama, "Wheel of Fortune", broadcast on Radio 3, Radio 4 and the Internet, was accompanied by an unusual ensemble configuration. For the duration of the broadcast, there was an extra Service label in the ensemble, Wheel of Fortune, which appeared to point to one of the existing audio streams. Radios 3 and 4 were identified as Secondary Components of this Service. Correspondingly, Radio 4 and Wheel of Fortune were identified as Secondary Components of Radio 3 with Radio 3 and Wheel of Fortune as Secondary Components of Radio 4.
September 21st 2001
New Videologic products added to Receivers page.
September 20th 2001
UK manufacturer Videologic has announced two new DAB receivers. The DRX-601EX is a digital radio, featuring integral amplifier and speaker drive units and maple or cherry real wood veneers. The DRX-601ESM has the same features as the existing 601, sized to match mini or midi hifi systems.
September 19th 2001
Digital One, the UK national commercial operator, has announced the next phase of its transmitter programme to the end of 2002. The programme means the extension of DAB into areas currently unserved or largely unserved by digital radio... Cornwall, East Anglia, North Wales and up the east coast of Scotland. The full list is posted on the Digital One website.
September 15th 2001
BBC Sheffield is confirmed to have appeared on the South Yorkshire local ensemble.
September 15th 2001
The Northern Ireland local ensemble, operated by Score Digital, has been observed radiating on Block 12D from two transmitters (this is not to say that others are not operating) with TII codes 19/02 and 19/06 hex. (25/02 and 25/06 decimal). Snapshot added to UK listings. These are test transmissions and may be liable to interruptions, periods of reduced power and other odd effects.
September 13th 2001
The UK government's Culture Secretary has approved BBC plans for new DAB radio services. Five "new" services are proposed:-
Network X (working title)
A black music, news and speech service aimed at a young audience.
Network Y (working title)
Popular music from the BBC archive.
Network Z (working title)
A new speech-based service, which would include children's programming, of drama, comedy, readings and story telling for all the family.
Five Live Sports Plus
Supplementing the sports coverage currently offered on Radio 4 and Radio Five Live.
BBC Asian Network
Currently broadcast only in the Midlands, this service would be extended to the whole of the UK.
Of the five, Five Live Sports Plus is already on DAB. The BBC Asian Network is currently only on analogue and DSat. There is space reserved for it on the forthcoming West Midlands regional ensemble, but presumably this reserved capacity would be relinquished once the service was accomodated on the BBC national ensemble.
September 12th 2001
BBC Radio Merseyside has popped up on the Liverpool local ensemble. The ensemble Snapshot has been updated. The BBC has agreed terms for the carriage of their local services by EMAP on their ensembles in the north of England. BBC Radios Sheffield, Newcastle, Cleveland, and Leeds should be on the air soon, if not already. It is expected that BBC Radios Humberside and Lancashire will be on the respective EMAP ensembles from launch.
September 12th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Dundee & Perth to Score Digital. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved on the ensemble for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Score expect to begin transmissions within 26 weeks.
September 12th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received one application for the Peterborough local digital franchise from NOW Digital, a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc.. The ensemble will use Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved on the ensemble for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. NOW proposes to commence its service in August/September 2002, using three transmission sites, at Peterborough, Hitchingbrooke and Stamford. The Radio Authority expects to announce a decision about the franchise by the end of the year.
September 3rd 2001
An Engineering Consideration Document has been published by the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development detailing the results of a consultation process prior to the adoption of standards for DAB.
The Document recommends: - L-band be used initially for DAB in New Zealand.
- The Canadian channel raster be adopted, using the Canadian channels 8 to 20.
- Eureka 147 is the preferred system.
- Pilot transmissions should begin immediately for test and evaluation purposes.
- Studies should be undertaken to ascertain whether DAB could be introduced into Band III without significant interference to existing television services.
September 3rd 2001
The Dutch DAB ensemble is now labelled DAB-test. The service Nozema1 has disappeared. A data service PRBS has appeared.
September 2nd 2001
The Dutch DAB ensemble has popped up again on Block 12C. There are currently three audio services, two of which carry the same audio:
Radio 2
Radio 3
Nozema1 (same audio as 'Radio 3').
The pilot transmissions ended 11 months ago to protest a lack of government policy. The resumption of DAB broadcasting in the Netherlands may be a sign that the government's position is about to become clearer... or it may just have been preventive maintenance of the transmission plant!
September 1st 2001
The pilot DAB transmissions operated by BCC in Taiwan were launched as a full public service on August 1st. Their web site illustrates some of the DAB receivers available on the island. BCC is taking a pro-active approach, offering receivers for sale through its web site.
August 30th 2001
Say goodbye to the DAB module sitting in your boot! Grundig's new Challenge 530 car stereo boasts cassette playback, FM radio and digital radio reception from a single, integrated unit. Use your boot for luggage!
August 30th 2001
Ensemble Label added to MXR North West snapshot.
August 29th 2001
The German government has announced a preferred shutdown date for analogue services. Speaking at the International Funkaustellung in Berlin, Chancellor SchrÒder said that the current analogue radio transmissions should be replaced by digital by 2015 "at the latest".
August 29th 2001
The Atlas Digital Radio, issued by the Technischen Kommission der Landesmediananstalten, has been updated with revised sections for Hessen. This document is a comprehensive overview of DAB in Germany and is an indispensable download for anyone wanting to know the full picture. The Atlas is divided up into sections so that only the newest updates need be downloaded.
August 29th 2001
The UK Northwest Regional ensemble popped up today from Winter Hill on Block 12C (227.360 MH). Up to now, the transmissions had been from Moel y Parc only. Snapshot added to UK Listings. These are test transmissions and will be subject to interruptions, reduced power and other odd effects. Official service date is scheduled for September 25th. St. John's Beacon and Blackpool Tower will not now be used. An alternative to Blackpool Tower is being sought. The additional site of Morecambe Bay will be used. Lancaster, Pendle Forest and Sutton Common should come on closer to the official service date.
August 24th 2001
UK TII table updated. All the UK transmitters affected by the TII code changes are now believed to be radiating the new codes.
August 24th 2001
The UK West Midlands Regional ensemble continues testing from all transmitters, although The Wrekin is currently off-air.
August 24th 2001
The UK Northwest Regional ensemble is reported to have popped up on Block 12C (227.360 MH). These are test transmissions and will be subject to interruptions, reduced power and other odd effects. Official service date is scheduled for September 25th. St. John's Beacon and Blackpool Tower will not now be used. An alternative to Blackpool Tower is being sought. The additional site Morecambe Bay will be used.
August 24th 2001
Stand by for a new DAB tuner from Videologic. The DRX-602ES is a "European" version, matching the 601ES in appearance and features, plus: - Menu operation supports English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian
- The character sets for the above languages are supported for Ensemble, Service and Dynamic Labels.
- Both Band III and L-band reception.
Recommended price throughout Europe is EUR699.
This model is not expected to retail in the United Kingdom.
August 21st 2001
Digital Radio Südwest, the network operator in southwest Germany, has announced that DAB broadcasts in the Land Rheinland-Pfalz will begin in December this year from the sites Donnersberg, Heidelberg und Hohe Wurzel. Further transmitters, including Koblenz, Trier and the Eifel region will come on later.
August 21st 2001
The Atlas Digital Radio, issued by the Technischen Kommission der Landesmediananstalten, was updated today with revised sections for Länder Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz. This document is a comprehensive overview of DAB in Germany and is an indispensable download for anyone wanting to know the full picture. The Atlas is divided up into sections so that only the newest updates need be downloaded.
August 21st 2001
UK TII table updated.
August 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received one application for the Bradford & Huddersfield digital franchise. TWG Ditigal (The Wireless Group Holdings plc) proposes to begin broadcasting in September 2002 from three sites, Holme Moss, Westgate Hill and Keighley. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Leeds. TWG proposes seven commercial services, The Pulse, BIG AM, Sunrise FM, Flix, Asian Sound, KISS plus another to be confirmed. The Authority hopes to announce a decision in the autumn.
August 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Leicester. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Leicester and the BBC Asian Network. Closing date is Tuesday, 20 November 2001. The Authority expects to make an award early in the New Year.
August 21st 2001
Receivers page updated with the new DT26 DAB tuner from the Arcam FMJ range.
August 17th 2001
Layout of the UK and Germany pages has been modified with the intention of improving accessibility. The notes to the listings are now at the foot of the page.
August 17th 2001
Hessen listings updated.
August 16th 2001
Scot FM, the Central Scotland regional FM service is to be rebranded Real Radio. Scot FM was purchased by Guardian Media Group from The Wireless Group in June. Scot FM is broadcast digitally on the Central Scotland Regional Ensemble, Switch Scotland. The Real Radio brand is already present on the regional ensemble in South Wales, and on local ensembles in Leeds, Liverpool, South Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyne & Wear.
August 10th 2001
Digital One, the UK National Commercial operator, has announced the next extensions to its transmitter network. The next sites will be at Pendle Forest and Purdown. Brighton is also planned, subject to international frequency clearance.
August 9th 2001
The test ensemble operated by NTL from Croydon has moved to Block 11C. This releases 11B, which is allocated to the Greater London 3 ensemble to be operated by DRg.
August 9th 2001
Listings for Saarland and Sachsen updated.
August 9th 2001
Frequency Tables added.
August 8th 2001
Receivers page updated with Clarion in-car DAB receiver.
August 8th 2001
It is interesting to note the total lack of uniformity in the labelling of the DeutschlandRadio services around the Länder. Deutschlandfunk, for example, is labelled variously as Deutschlandfunk, DEUTSCHLANDFUNK, DeutschlandFunk, DLF-Koeln, DLF. "Wenn ich nur Intendant des DeutschlandRadios wäre..."
August 6th 2001
Snapshots added and listings updated for Berlin, Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen.
August 6th 2001
The listings are being modified in order better to indicate which fields represent the actual text content of Service Labels observed or reported, e.g. R-WIEN * DAB, and those listings where the the entry is based on other data or is the name of a Service which may or may not correspond exactly with the Service Label, e.g. P4 København.
It is a convention in computer literature and on other DAB sites to represent a space, " ", as an underscore, "_". However the underscore is a computer character in its own right and exists within the character set from which Service Labels may be formed. Furthermore, the underscore has been observed actually in use in Service Labels, e.g. PICCADILLY_KEY. Therefore, this site will use the convention that a space represents a space, and an underscore always represents an underscore. Please let me know if any listings here are at odds with this policy.
August 6th 2001
Belgian Snapshots updated.
August 6th 2001
The Sweden TII table was observed not to display correctly under Netscape. Corrected.
August 2nd 2001
TII codes are radiated in Berlin by the three transmitters of the SFN on Block 8C run by SFB and DLR. German TII table updated. Although there is no national numbering scheme in Germany, no conflicts have yet been found among the codes which are known.
July 30th 2001
A table of German TII codes has been added to the TII page. So far as is known (by this site anyway) the Länder Baden-Württemberg and Bayern are the only ones to have implemented TII. Information about other Länder would be gratefully received!
July 30th 2001
Four new transmitters were brought into service this month in Saarland. The sites at Saarbrücken, Riegelsberg, Tholey und Blieskastel raise the coverage across the Land from 65% to 95%.
July 27th 2001
The West Midlands regional ensemble popped up today on Block 12A from Sutton Coldfield. A Snapshot has been added to the UK Listings. Ensemble Label and any data subchannels are not included in this Snapshot. These are test transmissions and will be subject to interruptions, reduced power and other odd effects. Official service date is scheduled for August 28th.
July 26th 2001
Receivers page updated with the new DT81 DAB tuner from the Arcam Diva range.
July 26th 2001
Is it a phone? Is it a PC? Is it a radio?
From Taiwan company Apexcom comes a telephone/PC/modem/DAB combination which proves that the man who has everything.... no longer has quite... everything!
July 26th 2001
A number of errors crept into the recent German listings update. These have now (mostly?) been corrected.
July 25th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received one application for the Exeter/Torbay local digital franchise, from Now Digital Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc. The ensemble will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Devon. Now Digital proposes to commence its service in the second quarter of 2002, using three transmission sites, at Beacon Hill, Exeter (St. Thomas) and Stockland Hill. It estimates that these will provide 'outdoor coverage' of 77.8% of the adult population of the Exeter & Torbay 'primary protected area' (PPA), which may be reduced to 75.2% by incoming interference. It is proposed that a further two transmitters, at Tiverton and Sidmouth, would become operational when digital radio listening accounts for one-third of all radio listening. The Authority hopes to announce a decision in the early autumn.
July 25th 2001
Correction to yesterday's Snapshot for Stuttgart L-band ensemble. The service "Infoservice" is a Secondary Component to the Service "Stadtradio". This is believed to be the first implementation of a Secondary Component in Germany.
July 24th 2001
UK TII table updated.
July 24th 2001
MXR's coverage plans for the North West regional ensemble have changed since the franchise was awarded. St. John's Beacon will not be used owing to a prediction that the transmissions on Block 12C would punch a hole in BBC coverage on adjacent Block 12B. MXR will however use an additional site at Morecambe Bay. The MXR web site has a coverage map which includes these changes. Test transmissions should begin August 28th. The use of Blackpool Tower is in question. Lancaster is still affected by Foot and Mouth restrictions.
July 24th 2001
An ensemble is reported to be operating on Block 11C in the Spanish region of Galicia. Operated by Retegal SA, the ensemble is reported to carry only three services currently, including RNE 1 and Radio Gallega.
July 24th 2001
London Snapshots updated.
July 24th 2001
Major update to the German listings. New Snapshots added for ensembles in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern and Hessen. Frequency details of the L-band ensemble in München corrected. Two other Band III ensembles were observed to be operating in München. Details and Snapshots added.
July 24th 2001
SWR, the public-service broadcaster for the Länder Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden-Württemberg, has proposed a new speech service to be broadcast exclusively on DAB in order to support the new medium and make it more attractive to listeners. The new service will showcase reports and features drawn from the other SWR networks in combination with regular news and analysis. A launch date for the new service has not yet been announced. It seems likely that the new service will have to be accomodated within SWR's existing capacity on the ensembles and mean a bit rate reduction for one or more of the existing SWR services.
July 19th 2001
On the ScoreEDINBURGH ensemble, KISS has replaced the service THE STORM. New Snapshot to follow.
July 18th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Inverness. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Closing date is Tuesday, 16 October 2001. The Authority expects to make an award "at the turn of the year".
July 17th 2001
On the Greater London 1 ensemble, the service NEWS DIRECT has been relabelled ITN NEWS DIRECT.
July 16th 2001
MXR, the regional digital franchise operator in England, has announced the progress of its rollout programme as follows:-
North East: Test transmissions have begun from all transmitters except Alnwick. Official service (ex. DNN) is scheduled for 30th July.
North West: Test transmissions should begin at the beginning of September. Official service (inc. DNN) is scheduled for the end of September. Some sites are affected by Foot and Mouth restrictions.
Severn Estuary & South Wales: Test transmissions have begun. Carmel should come on in the next few weeks. Official service (ex. DNN) is scheduled for 30th July. Abergavenny, Aberdare & Ebbw Vale are to be added in the coming months.
West Midlands: Test transmissions from all sites should begin at the end of July. Official service (ex. DNN) is scheduled for the end of August.
In all regions, DNN is expected to launch at the end of Seprember.
July 15th 2001
Snapshots updated for Bristol and Cardiff local ensembles. Snapshot added for Severn & South Wales regional ensemble.
July 12th 2001
The size (and price!) of a digital radio looks set to fall even further with the news that Radioscape and Texas Instruments have together developed a cheaper and smaller component and software set for future DAB receivers. The £100 barrier looks set to be broken soon!
News story from BBC Online
Press Release
July 10th 2001
The Staatskanzlei Rheinland-Pfalz has announced the allocation of capacity on the Land's DAB ensembles. The decision permits four programmes from the public service broadcaster, SWR1-RP, SWR2, SWR3 and DASDING to be transmited in Band III and the regional programme SWR4 in L-band. SWR 2 and SWR4 will broadcast at 192 kbits/s, the remainder at 160 kbits/s. The national public-service broadcaster DeutschlandRadio will be accomodated on both ensembles. In Band III at 160 kbit/s and in L-band at 192 kbit/s. This site believes this allocation implies that the service Deutschlandfunk will probably be in Band III and DeutschlandRadio in L-band. The majority of the private services will be in L-band. The plan envisages that RPR 1 and RPR 2 will be accomodated in Band III. The L-band ensembles will initially be brought into service running a single multiplex. A decision on a date for the regionalisation of the L-band is still to be made. The launch of DAB in Rheinland-Pfalz is planned for the fourth quarter of 2001.
July 10th 2001
Digital Radio West, the DAB operator in Nordrhein-Westfalen brought three new transmitters into service at the end of June. The new transmitters are Bielefeld, Siegen-Süd and Viersen. The roll-out programme
will bring more than a dozen DAB transmitters into service during the second half of 2001 alone. The programme is described in full in the Digital Radio
Atlas.
July 10th 2001
The test ensemble operated by Loughborough University has begun radiating TII. UK TII table updated. As well as providing a platform for training and experimentation, the University ensemble also provides a digital outlet for the local ILR station, Oak FM, thereby being possibly the smallest digital radio service
in the world.
July 10th 2001
The BBC has warned that it may halt investment in DAB if the Government does not approve its plans for five new digital radio services. The proposals, described below, require approval from the Culture Secretary, who has asked rival broadcasters for their comments on the BBC's plans. Speaking at the Radio Festival in Manchester, the BBC Director-General said that only digital technology would allow radio to continue growing as a medium.
July 10th 2001
The Digital Radio Atlas compiled by the Technischen Kommission der Landesmediananstalten has recently been updated. This document is a comprehensive overview of DAB in Germany and is an indispensable download for anyone wanting to know the full picture. The Atlas is divided up into sections so that only the newest updates need be downloaded.
July 8th 2001
The Videologic DAB receiver (the 'E' version) is being discounted in several Central Scotland stores, bringing it down to £249 in a promotion to coincide with the launch of the Central Scotland regional ensemble. The offer will run from the 2nd July until 17th August 2001. Retailers already involved in the promotion include Dixons, John Lewis Department Stores, Currys, Miller Brothers, Hi-Fi Corner, Glasgow Audio, Sounds Perfect, Laser Audio and other leading hi-fi and specialist retailers.
July 8th 2001
Snapshots added of the Leeds and Teesside local ensembles. Snapshot updated of the Liverpool local ensemble.
July 8th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Ayr to Score Digital Ltd., a subsidiary of Scottish Radio Holdings plc. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved on the ensemble for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. SCORE Digital proposes to commence broadcasting four of its services by December 2001, from three transmission sites, at Darvel, Troon and West Kilbride. A fourth transmitter, at a site yet to be selected, will be added in year five of the licence period.
July 8th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the local digital franchise for Bournemouth to Now Digital Ltd., a subsidiary of GWR Group plc. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved on the ensemble for BBC Radio Solent. Now Digital Ltd. proposes to commence its service by March 2002, using three transmission sites, at Nine Barrow Down, St. Catherines Hill and Winterbourne.
July 3rd 2001
The
BBC Annual Report was published today and reiterates the corporation's plans for the future of its digital radio services. Five "new" services are proposed:-
Network X (working title)
A black music, news
and speech service aimed at a young audience.
Network Y (working
title)
Popular music from the BBC archive.
Network Z (working
title)
A new speech-based service, which would include children's
programming, of drama, comedy, readings and story telling for all the
family.
Five Live Sports Plus
Supplementing the sports
coverage currently offered on Radio 4 and Radio Five Live.
BBC Asian
Network
Currently broadcast only in the Midlands, this service
would be extended to the whole of the UK.
Of the five, Five Live
Sports Plus is already on DAB. The BBC Asian Network is currently only on
analogue and DSat. There is space reserved for it on the forthcoming West
Midlands regional ensemble, but presumably this reserved capacity would be
relinquished once the service was accomodated on the BBC national
ensemble. In view of this it must be unlikely that the Asian Network will
in fact ever appear on the West Midlands ensemble.
It is worth
noting that the proposals do not speak any additional transmission
capacity and that the new services would be accomodated within the finite
space of the existing ensemble. The future of BBC Digital Radio must
therefore mean lower bitrates across all the services, including existing
ones. The Service "BBC Test", running at 112 kbits/sec Joint Stereo and
rebroadcasting BBC Radio 2 at the moment gives an idea of the shape of
things to come.
July 3rd 2001
The ever-increasing size of
this list has forced a re-organisation into smaller sub-pages. This move
was resisted as long as possible, since the whole purpose of the site was
to gather together as much information as possible into one place.
Hopefully the inconvenience for users of having the lists split into
several documents will be outweighed by the advantages of smaller and
faster downloads. A large number of links have had to be changed
throughout the site as a result. Please let me know if you should spot any
loss of functionality.
July 3rd 2001
The Leeds local ensemble is confirmed on-air with the following services:-
96.3 Radio
Aire
Ridings FM
Magic 828WYorks
X F M
Classic Gold
Real
Radio
KISS
July 3rd 2001
China listing updated.
July 3rd 2001
UK TII table updated.
July 1st 2001
Snapshot updated of the Central Scotland regional ensemble.
July 1st 2001
It is reported that the service "Ritz 1035" (a country music station in London) has replaced "MFM - The Mix" on the Liverpool local ensemble. New Snapshot to
follow.
June 30th 2001
Snapshot added of the North East regional ensemble.
June 30th 2001
Snapshot updated of the Greater Manchester local ensemble.
June 30th 2001
UKRadio.com reports that the Teesside local ensemble has been launched. This could not be confirmed by observations 29th June.
June 28th 2001
UKRadio.com reports that transmitters for the Severn Estuary and the North East regional ensembles have begun testing. This initial phase involves testing the individual transitters in the SFNs. Full test transmissions should begin 2nd July with official programme service 30th July.
June 27th 2001
The UK Radio Authority recently updated its online Digital Licence Area map. The new version includes for the first time frequency details of future franchises that have not yet been timetabled. The Ensembles List has been updated with this info.
June 26th 2001
Four new Services have appeared on the Central Scotland Switch ensemble. 'The Lounge' is broadcast at half sampling rate. Snapshot updated. These are test transmissions initially and may be liable to interruptions or other odd effects. Official public launch is scheduled for July 5th.
June 25th 2001
Service Labels on the VRT ensemble no longer include a "*" which previously denoted them as DAB versions of the services in question.
June 25th 2001
Belgian German-language broadcaster BRF has been added to the RTBF ensemble.
June 24th 2001
The pilot L-band DAB ensemble in Hong Kong was switched off on June 12th, well after the end of the official test period. The two-transmitter SFN was broadcast from Mount Gough and Beacon Hill, providing coverage in Kowloon, the north side of Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen and surrounding area on the south of the island. A lobe to the north of Beacon Hill provided coverage along the Shatin valley. There are now no DAB transmissions originating in the SAR itself, however it is understood that the Band III ensemble in Guandong province on the mainland is sometimes receivable in the west of the territory. This was not achieved when attempted this month.
June 24th 2001
The Landesmedienanstalt for Hessen has announced the service allocations for private broadcasters on the DAB ensembles as follows:-
Band III (Landesweit):
Hit Radio FFH, F.A.Z. Business, planet radio, RTL Radio
L-band Nordhessen:-
HNA News Radio, digifun, Harmony.FM, Sky Radio, DAB-Antenne Magic
L-band Mittelhessen, L-band Region Vogelsberg & L-band
Osthessen:
Harmony.FM, Sky Radio, DAB-Antenne Magic
L-band Frankfurt (Main):
News Aktuell, Frankfurt Business Radio, Harmony.FM, Sky Radio, DAB-Antenne Magic
L-band Wiesbaden & L-band Darmstadt:
RTL Oldie Radio, Frankfurt Business Radio, Harmony.FM, Sky Radio,
DAB-Antenne Magic
These new services are clear to begin broadcasting on the ensembles as soon as contracts with the DAB network operator, Hessen Digital Radio, are concluded and necessary programme links are in place.
Applications from non-commercial private broadcasters (Freies Radio Kassel e. V., RAdAR e. V. Radio Darmstadt, Radio RheinWelle 92,5 e. V., Radio Unerhört Marburg e. V. (RUM), Radio X Mix e. V. Frankfurt and Radio Quer, Mainz) were rejected because their financing for additional DAB transmissions were not secure.
In announcing the allocations ahead of the official start of DAB services in Hessen, Winfried Engel, Vorsitzender of the Landesmedienanstalt, regretted that the Hessischer Rundfunk, the public service broadcaster, had declined participation in the project. Digital Radio could not be introduced by the private broadcasters alone, he said. Herr Engel pointed out that not for nothing had the HR received an additional income from Licence Fees
specifically for digital broadcasting. He described the HR as being under an obligation.
Hessen is believed to be the only German Land where DAB is being introduced without the partcipation of its public service broadcaster.
June 24th 2001
On the UK Digital One ensemble, the bitrate of the Virgin Radio service has been reduced to 160 kbits/s. Snapshot updated.
June 24th 2001
Snapshot updated of Central Scotland ensemble Switch Scotland. All Services now at Protection Level 3.
June 24th 2001
Snapshots updated of Glasgow and Edinburgh local ensembles.
June 24th 2001
In its assessment of the Greater London III franchise award, the UK Radio Authority noted that the applicant awarded the franchise has proposed lower protection levels in order to accomodate more services. The result for the listener would likely be less robust reception in parts of the coverage area.
June 24th 2001
The UK Radio Authority received two applications for the Dundee/Perth local franchise.
Score Digital Ltd. (wholly-opened subsidiary Scottish Radio Holdings plc.)
Switchdigital Scotland Ltd (The Wireless Group plc; Clear Channel International Ltd.; The Carphone Warehouse)
In addition to the services BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, both of which are reserved space on the ensemble, both applicants propose to broadcasting existing local ILR services Kingdom FM, Tay AM, Tay FM and Wave 102.
Switchdigital would additionally broadcast existing local services Heartland FM and RNA FM. Score would include Bridge FM. Score would introduce to the area 3C, Cool Country while Switchdigital would introduce The Ministry of Sound, Ritz Country and The Lounge.
This site notes that Score proposes seven services while Switchdigital propose nine. The Switch proposal presumably means either lower bitrates or lower protection levels.
Score propose broadcasting within 26 weeks of an award of licence from five transmission sites, at Angus, Purin Hill, Perth Kirkton Mailer, Pitlochry Faire Mhor and Kinross.
Switchdigital proposes to commence broadcasting all of its services in May 2002, using four transmission sites, at Angus, Kirkton Mailer, Purin Hill and Pitlochry.
June 13th 2001
In Hessen, only two services are currently being broadcast in the Band III ensemble - Deutschlandfunk and DeutschlandRadio. Coverage has recently been extended and with the addition of transmitter Krehberg, the ensemble is now receivable in Mannheim, across the border in Baden Württemberg. Listings for Hessen updated. According to Hessen Digital Radio, in addition to the Band III Landesensemble, L-band ensembles are currently operative in Frankfurt (Main), Darmstadt and Wiesbaden. Further ensembles for Kassel, Giessen, Alsfeld and Fulda will follow.
June 11th 2001
Minor alterations to Ensembles List, removing an outdated link and adding links to Spanish coverage maps. The RNE site shows coverage details for Valencia. There are reports from other sources that an Ensemble is on-air in Galicia. Further information would be welcome!
June 7th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the third Greater London digital franchise to The Digital Radio Group (London). The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). DRg proposes to commence broadcasting all but one of its services in December 2001. At the time of their application, DRg were forecasting to implement the transmitter at Croydon eight to ten weeks after licence award, with transmitters at Alexandra Palace, Bluebell Hill, Guildford, Reigate, Zouches Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Kemsing on air by 22 weeks after licence award.
June 7th 2001
UK TII table updated.
June 7th 2001
Switch Scotland, the Central Scotland regional ensemble, popped up today on Block 11D. Five Services are currently being broadcast. A Snapshot has been added to the Ensembles List. These are test transmissions initially and may be liable to interruptions or other odd effects. Signal strengths may not match the final levels during these tests. Official Service date is scheduled for July 5th. Switch Scotland is the first of the UK regional franchises to come on-air. Next up: MXR in North East England, who at the time the franchise was awarded forecast being on-air by June 2001.
June 6th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Peterborough. The ensemble will use Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Closing date is Tuesday, 11 September 2001. The Authority expects to award the licence towards the end of this year.
June 5th 2001
The Snapshot format has been modified slightly to represent Conditional Access services more clearly. As always, this site would like to know about Conditional Access services which are not listed here.
June 5th 2001
A number of minor modifications and corrections to the Taiwan listings, including the addition of the Ensemble Label to the UFO ensemble.
June 4th 2001
The French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel is reported to be studying the British experience of DAB and in particular the role the British regulator has had in the implementation of a roll-out strategy. The CSA is to hold talks this month with the UK Radio Authority, HMG's Department of Culture as well as with UK manufacturers and multiplex operators. In comparison with neighbouring countries, the introduction of DAB has been patchy in France - limited to L-band ensembles in the major connurbations and without the broader coverage in Band III to be found in the UK, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. However, France may be close to seeing its first DAB transmissions in Band III, with reports that an ensemble may air soon in Lyon. These developments may also assist the roll-out in Britain, since frequency co-ordination would be required and could facilitate transmissions along the UK south coast.
June 4th 2001
Maplin Electronics have added to their range two Maxview aerials for DAB. The aerials may be ordered online already by quoting the reference numbers below, although it does not yet seem possible to navigate to them through the site menus. QN54J is a simple rod antenna for £12.99. QN55K is a 3-element aeial for £19.99
June 4th 2001
The Central Scotland regional ensemble, Switchdigital, is scheduled for official launch on July 5th. Test transmissions should begin a week or two before then.
June 3rd 2001
The two Score ensembles, ScoreGLASGOW and ScoreEDINBURGH appear to be broadcasting EPGs - "ProgrammeGuide G" and "ProgrammeGuide E" respectively.
June 3rd 2001
The student radio station "RaW-RadioWarwick" has appeared on the NOWCoventry local ensemble. This week's quiz question: "How many students can afford to buy a DAB receiver?"
May 31st 2001
Snapshot of Niedersachsen ensemble added. MPEG modes not known.
May 31st 2001
Student radio station "RaW" is set to appear on the local ensemble for Coventry, making it the first digital student radio service in the country. RaW currently uses a low power AM frequency, and its 24hour service is run entirely by students of the University of Warwick.
May 31st 2001
UK website ukradio.com reports that the local digital multiplex for Leeds has appeared on Block 12D.
May 29th 2001
The national UK operator Digital One has added Idle in West Yorkshire to its transmitter network. As well as Bradford, coverage takes in parts of the Aire Valley including Dewsbury, Pudsey, Shipley, Yeadon, Batley, Guiseley and parts of Halifax.
May 22nd 2001
Bitrates added to Sachsen-Anhalt listings.
May 21st 2001
Dover and Hastings added to UK TII table.
May 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has released details of changes to the TII codes for certain transmitter sites. The changes are designed to optimise TII usage and will apply to both BBC and commercial sites. They are to be phased in by the end of June. Sites affected are Hannington, Waltham, Oxford, Bow Brickhill, Sutton Coldfield, Winter Hill, Turners Hill and Zouches Farm. The UK TII table has been updated to include both sets of codes.
May 21st 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Bradford & Huddersfield. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Leeds. Closing date is 21 August 2001. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the autumn.
May 18th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received one application for the Bournemouth local digital franchise from Now Digital Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc.. Now Digital propose to begin broadcasting in the first quarter of 2002, using three transmission sites, at Nine Barrow Down, St. Catherines Hill and Winterbourne. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Solent. The Authority hopes to announce its decision about the award of this licence during the Summer.
May 17th 2001
On the Edinburgh local ensemble, ScoreEDINBURGH, the services Forth FM and Forth AM have been relabelled Forth One and FORTH 2. Snapshot and listing updated.
May 17th 2001
The values for Ensemble Label have been added to the Snapshots of the Spanish ensembles. These values are based on data supplied by RNE rather than actual observation.
May 16th 2001
Entries for Bayern revised. In Bayern, the Land-wide ensemble in Band III is supplemented by local ensembles in L-band. Local ensembles are already operating in Augsburg, Ingolstadt, München und Nürnberg, each one delivering a digital signal for local stations already established in their markets. The next phase is to install local ensembles in Bamberg, Landshut, Regensburg, Rosenheim und Würzburg. The final phase, beginning 2004, will complete the network, with local ensembles in Ansbach, Aschaffenburg, Bayreuth, Deggendorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hof, Kempten, Memmingen, Schweinfurt und Weiden.
Full details and maps are at the Bayern Digital Radio website.
May 15th 2001
The German digitalradio-info.de site has been redesigned and the coverage prediction maps have moved. The links in the Ensembles List have been updated.
May 15th 2001
Schhhhh!
DAB is top secret! Any information you have found on the Net must have
slipped out accidentally and will probably get deleted by the DAB Police Ensemble before you have a chance to actually read it.
Most secretive of them all are the manufacturers. Specifications? Ask a question and the response is usually "Who wants to know?" or "It would help us if you could tell us a bit about your background." Friends of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will appreciate that, compared to DAB manufacturers, the Planning Department were being paragons of openness when they posted Arthur Dent's Demolition Notice in a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the leopard". If you have anything that you really would like kept secret, just inform the publicity department of your local DAB manufacturer.
The broadcasters, too, complain that take-up has been "sluggish". But when was the last time you heard digital radio promoted on the analogue services?
ORF's website makes absolutely no mention whatsoever of DAB. (Please, please, prove me wrong if you can!) A personal enquiry at the reception at Argentinierstr. produces a well-meant but unhelpful brochure about ORF Digital (the combined radio/TV bouquet on Astra). Doubtless, these same bodies that put out no information will be the ones that moan that the public aren't interested and be the first to pull the plugs.
Then there are the sites that publicise DAB and make it sound very
attractive, but must be afraid they will scare the public out of their wits if they should go into any, er, details.
The YLE site is very nice, very clean, but... where are the facts & figures? What frequencies are used? Which transmitters are operating at the moment? Which parts of Finland are served? All very basic questions, but conspicuous by their absence.
Our DAB Gold Medal goes to Germany, whose many sites are informative and thorough. Outstanding among them is the German DAB "Bible", the DAB Atlas produced by the TKLM. Other countries please note - this is the way to do it!
So remember: DAB is top secret. Please don't tell anyone I told you so!
May 14th 2001
Section on Spain completely revised with new observations and Snapshots added for Catalunya. The situation observed in Barcelona is completely different from that seen a year ago. In view of the differences on the "RNE" ensemble between Madrid and Barcelona (admittedly the observations were two months apart), these ensembles are now listed separately for each area. It is possible that the ensembles are constructed locally from available feeds rather than transported as a complete ensemble. (Anyone?) On the Block 11D ensemble, two Service Labels appear to point to the same Capacity Units. Two of the four ensembles in Barcelona were observed to be radiating TII, both using the same code for Collserola . Further information about TII in Spain would be most gratefully received!
May 14th 2001
Broadcast Asia 2001 takes place this June in Singapore from the 18th to the 22nd, and digital broadcasting will be foremost in everyone's minds. The Asia DAB Committee will host a session on the afternoon of June 21st entitled "The Business of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) - Opportunities for All". Speakers at the event will come from the UK, the USA, Singapore and Taiwan. It is likely that ISDB-T will be represented at Broadcast Asia 2001 also.
May 11th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the Southend & Chelmsford local digital franchise to Now Digital Ltd. The ensemble will use Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Essex. Now Digital proposes to commence its service in January 2002, from four transmission sites, at Southend-on-Sea, Benfleet, Bakers Wood and Colchester, and to implement another two, at Sudbury and Harlow (Rye Hill) during the first 24 months.
May 10th 2001
South Yorkshire and Tyne & Wear local ensemble Snapshots updated.
May 7th 2001
Liverpool local ensemble Snapshot updated.
May 7th 2001
Receivers page updated with products from Cymbol, Grundig and Sony.
May 3rd 2001
Bosch PCI card added to Receivers page.
May 3rd 2001
Car radio from TMC (Taiwan Microwave Communication) added to Receivers page.
May 3rd 2001
VDO Dayton added to Car Radios section of Receivers page.
May 3rd 2001
A second DAB product from Terratec has been added to the Receivers page. MP3 On Air is a PCI card for Band III and L-band in all four transmission modes, permitting real-time recording of DAB audio as WAV, mp2 or mp3. The card has optical and coaxial digital outputs and an RDI interface. The other DAB receiver from Terratec, the DR Box 1 requires 12v dc power and can work alone or over a USB link to a PC. The spec describes an optical digital audio output only.
May 2nd 2001
TII information for RTBF added to the Belgium chart, courtesy the site DAB Belgique. The two broadcasters, VRT and RTBF, have adopted their own numbering schemes for TII. Currently there are no number conflicts. Those sites, for example Wavre/Waver, which transmit both ensembles have a TII for each broadcaster.
May 2nd 2001
The DAB operator for Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz is present at the Fachmesse Multimedia Market currently taking place at Stuttgart-Killesberg. Promised on display are hifi tuners, car radios and PC cards for stationary and mobile DAB reception. Digital Radio Südwest GmbH is in Hall 5, Stand 280, May 2nd - 4th.
May 2nd 2001
On the Liverpool and South Yorkshire local ensembles, the Services "Big..." have been replaced by a service labelled "Real Radio".
April 26th 2001
Two new transmitters, Dover and Hastings, were added to the UK Digital One network in April. A third transmitter, Chillerton Down, had its power increased following agreement with the French authorities. Dover will operate at reduced power until similar clearance is obtained.
April 25th 2001
The price of DAB receivers is inching steadily down. Dixons are offering the Psion Wavefinder for £199.99 plus £3.25 carriage in the UK. Please send details of other DAB offers!
April 25th 2001
The Receivers page has been updated with two new DAB-capable models from Tag McLaren. The beautiful Roberts Radio model is still in development and not yet available. Transmission Mode info has been added to more receivers.
April 24th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received two applications for the Ayr local digital franchise:-
Score Digital Ltd. (Scottish Radio Holdings plc.)
Switchdigital (Scotland) Ltd. (The Wireless Group plc; Clear Channel International Ltd.; Capital Radio plc; The Carphone Warehouse)
SCORE Digital proposes to commence broadcasting within 24 weeks of an award of licence from three transmission sites, at Darvel, Troon and West Kilbride. A fourth transmitter, at a site yet to be selected, will be added in year five of the licence period. Switchdigital proposes to commence broadcasting all of its services in March 2002, using two transmission sites, at Darvel and Brown Carrick Hill. A third transmitter, at Largs, will be added at a date to be announced in the future.
The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the early autumn.
April 20th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Exeter and Torbay. The ensemble will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Devon. Closing date is 24th July 2001. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the early autumn.
April 19th 2001
Lintec DAB antenna added to Aerials page.
April 17th 2001
Swedish TII table corrected.
April 17th 2001
A new ensemble is on-air in Lyon. Numericast is radiating on Block LE with four audio services, NRJ, RIRES, NOSTALGIE and SCOOP.
April 17th 2001
The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel in France announced recently its agreement to a new ensemble in Lyon to carry the services of Radio France. There are suggestions that this ensemble will operate in Band III, which would be a first in France. More when known.
April 17th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has released a revised timetable for the roll-out of local and regional digital franchises. The Ensembles page has been updated with these latest dates.
April 11th 2001
Two UK companies, national digital operator Digital One and Imagination Technologies, have announced a partnership which it is expected should reduce the price of digital radios to below £150 within a year and below £100 thereafter. Also envisaged is the development of personal stereo digital radios in addition to the existing hi-fi and in-car systems. The two companies are to work together on the development of a low-power, low-cost digital receiver module which will form the heart of the new radios. More info...
April 6th 2001
UK Digital One Snapshot updated. Classic FM is currently being broadcast in Joint Stereo.
April 6th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the Aberdeen local digital franchise to Switchdigital (Scotland) Ltd.. The ensemble will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Switchdigital proposes to commence broadcasting all of its services in December 2001, using three transmission sites, at Meldrum, Durris and Mormond Hill.
April 6th 2001
UK TII table updated. Sweden TII table added. A full list of Swedish DAB transmitters, including their frequencies, ERPs and TII is maintained by Teracom AB. Coverage maps are downloadable from the same site.
April 4th 2001
One application has been received by the UK Radio Authority for the Southend & Chelmsford local digital franchise. The applicant is Now Digital Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the GWR Group plc. Now Digital proposes to commence its service in January 2002, initially using four transmission sites, at Southend-on-Sea, Benfleet, Bakers Wood and Colchester, and implementing another two, at Sudbury and Harlow (Rye Hill) during the first 24 months. The ensemble will use Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for the existing BBC local radio service, BBC Essex, The authority expects to announce its decision within two months.
April 3rd 2001
The quality of audio being transmitted on DAB has been commented on in these pages already, but a recording made recently in Taiwan is worthy of special mention. Error-free reception of the service VHBN on the Block 11D ensemble resulted in a recording of which the following 30-second clip (636kb) is typical. Just about everything is here - a high noise floor, impulsive noise which appears to be modulation dependent and faint "birdies" in the background. It is frequently the practice to derive off-air feeds from an FM service when an ensemble is launched, just to get the service up and running, but the example here would alienate anyone sampling DAB for the first time in a showroom or a friend's home. Listen!
April 3rd 2001
The introduction of DAB into New Zealand is under consideration and to that end the Ministry of Economic Development published an Engineering Consideration Document with an invitation for comment by January this year. That plan proposes the allocation of 13 channels in L-band on the same raster as Canada and corresponding to Channels 8 to 20 in the Canadian raster. Band III is allocated to television and unavailable for DAB.
April 2nd 2001
Information on Sweden updated.
March 31st 2001
Swiss TII table updated.
March 31st 2001
Regional ensembles added to Sweden.
March 30th 2001
UK TII table updated.
March 26th 2001
Arcam are promising a new DAB tuner with improvements to hardware and software. The DT81, part of their DIVA range should be available in "the late spring".
March 23rd 2001
The price of DAB receivers is inching steadily down. Richer Sounds are offering the Technics DAB tuner for £299.95 plus £8.50 carriage. Please send details of other DAB offers!
March 23rd 2001
The price of DAB receivers is inching steadily down. A new floor is set by the price of the Videologic receiver from unbeatable.co.uk of £284.99 (not including delivery). Please send details of other DAB offers!
March 23rd 2001
The pilot DAB transmissions in the Dublin area have ended. There are currently no DAB ensembles on air in the Republic of Ireland.
March 23rd 2001
A new PC DAB receiver has been announced by TerraTec at this year's CeBIT. The DR Box 1 will work over a USB connection to a PC or independently into a HiFi system. Real-time mp3 audio recording is one of the features promised by this newcomer. More info...
March 23rd 2001
The Kenwood car receiver, KTC-959DAB is discontinued. A new model is promised for this year's Funkaustellung.
March 16th 2001
On the BBC SFN, the service formerly labelled "BBC 5Live Sport+", a Secondary Service to BBC Radio 5 Live, and also a Primary Service in its own right, has been relabelled "R5L Sports Extra".
March 16th 2001
In Germany, the Technischen Kommission der Landesmediananstalten has published the most complete overview to date of the DAB situation in Germany. The 140-page PDF Atlas Digital Radio Deutschland 2001 has been broken up into sections, so that the Atlas may be selectively downloaded.
March 16th 2001
In France, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel has published details of the candidates to run the DAB services in the Paris and Ile de France region. Most proposals are encouragingly realistic, but others do not bode well for the quality of audio to be broadcast on the new ensembles. If accepted, one candidate apparently proposes to run as many as 20 audio services per ensemble. At a Protection Level of 3 that would mean a bit rate of 56 kbit/s for a music service! It is to be hoped that the Conseil will be impressed more by the quality of applications rather than the number of services proposed!
Radio France's proposals, if accepted, would mean the welcome appearance on DAB of the service France Culture, which has been sorely missed by this writer!
The full list can be found at the site of the Journal Officiel.
March 16th 2001
With the size of the main Ensembles document now over 250k, it is necessary to try to split it up into smaller units. This move has been resisted as long as possible, since the whole raison d'être of the site was to present the world's ensembles in one location. The first and most obvious move is to present the TII data on a separate page. Future sub-divions of the ensembles list will probably be by geographical area.
March 16th 2001
Snapshots added of the three ensembles broadcasting in Madrid.
March 13th 2001
The UK Radio Authority received three applications to run the third Greater London digital franchise:-
The Digital Radio Group (London) Ltd. (GWR Group plc; The Wireless Group plc; SMG plc; Matsushita Electric Europe Ltd. ; RMG (Ritz Media Group) plc; Carphone Warehouse plc; Asian Sound Ltd.; Clubmend Ltd.; Channelfly plc; Time Out Ltd.)
London Digital Radio Ltd. (SCORE Digital Ltd.; Saga Regional Digital Radio Ltd.; Forever Broadcasting Digital Radio Ltd.; Etheraction UK Ltd. ; The Radio Development Company Ltd.; Somethin' Else Sound Directions Ltd.; Indigo Technologies Ltd.)
MXR London Ltd. (Chrysalis Group plc; Soul Media Ltd. ; Capital Radio plc; Guardian Media Group plc; UBC Digital Ltd.; Spectrum International Radio Ltd. ; Ford Motor Co. Ltd.)
The ensemble will run on Block 11B (218.640 MHz)
DRg proposes to commence broadcasting using eight transmitters, six months after award of the licence. The transmitter at Croydon would be implemented eight to ten weeks after licence award, with transmitters at Alexandra Palace, Bluebell Hill, Guildford, Reigate, Zouches Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Kemsing on air by 22 weeks after licence award.
LDR proposes to commence its services from the Croydon transmitter eight weeks after licence award, followed by the implementation of transmitters at Alexandra Palace 18 weeks after licence award, Bluebell Hill, Guildford, Reigate, Zouches Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Kemsing 24 weeks after award, and High Wycombe, Brookmans Park, Hungry Hill and Clackett Lane Services 28 weeks after award, subject in each case to frequency clearance.
MXR London proposes to commence broadcasting its services, initially from the Croydon transmitter, around eight weeks after the licence award, subject to frequency clearance. Additional transmission sites at Alexandra Palace, Bluebell Hill, Guildford, Reigate, Zouches Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Kemsing will be operational from October 2001, and at Brookmans Park and High Wycombe from November 2001. Another three sites, at Bagshot (Hungry Hill), Harlow (Rye Hill) and Stevenage (Pin Green), will be added subsequently.
The Authority hopes to award the franchise in the early summer.
March 13th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Dundee & Perth. The ensemble will use Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Closing date is June 19th. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the early autumn.
March 12th 2001
Coming up: Central Scotland and Leeds ensembles expected May.
March 12th 2001
Snapshot for Tyne & Wear added. Snapshot for South Yorks updated.
March 12th 2001
An embarassing error in the Greater Manchester Snapshot corrected. Thank goodness no one noticed!!!
March 12th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the regional digital franchise for North West England to MXR Ltd. (Chrysalis; Capital Radio; Guardian Media Group; Jazz FM; UBC Digital; Soul Media; Ford Motor Co.). Their ensemble will use Block 12C (227.360 MHz). MXR expect to begin broadcasting by the end of September 2001 from Winter Hill, Moel y Parc, the Sunley Building (Manchester), Blackpool Tower, Lancaster, Pendle Forest, Sutton Common and St. John's Beacon.
March 6th 2001
New Snapshot for Edinburgh created.
March 6th 2001
BBC Radio Scotland has popped up on the Edinburgh local ensemble at 128 kbit/s, Joint Stereo.
March 6th 2001
The Liverpool local ensemble launched last month minus the advertised "BIG Liverpool". It is likely that this is connected to the dispute reported by The Sunday Times.
March 6th 2001
New transmitters have recently been added to the SFN in Switzerland.
In Suisse Romande, La Dôle and Chasseral. In German-speaking Switzerland (DRS), Feschel, Ravoire and Riffelalp in Wallis (Valais) and Rigi in Zentralschweiz.
March 6th 2001
UK TII Table updated.
March 6th 2001
VideoLogic have announced a new version of their DAB tuner to follow on from the DRX601E. The DRX601ES will feature a silver anodised aluminium front
panel along with silver finish casework and controls. Further enhancements
include cool blue LED indicators and an easy to read blue/white display. It is claimed the new version will improve upon the audio quality of the DRX-601E with optimised PAC(tm) Technology for psycho-acoustic compensation
March 6th 2001
Ensemble Labels added to the new Snapshots. Unlike the rest of the Snapshot, which is based on observations, these values are derived from official data. Please let me know any discrepancies.
March 4th 2001
Snapshots added for new UK ensembles in Bristol & Bath, Cardiff & Newport, Coventry, Liverpool, Loughborough and Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury.
February 28th 2001
In Singapore, the MediaCorp ensemble includes Conditional Access services which are broadcast on behalf of Rediffusion as a replacement for the closed circuit coax system in the city state. The Receivers page has been updated to include the receivers available from Rediffusion which are equipped to decode these CA services.
February 28th 2001
In South Yorkshire, Classic Gold has been added to the Emap ensemble.
February 28th 2001
The British newspaper The Sunday Times recently reported disagreements between digital franchise holder Emap and service providers GWR and The Wireless Group. The dispute centres around the terms under which services are carried on Emap's ensembles and has led to the disappearance of services.
In South Yorkshire, BIG - South Yorks has disappeared from the Emap ensemble. It is likely that BIG - North East has been pulled from Emap's Tyne & Wear ensemble.
February 27th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received two applications for the Aberdeen local digital franchise:
SCORE Digital Ltd (wholly-owned subsidiary Scottish Radio Holdings Ltd.)
Switchdigital (Scotland) Ltd. (The Wireless Group plc; Clear Channel International Ltd.; Capital Radio plc; The Carphone Warehouse)
The Radio Authority expects to award the franchise in the Spring.
The winner will use Block 11C (220.352 MHz).
SCORE proposes to commence broadcasting all of its services no earlier than October 2001 and no later than June 2002, using one transmission site, at Durris. It proposes to extend coverage subsequently by the addition of transmissions from Granite Hill and Mormond Hill.
Switchdigital proposes to commence broadcasting all of its services in December 2001, using three transmission sites, at Meldrum, Durris and Mormond Hill.
There is space reserved on the ensemble for two BBC services, Radio Scotland, and the Gaelic language service, Radio Nan Gaidheal.
February 28th 2001
The new ensemble for Liverpool has popped up on Block 11B: 218.640 MHz. This will be a test transmission initially and may be liable to interruptions and other odd effects.
February 27th 2001
The "snapshot" format has been modified to include Conditional Access. Currently, only two CA services are known, broadcast on the MediaCorp ensemble in Singapore on behalf of Rediffusion. Please let me know of any other CA services.
February 27th 2001
A new 500w transmitter in Coburg has been added to the SFN for Bayern. Coverage of the Band III Landesensemble now stands at 76% of the population. As well as improving coverage within Bayern, the new transmitter will have the effect of extending coverage outwith Bayern towards Erfurt.
February 27th 2001
Observations and Snapshots added for Taiwan.
February 27th 2001
Snapshot of Singapore ensemble added. The Radio Corporation of Singapore is now known as MediaCorp. Accordingly, the Ensemble Label has changed to "MediaCorp SR".
February 27th 2001
In Hong Kong, the test DAB ensemble continues to be broadcast on Block LJ, in spite of the Government's decision last year not to introduce regular DAB services into the SAR. The service FM 104 Select is now known as Metro Finance.
February 10th 2001
UK TII Table updated.
February 10th 2001
The London test ensemble operated as part of the DRAFFT project is now known as "NTL Experimental"
February 9th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has awarded the West Midlands regional digital franchise to MXR, a consortium of Chrysalis Group, Capital Radio, Guardian Media Group, Jazz FM, UBC Digital and Soul Media. MXR proposes to begin broadcasting by the end of August 2001, subject to frequency clearance being obtained, from eight transmission sites - Sutton Coldfield, Turners Hill, The Wrekin, Bromsgrove, Daventry, Ilmington, Shilton and Pye Green. There is currently capacity reserved on this ensemble for BBC Asian Network. However, it was one of the BBC's proposals for the future of digital radio that the Asian Network should be included on the BBC ensemble. It remains to be seen whether the reserved capacity continues to be a requirement.
February 8th 2001
A potential new pitfall is emerging for would-be buyers of DAB receivers: the car radio control unit that brags "DAB" on its panel and "DAB control" in its publicity. This doesn't mean of course that for the price you see you will necessarily have included the (separate) DAB tuner! Caveat emptor!!
February 8th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the local digital franchise for Bournemouth. The ensemble will operate on Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Solent. Closing date is May 15th, 2001.
February 8th 2001
Entry for Loughborough University revised.
February 6th 2001
Entry for Italy updated. Since the last update, an 8th transmitter has been added to the SFN operated by RAS serving Alto Adige (Südtirol).
February 5th 2001
The Croatian ensemble of HRT serving Zagreb is reported to have returned to air today.
February 5th 2001
The Loughborough University test ensemble will be operating on Block 11B (218.640 MHz).
January 31st 2001
18 groups have applied for DAB franchises in the German Länder Berlin and Brandenburg. On offer are Blocks 12D, 11C and 8C for the entire Länder, as well as regional franchises in L-Band on, respectively, Blocks LE, LB, LA, LC, LA and LI.
January 31st 2001
Possibly the world's smallest DAB service has just been announced. Loughborough University's Department of Computer Science is to run a DAB transmitter to research and test new DAB applications. However the ensemble will also include Oak FM, Loughborough's local commercial radio station, enabling digital broadcasts to an area within a five mile radius of Loughborough.
January 30th 2001
The absence of DAB signals in Croatia, observed on 27.01.2001, was apparently due to a transmitter failure at Mt. Sljeme. I hope to report here when the ensemble is live again.
January 30th 2001
The new ensemble for Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury has popped up on Block 11B: 218.640 MHz. This will be a test transmission initially and may be liable to interruptions and other odd effects.
January 30th 2001
The extension of DAB coverage into the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland, Ticino, has been postponed. It will not now take place until the summer at the earliest.
January 29th 2001
The entries for Croatia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have been revised. The information here now directly contradicts the World DAB Forum's web site, however the entries are based on direct observations in the first two cases and information from the broadcaster in the third.
January 29th 2001
Observations in Budapest added.
January 29th 2001
Observations in Vienna added.
January 29th 2001
The UK TII table amended.
January 29th 2001
The new ensemble for Bristol & Bath has popped up on Block 11B: 218.640 MHz. This will be a test transmission initially and may be liable to interruptions and other odd effects.
January 29th 2001
The UK Radio Authority awarded the regional digital franchise for South Wales and Severn Estuary last week. MXR Ltd expects to begin broadcasting on Block 12C (227.360 MHz) in July 2001, using ten transmission sites which will be brought into service progressively between July and November 2001 at Mendip, Dundry East, Christchurch, Wenvoe, Bath, Abergavenny, Ebbw Vale, Aberdare, Kilvey Hill and Carmel.
January 22nd 2001
In Finland, YLE has begun a new Swedish-language service on DAB. X3M+ compliments the existing service X3M and will run as an alternative to the main service to cover sports events. There are now two DAB services for Finland's Swedish-speaking population.
January 22nd 2001
The BBC has revised its proposals for new digital television and radio services and extended the public consultation process to February 28th.
January 22nd 2001
Last year's updates moved to a new Archives file.
January 21st 2001
New observations in Paris added.
January 21st 2001
ORF transmitter sites for Wien added.
January 19th 2001
"Snapshot" of RTBF ensemble in Belgium added.
January 19th 2001
Frequency planners meeting in Geneva last week discussed the reallocation to T-DAB of some L-band frequencies currently assigned to satellite radio. Such a move would free spectrum for the development on new, localised DAB services. According the World DAB Forum:-
* Sales of the Psion WaveFinder, a multimedia radio receiver for PCs, has more than doubled the total number of all sets in the market place since its launch in November.
* French Minister for Culture and Communication, Mme Tasca, has appointed radio expert Ann Coutard to carry out new research on the digital radio market - terrestrial, satellite and the interaction with GSM mobile telephony. The report is due in March 2001.
* There 450 different DAB services now available across 20 different countries, reaching a potential 300 million people.
* More than 55 stations are on air in Canada covering 37% of the population. This will rise to 55 per cent by the end of this year.
January 19th 2001
Texas Instruments in Houston this week announced a new LSI chip for DAB receivers which is claimed to be "40% cheaper" and consume "60% less power". Production quantities are expected in April. "TI will make portable digital radios a reality.", says their press release.
Full Story
January 19th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has advertised the Ayr local digital franchise. The ensemble will operate on Block 11B (218.640 MHz). Capacity is reserved for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal at 128 kbit/s each. The closing date is April 24th 2001.
January 17th 2001
The February issues of UK hifi magazines HiFi Choice, HiFi World and What HiFi all include reviews of various DAB tuners, between them covering the Sony, Technics, Videologic and new Arcam FMJ DT26 models.
HiFi World makes a valid point about the number of radios and tuners on sale today boasting themselves to be "digital" but which in reality are nothing more than digital readout. The UK "Observer" newspaper recently described how a lad in one London store tried to convince its reporter that they were selling "digital radios" for £39. Caveat emptor!
January 17th 2001
Further to my comments from January 16th, I'm advised that the Technics ST-GT1000, the Clarion DAH9500z and the Blaupunkt D-FIRE 01 all permit manual tuning also.
January 17th 2001
Australia began official broadcasting of DVB-T in the five mainland capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) on January 1st. Band I is being used.
The bouqets include "radio" services and it seems this mode of delivery may be preferred to DAB. DVB-T has been proven to be capable of mobile reception.
The choice of this platform for radio services would mean, however, that any car radios and portable receivers would have to be manufactured specifically for Australia. It will be interesting to see how the choice of Band I affects the TV performance. UK memories of greater susceptibility to electrical interference and unusual propagation in the summer are still very vivid.
Digital Broadcasting Australia web site.
ABC Digital web site is "undergoing refurbishment".
January 17th 2001
Entries and Snapshots for Lyon updated. The Numericast ensemble is not broadcasting in Lyon at the moment.
January 16th 2001
In Lyon, BFM has replaced RCF on the TDF ensemble. "Snapshot" of VDL ensemble added.
January 16th 2001
The UK Radio Authority has received three applications for the North West England regional digital franchise:
The Digital Radio Group (Wireless Group; GWR; Emap; SMG; Carphone Warehouse)
MXR Ltd (Chrysalis; Capital Radio; Guardian Media Group; Jazz FM; UBC Digital; Soul Media; Ford Motor Co.)
North West Digital Radio (Forever Broadcasting; Saga; SCORE Digital; Radio Development Co.)
The Radio Authority expects to award the franchise "in the early Spring".
The winner will use Block 12C (227.360 MHz).
DRg proposes to begin broadcasting October 2001 from Winter Hill, Moel y Parc, Holme Moss, Pendle Forest, Morecambe Bay and Lancaster.
MXR proposes to begin broadcasting August 2001 (assuming a licence award in March or April), using eight transmission sites (at Winter Hill, Moel y Parc, the Sunley Building (Manchester), Blackpool Tower, Lancaster, Pendle Forest, Sutton Common and St. John's Beacon).
NWDR proposes to begin broadcasting October 2001 from Winter Hill, Sutton Common, Moel y Parc, the Sunley Building, Blackpool Tower and Pendle Forest) initially, and two others (at Lancaster and Morecambe Bay) from November 2001.
January 16th 2001
During a tropospheric lift January 14th, reception of the VRT ensemble in Belgium was reported in the Welsh borders, along with the Greater London local ensembles. We are in an interesting period for DAB DX. With relatively few blocks occupied, the way is clear for signals to pop up during enhanced propagation in the way some of us will remember used to be possible in Band II. As more ensembles come on air, these opportunities are likely to diminish. For this kind of DX, a tuner which permits manual tuning through the bands is essential. One tuner known for this capability is the Sony 777ES. The Arcam, on the other hand, which uses the Search & Store method, is not really suited to this kind of reception. I'd be interested to hear which other DAB receivers permit manual band-scanning.
January 16th 2001
Information about Croatia added.
January 16th 2001
Since October, the ORF has been transmitting an ensemble covering the Inn valley in Tirol. Transmitters are at Patscherkofel and Seegrube. The goal is to complete coverage along the corridor from Bayern to the Brenner pass. Innsbruck is thus also served by digital radio.
January 14th 2001
One of the questions most frequently asked in the Newsgroups is "What aerials are available?". A new page has been added to the site which surveys those aerials specifically intended for DAB reception. It is not exhaustive, and I would be grateful for information about aerials not covered.
January 11th 2001
The ensemble operating on Block 12A in Sachsen is for West Sachsen. A future ensemble will cover Ost Sachsen on Block 5C.
January 11th 2001
Three new transmitters have been added to the SFN operating on Block 12C in Sachsen-Anhalt: Naumburg, Kulpenberg bei Sangerhausen and Dolle Gardelegen/Haldensleben. These additions increase coverage by 500,000 in Sangerhausen, Nordhausen and Naumburg. 2.5 million people are now served by the DAB transmissions in Sachsen-Anhalt.
January 10th 2001
Singapore ensemble frequency added. A second ensemble is understood to be planned later this year.
January 8th 2001
Hong Kong policy on digital terrestrial broadcasting, including DAB, is set forth in a discussion document on the SAR government web site.
January 8th 2001
In Bayern, additional transmitters for the Landesensemble SFN have been brought into operation at Alzenau, Herzogstand, Kinberg and Kreuzberg. Coverage for Bayern has now reached 83% of the territory and 75% of the population.
January 7th 2001
Travel Now, on the Greater London Switch ensemble, continues as a test service, referring to a future, unspecified opening date.
January 3rd 2001:
The snapshot format is being modified to represent Ensemble Label where this is known.
January 2nd 2001:
Expected this month: Ensembles in Bristol & Bath, Coventry, Wolverhampton. Liverpool is expected to follow in February.
01.01.01:
The UK Radio Authority advertised the Southend & Chelmsford local digital franchise before Christmas. The ensemble will operate on Block 12D (229.072 MHz). Capacity is reserved for the local BBC radio service, BBC Essex. Closing date is April 3rd. The Authority expects to award the franchise in the early summer.
Stories from 2018
Stories from 2017
Stories from 2016
Stories from 2015
Stories from 2014
Stories from 2013
Stories from 2012
Stories from 2011
Stories from 2010
Stories from 2009
Stories from 2008
Stories from 2007
Stories from 2006
Stories from 2005
Stories from 2004
Stories from 2003
Stories from 2002
Stories from 2001
Stories from 2000
|
Please send updates and corrections.
carey@wohnort.org
© 2016 wohnort media
Usual Banner Photo: NASA
|
|
