Graeme_Storey Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 This is from the front page of SIBC's own website at www.sibc.co.uk :- --------------------Now no one believes that FM, at least for local radio stations, will be closed down for many years. There is certainly no current official plan for a switchover of local FM stations to digital. Part of the problem is that no digital system has yet been approved which is suitable for local stations with single main transmitter sites and large and geographically challenging coverage areas, like Shetland. The best-bet system to date has been DRM+, which was being tested in February on the former Talk 107 Edinburgh frequency from Craigkelly in Fife. The outcome of that will determine whether or not DRM+ will be used in the UK, alongside DAB.-------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratman Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 digital radio is coming to shetland in september 2011 with transmitter at bressay and one in scalloway so great news for all digital radio fans out there http://www.shetland.gov.uk/planningcontrol/apps/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 ^^ Great news ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 What's the point in the one in Scalloway??? Surely it'd make more sense to put one in Brae or Voe, it'd make sure a few more folks could recieve signal, the thought of garbled digi is alreadyn making my ears hurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Ok - we'll have one in Cunningsburgh instead, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckleJoannie Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I'd prefer if they added the missing digital channels to the Scalloway transmitter instead. I'm sure they'd be more interest in that than DAB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I am a BIG fan of DAB radio and I am hereby disagreeing with you, MJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Yes this digital stuff is good ,"hundreds of channels" but pop along the wireless museum at Hoswick & listen to an old old valve wirless .You will then appreciate that this transistored equipment we listen to now adays is ma'be not all it is supposed to be. I have an old valve radio that I inherited from my parents and digital radio, in my opinion, has a far better sound, is easier to tune in and turns on in an instant.Nostalgia is great but, having embraced the new technology of DAB radio some years ago when I lived down south, I am very happy to do so again here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbister Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 As of about half an hour ago (maybe still the case), the FM reception for Radio 2 is lost and BBC Scotland is not too great either. Roll on the introduction of DAB ! Radio Scotland won't be on DAB in Shetland. Radio Scotland is only available on DAB in those parts of Scotland where the BBC can justify the expense of renting space on the local commercial multiplex, and there is no prospect of a local commercial multiplex in Shetland, or in most of the rest of the highlands and islands. So we'll only have the national bundle in Shetland. There will be fewer (far fewer) stations on DAB than are already available by satellite or online. Graeme Storey is dead right. DAB is not a sensible technology for radio in even moderately hilly terrain, and certainly not a cheap one. It behaves much like a UHF television signal, as the need for a repeater in Scalloway confirms. People with DAB in cars in Shetland are in for a particularly frustrating time. I can testify that receiving a satisfactory signal even in allegedly well-served areas like central Scotland can be hit and miss. And a poor DAB signal - all bubbling noises and dropouts - is even more irritating than a weak FM signal. The other problem is the sound. Most DAB stations are compressed in order to fit them within the bandwidth available on the multiplex, the exception being Radio 3 (which, again, gives the game away). The claims made for sound quality on DAB have become more and more muted as the years have passed (they don't mention 'CD quality' much these days). To my ears, at least, it's noticeably poorer than FM, with a loss of presence, clarity and definition, even when there are no bubbles. DAB was the wrong choice. DRM+, which offers a digital signal on the FM band, is a far better option, and not just in Shetland, though implementing it given the paucity of DRM+ receivers on the market (not to mention the politics of the radio industry) will be a bit of a challenge. It's such a shame that DAB has been pushed so hard and that there is so much hype around it. My experience of it, at least, is underwhelming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilldellin Posted April 22, 2011 Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Just a pity any faults on the VHF/FM get such a low priority these days as when it's working as it should it is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daegerty Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 The problem with DAB is its too hard to set up a pirate station. Although not impossible with a USRP the stuff isn't available Commercial radio stations just aren't much good, due to their commercial nature they need to play ads. BBC is alright but a lot of ould wigwams on that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratman Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 GOOD NEWS FOR DIGITAL RADIO FANS OUT THERE BBC DIGITAL RADIO IS BEING BROADCAST FROM BRESSAY AND SCALLOWAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jz Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 ^^ I can't get anything in Levenwick - how is the reception for others? Update, I can now and the reception for e.g. Five Live is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 They must be sending it to Hillswick by pidgeon!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 took me a while to remember how to tune the DAB portable, but yay we have 12 stations (3 of them being R5), no sign of R7/R4e, signal is dreadful but then I am over near Waas. Now to find the instructions for the iBlik anyone know if it's DAB+? or just the basic DAB? I've missed it sooo much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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