DAB in Ireland: RTE multiplex closed

The Cush wrote: »

RTE R1+/ RTE 2FM+ are both back again after a retune, 16 services found on DAB Ireland Mux1. Anyone out there with a DAB+ receiver to confirm that they're DAB+ tests? I should be able to check later this week or early next week, I've ordered the new Roberts ecologic 15 DAB/ DAB+/ FM RDS clock radio

Yep, I checked and they're both DAB+ with a scrolling text saying "This a DAB+ test".

The text is interspersed with a message to retune, the details of what's on now and next and the following text -

Trial DAB+ Service of RTE Radio 1

and

Trial DAB+ Service of RTE 2FM

The Cush wrote: »

Coverage map here (Sept 2008) - http://www.rte.ie/digitalradio/images/DAB-map-large.jpg

More recent DAB coverage map from Dec 2009 here including Kippure coverage area - http://www.digitalradio.ie/images/DAB_Dec09_hiRes.jpg

http://www.digitalradio.ie/can-i-get-dab/



Coverage is predicted for 1.5m above ground.

Reciption threshold is:
48 dBuV/m – outdoor car radio
57 dBuV/m – indoor kitchen radio
64 dBuV/m – pocket radio


According to Comreg the ERPs allowed for the DAB transmitters are
- Clermont Carn 5kW
- Kippure 20kW
- Spur Hill 10kW
- Three Rock 20kW
- Woodcock Hill 10kw

Clermont Carn restricted NW-SE 0-170 degs and 330-360 degs
Three Rock restricted NE-SW 30-230 degs

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

Any reason for this ?

There must be, I don't know it.

Is the 12C frequency allocated to any local multiplex in NI.

Was getting all of the RTE DAB stations until a few days ago from Three Rock I think, now only the conmmercial stations (Sunshine, Amazing etc) are there no sign of RTe. Anyone else getting this?

The Cush wrote: »

Retune (RTE Jr/RTE Chill audio) ... [Mono 80 Kbps]
Retune (RTE 2XM audio) ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]
Retune (RTE GOLD audio) ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]
Retune (RTE R1x audio) ... [Mono 80 Kbps]
Retune (RTE Pulse audio) ... [Stereo J 112 Kbps]

These 5 duplicates have now been removed from DAB.

The RTÉ R1+ and 2FM+ DAB+ tests are also off air.

9 services found after reset/prune. RTE Radio 1Extra and RTE Jr Radio now transmitting on 112 Kbps Joint Stereo, up from 80 Kbps Mono

RTE Radio 1 ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]
RTE Radio 1Extra ... [Stereo J 112 Kbps]

RTE 2FM ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]
RTE 2XM ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]

RTE RnaG ... [Stereo J 112 Kbps]
RTE LYRIC ... [Stereo J 160 Kbps]

RTE GOLD ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]
RTE Jr Radio (0730-2100) / RTE Chill (2100-0700) ... [Stereo J 112 Kbps]
RTE PULSE ... [Stereo J 128 Kbps]

Scrolling text: Please prune/trim station list to remove inactive radio services



Edit @ 1730: RTÉ R1+ and 2FM+ DAB+ tests have returned

RTE Radio 1 + ... [48kbps / DAB+]
RTE 2FM + ... [48kbps / DAB+]

bitrates on some of the other channels have reduced as a result
- RTE Radio 1Extra down to 80 Kbps
- RTE Jr Radio down to 80 kbps
- RTE PULSE down to 112 Kbps

Edit @ 2315: DAB+ tests off-air, bitrates back to their previous values
- RTE Radio 1Extra up to 112 Kbps
- RTE Jr Radio up to 112 kbps
- RTE PULSE up to 128 Kbps

mackersdublin wrote: »

Is there any official word from RTÉ on when / why RTÉ Choice was removed from DAB and Saorview

Nothing official from RTÉ.

Same programming on both channels since Aug 2012 - http://ilikeradio.net/2012/08/. According to this post - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83167493 from last Jan the schedules of RTE Radio 1Extra and RTE Choice have been the same since then.

RTE Choice was mentioned in RTÉ 2011 Annual report (summer 2012)

• RTÉ Choice - the best of international public radio and RTÉ feature archives

• RTÉ Radio 1 Extra - a catch-up and split-content service for RTÉ Radio 1

but gone from the 2012 Annual report (summer 2013)

• RTÉ Radio 1 Extra - the best of international public radio and RTÉ feature archives while offering a catch-up and split content service for RTÉ Radio 1.

http://www.a516digital.com/2013/01/rte-radio-1-extra-announces-end-of-uk.html
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1787337

The Cush wrote: »

Edit @ 1730: RTÉ R1+ and 2FM+ DAB+ tests have returned

RTE Radio 1 + ... [48kbps / DAB+]
RTE 2FM + ... [48kbps / DAB+]

bitrates on some of the other channels have reduced as a result
- RTE Radio 1Extra down to 80 Kbps
- RTE Jr Radio down to 80 kbps
- RTE PULSE down to 112 Kbps

Edit @ 2315: DAB+ tests off-air, bitrates back to their previous values
- RTE Radio 1Extra up to 112 Kbps
- RTE Jr Radio up to 112 kbps
- RTE PULSE up to 128 Kbps

In its 5 year strategy published today RTÉ says it proposes to roll out digital radio to approx. 80% of the population during the lifetime of the strategy using the DAB+ standard, dependant on commercial radio involvement and a national digital radio policy

Description

Since 2009, RTÉ has operated a Digital Terrestrial Radio service based on the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) standard which provides coverage to about 52% of the population from 5 transmitter sites. RTÉ provides all its radio stations on the DAB multiplex, including its digital radio stations.

RTÉ would wish to start the roll-out of a digital terrestrial radio platform on a phased basis to approx 80% of the population of Ireland within the course of this strategy and to actively market the service to audiences. It is proposed that the DAB+ standard is adopted, which is the second generation of DAB. DAB+ is more spectrum efficient than DAB which means more services can be accommodated, increasing consumer choice and the attractiveness of the platform.

Depending on take-up of digital radio, RTÉ’s digital stations, which are also available online, have the potential to enable RTÉ to address underserved audiences, such as younger listeners and migrants.

However, it is recognised that the successful launch of a DAB+ service is dependent on RTÉ working positively with the commercial radio companies. The Broadcasting Act provides the legislative basis for licensing of digital radio, but European experience shows there is a need for national regulatory and policy initiatives to ensure broadcasters’ engagement and to give etailers, manufacturers, potential new market entrants and, importantly, the public, confidence in the platform.

There is an understandable caution within the industry towards the development of Digital Radio. The proposition is complex, will require new transmission models and a degree of reinvention of the market, e.g. provision for new entrants.

Some see the DAB standard as an ‘old’ digital technology and believe Ireland should concentrate on newer digital technology instead; particularly IP (internet protocol).

Nonetheless, RTÉ believes that digital terrestrial radio has a vital role to play as the digital free-to-air universal backbone of Irish radio in an open and convergent media ecology.

In the event that it became public policy to roll out a national digital terrestrial radio service, RTÉ would support this policy by:

• Investing in the necessary DAB+ transmitters to extend coverage to 80% of population, the cost being dependent on frequency and network plans.
• Working with manufacturers and mobile operators to improve indoor and mobile reception of digital radio receivers.

In the meantime, RTÉ will work closely with key stakeholders to improve their interest in and engagement with terrestrial digital radio to increase the appeal of the technology to investors, broadcasters and audiences. We will continue to develop our digital radio services, providing attractive content that appeals to listeners and extends the choice of services available to them. We will trial content from our digital channels on our analogue services and, where appropriate, showcase the best of originated speech and music content to the larger audiences available on the analogue stations.

We will continue to develop our digital radio services, providing attractive content that appeals to listeners and extends the choice of services available to them. We will trial content from our digital channels on our analogue services and, where appropriate, showcase the best of originated speech and music content to the larger audiences available on the analogue stations.

marno21 wrote: »

Presume that's the five existing sites + Mt Leinster, Truskmore, Mt Leinster, Maghera and maybe some of the big town infills?

They should go ahead and upgrade Greystones, Gallows Hill, Tonabrockey, Knockmoyle, Kilduff, Clonmel and maybe 1/2 others while they're at it and do a proper job

+ Mullaghanish to cover much of south Munster, areas not covered by either Woodcock Hill or Spur Hill.

All the main high sites should have been done from the start, I bet we'll be lucky if Mt.Leinster, Mullaghanish, Truskmore and Maghera will eventually be "Dabbed", never mind the local low power sites.

The problem with using high sites such as Truskmore, Maghera, Mullaghnish ect is that the coverage can be too great. This causes problems when planning a single frequency network. DAB SFN network tend to use more lower power TX's, rather then fewer high power "high sites".
Timing is critical with a SFN.

If I retune and can see RTE1 and RTE1+, could someone please tell me in plain English if I should choose RTE1+ over RTE1 and why?