DAB in Waterford

rogue-entity · 06-05-2010 5:23am #1

One afternoon I decided to experiment and see if by any chance RTE had extended their DAB coverage to the Waterford/South-East area (Suir Valley or Mt Leinster).

When I scanned I picked up 'TotalDAB' rebroadcasting WLR FM, Beat and a placeholder 'Total' playing nature sounds. I wasn't the only one who noticed it though, someone on Radiowaves had spotted it too and posted a thread about it.

Turns out it's a research license and the mux is being run by Total Broadcast. So far there's 8 stations broadcasting in 192k

Total
Total +
WLR FM
Beat
South East Radio
Country Mix
Radio Kerry
Tipp FM

I wonder if they could secure a permanent mux license..

RobitTV · 16-05-2010 9:29pm

IM Going to Waterford Tomorrow Cant wait this try this DAB Radio trial and it covers most of the city and also in some high places in Co.waterford you can get DAB Radio quite good cant wait to try this on my Portable DAB

Minstrel27 · 17-05-2010 1:01pm

I wonder if it can be received in Dungarvan.

RadioRetro · 17-05-2010 5:07pm

Should do, the TX is now on high ground and the coverage area is the five SE counties.

bkehoe · 17-05-2010 6:25pm

You might be able to get it on the high ground to the West of Dungarvan (e.g. out towards Ring, with a view to the North-East), but I really don't think you'd get it in the town even with an external antenna as the hills to the East will block the signal. But if you try then be sure to post your results; it has been received in North Co. Cork.

If testing with just a radio with a whip antenna, e.g. while walking around, then do try experimenting with the length of the antenna. Many DAB radios are dual DAB/FM and thus come with an antenna which can be extended longer than what is optimal for DAB. In my testing a length of about 43 - 46cm seems to deliver the best results.

Minstrel27 · 17-05-2010 7:17pm

How long are these tests expected to operate? I will need to buy a radio and was thinking of one with internet radio/FM/DAB all included (if one exists).

decies · 17-05-2010 9:02pm

Minstrel27 wrote: »

How long are these tests expected to operate? I will need to buy a radio and was thinking of one with internet radio/FM/DAB all included (if one exists).

roberts 202 is your answer son.

Minstrel27 · 17-05-2010 9:38pm

Thanks Paw

RadioRetro · 18-05-2010 3:45pm

Minstrel27 wrote: »

How long are these tests expected to operate?

They have a one year research licence.

decies · 18-05-2010 6:58pm

RadioRetro wrote: »

They have a one year research licence.

Isnt dab supposed to be spread to the south east by the end of year anyhow.
http://www.digitalradio.ie/coverage.htm

bkehoe · 18-05-2010 9:07pm

South East corridor would to me suggest the N11 commuter belt of Dublin, e.g. Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, maybe Arklow. Achieved by upgrades to Kippure I guess. I don't think RTE have any short term plans to bring DAB to the South East.

L1011 · 22-05-2010 6:51pm

Kippure was turned on some time ago, the coverage map there pre-dates it.

Guramoogah · 28-07-2013 2:15pm

What is the current situation regarding DAB in Waterford? Argos are currently selling a Bush DAB receiver for half price but there's no point in me buying one if there's no coverage in my region.