FáilteDAB: Coverage, Tests and Services

kazoo106

Fáilte DAB tests have been picked up today in the North East on 2 Frequencies, Block 7C (192.352MHz) and Block 10D (215.072MHz)
Both seem to be carrying the same multiplex with ID 2e02 and one service on board called called "Sionnach" (SID 2002) in DAB+ at 64kb/s. This is currently carring a 450Hz test tone.

As an advocate of DAB Radio in Ireland, I wish them the very best of luck and really hope that this is a big success story for them, and that it is the start of good things to come.

No idea of the TX locations, I'd imagine that 10D is away from the coast, its 20dB weaker here and it is co-channel with a very strong MUX from North West Wales and Anglesa on the same frequency (the Welsh one is winning here at the moment)

There are also some rumblings over on social media surrounding 7C and this being close to the input frequencies of PMR Repeaters up North, this is something I'm unaware of however.

Anyway best wishes to All at Fáilte DAB for their endeavours and can't wait to hear some content on air.

Charles Slane

As initially reported by kazoo106 on another thread, FailteDAB has commenced testing on 7C - 192MHz.

So far there is just one service with an audio tone, which is titled with the Irish word for "fox".

kazoo106

Just to be clear and not to be breaking any boards rules, an English translation of "Sionnach" is "Fox" - Not to be confused with Newscorp - this is probably put there in the context of Cunning or intuative.

Manc-Red_

Quite looking forward to this here in West Dublin. Can listen to in the car but if Nova was to be relayed on Failte mux - I’d definitely get a Dab radio for the home.

Leg End Reject

Mod: Threads merged

medoc

Signal in the car about 20km west of Tullamore. Must be similar coverage to the RTE trial a few years ago.

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123295194#Comment_123295194

The RTE trial could be picked up in Limerick and Cork. I haven't tried picking this up yet admittedly but I presume not. It would be nice if every local station was available throughout the country. I'd be able to travel from Limerick to Waterford, through Tipperary and listen to 95FM for the whole journey

Ger Roe

Transmission sites and projected coverage map is available here : https://failtedab.ie/#coverage

CrowdedHouse

Receiving near Roscrea

140m asl, upstairs room. Nothing in car outside

Orban6

I'll hazard a guess that it's 3Rock and Saggart that are on. There's no chance (I think) that I could receive Bray or Balbriggan here. Mt Oriol is a possibly. Unfortunately the frequencies on the coverage map are not much help.

Manc-Red_

Just up near Saggart here ….

Ger Roe

Failte DAB received in Kilpedder, Wicklow, last night.

This will be interesting as I was never able to receive the RTE DAB at this location.

Glaceon

I think they changed something on the ensemble because I was still getting a signal but no tone. A rescan brought it back and I had to remove the old one.

Charles Slane

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123300124#Comment_123300124

Yep, same here.

Leg End Reject

Mod

Hi all, there's 3 DAB threads in the forum, any preferences on how to merge them?

Hotblack Desiato

Keep this one separate anyway imho as it's discussing an actual test

Infoanon

Nova XTRA and Classic Hits 80s are now on DAB according to their respective websites.

Onic (formerly Wireless) are announcing 10 new dab stations....I assume there will be time sharing ?, Country /Rock /80s amongst the genres ,all under the Onic banner.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123300993#Comment_123300993

Wwould everyone be happy if I added 'Test' to the title to distinguish it? Or suggest an alternative name to differentiate it?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123301427#Comment_123301427

Still only getting the Sionnach test channel here so they might be a bit premature!

Manc-Red_

Nova Xtra.

bennyx_o

This may be a stupid question, but why are they broadcasting a different station instead of Nova? Would that not cost them extra? If all went well with the trial, would we not expect the majority of stations currently available on FM to be on DAB also?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123301538#Comment_123301538

I guess the idea is to provide additional choice rather than just relaying the FM services, which would be a bit pointless nowadays.

Leg End Reject

Mod: Thread renamed courtesy of @StreetLight to distinguish it from the other thread.

DublinsABC

Can they run ads on these new station's or is it like the RTE News when Radio one is relayed ?

Infoanon

Yes they can run ads , Nova Xtra has an how to advertise section on 'its' website.

Lord Nelson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123302152#Comment_123302152

Yes, whilst it’s a trial service, unlike the 30 day temporary FM licence, normal advertising can be accepted as opposed to “sponsorship”. It’s my understanding that CNaM have received over twenty applications for content licences so hopefully a good range of diverse music genres and programming will appear.

waywill1966

So stations such as Nova whose licence permits them to broadcast in Dublin and surrounding counties, can they broadcast nationwide on DAB without affecting the terms of said licence?

Charles Slane

Plans for Wireless (rebranded as Onic) to launch 10 digital stations. Will all of these (or any) arrive on FailteDab?

https://radiotoday.ie/2025/03/wireless-ireland-and-urbanmedia-rebrand-to-onic-and-launch-10-new-radio-services/

StreetLight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123302695#Comment_123302695

Yes, they will be launched on FáilteDAB.

Charles Slane

https://radiotoday.ie/2025/03/coimisiun-na-mean-announces-support-for-dab-trial-at-radiodays-ireland-event/

Orban6

Either they've added another transmitter on 215 mhz or they've increased the power. It was the weaker of the channels that I can receive. It's now marginally stronger than 192 mhz.