Boosting DAB radio signals?

Conrad_Hart

Hi.

I recently bought a DAB radio (I had a thread about it on here). Unfortunately there is little to no signal - I can only get FM to work. But that defeats the object of paying £50 for a DAB - I think I'm going to take it back for a refund. Meanwhile............

I'm wondering if there's any way to boost the signal of a DAB radio - with a separate aerial booster and what kind of output/socket I'd need.
The current Radio's aerial is just a piece of wire - which seems pretty useless (is it better to get a radio with one of those telescopic aerials?).

Never had these kind of problems with analogue signals.

Well thanks............

WTFH

What make/model of radio is it?

Conrad_Hart

Roberts Dreamtime2

http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/Products/DAB_radios/DREAMTIME2/index.htm

Twisted_Cherry

Buy a separate plug in aerial that will boost the DAB signal for you. My dad recently had the same problem and we bought this from Maplin (see link below!) and it really has improved the DAB signal on his Sony Hi-Fi


http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/one-for-all-indoor-digital-tv-and-radio-aerial-with-signal-booster-a95gt


I am thinking of getting one myself for my own radio as I have trouble picking up the DAB signal!

Rodders53

Twisted_Cherry wrote: »

Buy a separate plug in aerial that will boost the DAB signal for you. My dad recently had the same problem and we bought this from Maplin (see link below!) and it really has improved the DAB signal on his Sony Hi-Fi :


I am thinking of getting one myself for my own radio as I have trouble picking up the DAB signal!

NOOOO That is an amplified antenna and will amplify noise as much as any wanted signal. http://www.aerialsandtv.com/ampsandsplitters.html#ampbasics explains why to avoid these!

The DAB transmitter network (BBC especially) is, in fact, designed for indoor reception in many locations. But IF another antenna is needed then one outside is the proper answer. http://www.aerialsandtv.com/fmanddabradio.html may be helpful reading.

However there are some places where DAB will never be good unless extra frequencies and more transmitters added, due to destructive interference within the network.

http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/coverage/postcodesearch/ may indicate if you are well served or have borderline reception.

The simple wire antenna used on the Roberts radio linked to in this thread is probably one of the worst to have.... but extend it VERTICALLY as high as you can get it to give it the best chance of picking up some signal as all DAB transmissions are vertical. Moving the radio around a few inches to a foot may also make some difference. It's unlikely you can connect an alternative aerial of any sort to that style of radio (but if there is a plug/socket arrangement not mentioned in the manual....)

googler

If the piece of wire is hard-wired to the radio itself, all you can do is bare the end of it and attach more wire.

I_have_spoken

Roberts Dreamtime2

Return for a refund, there no way of connecting an external aerial

Conrad_Hart

Looks like I'll have to get a refund and then have a rethink. Any ideas?

Though the refund terms and conditions are normally only if it's faulty aren't they (as opposed to completely useless)?

From that digital map it says "good reception", though to avoid looking bad that could well be the bottom level response for the website (Excellent and Very Good being the only 2 others).

Enterprise_1701C

Unfortunately with DAB radios it is still a case of you gets what you pays for.

I have an old Pure DAB Bug, picks up a lot of stations, but even that doesn't pick up our local radio station that has recently gone DAB!

Conrad_Hart

I'm coming to the conclusion that DAB radio is more than a bit over-rated. May as well just get an FM/AM radio for a small fraction of the price.

I_have_spoken

Looks like I'll have to get a refund and then have a rethink. Any ideas?

Do you have a broadband internet connection? You could get one of the 'radios' which streams stations over the internet (and gives you access to BBC Listen Again etc.) with any number of channels available.