What's the point of DAB radio?

Norman_Castle

stator wrote: »

When you get it, it's better. More stations and higher quality on BBC.

It can be better compared to a poor FM signal. With good reception the quality is worse.
https://www.astra2sat.com/radio/uk-digital-radio-bitrates/

Stoke

I think DAB is pretty good tbh. In my previous crappy Mazda using the OEM antenna, it was excellent. On my newer motor with a stick on windscreen one, it's not bad.....

poppasmurf_bewdley

I've had a DAB radio in my car for about three years, and 99% of the time, it's been great. There are a couple of bad reception spots in my nearby town, but interrupt for less than one minute.

I did have a bad patch, like you, on the M4 when driving from Newport to Cardiff docks, when I had to change to FM, but that's the first time I've ever had to do that.

I've only used FM, MW or LW on two or three occasions since having DAB. At home, I'm completely DAB as well. No old fashioned FM or MW for me.

Gloomendoom

I've had DAB in my car do around eight years now with a decent quality external aerial. Signal drop outs are extremely rare unless in hilly or mountainous areas. I have to agree that sound quality on most stations is better on FM. However, the station I listen to most isn't available on FM.

alanrowell

The two stations I listen to the most are only available on DAB. In all my time driving a car with a DAB radio I've had few occasions when the channels dropped out.

molerat

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Signal drop outs are extremely rare unless in hilly or mountainous areas.

Unfortunately where I live ............

neilmcl

Doshwaster wrote: »

The whole point of DAB is to be able to tune into Test Match Special without the crackle of LW.

^^This, plus the fact you're not forced into listening to the shipping forecast

Apart from that I never use it. The sound quality will never be as good as a decent FM signal, traffic report (TP) system is useless and doesn't give localised information, unless you're in one of the major cities, known to interfere with dash cams etc. Nice to have as an option but really ins't that good.

NaughtiusMaximus

Doshwaster wrote: »

The whole point of DAB is to be able to tune into Test Match Special without the crackle of LW.

The difference being if you're listening on analogue in a weak signal area or driving where the signal is variable, you can still at least still listen to the radio when it's crackling. With DAB in the same situation, the radio jumps between a perfect reception and complete silence making it effectively unlistenable.