Features

BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Assistant Editor Mark Jones answers the most common DAB-related questions that arrive in his email inbox.

"I've switched on my new DAB radio and I can't seem to tune into BBC Radio Gloucestershire. What am I doing wrong?"

Your radio set is working perfectly it's just that the transmitter network hasn't caught up yet! The only DAB transmitter in Gloucestershire broadcasts the national DAB radio stations. BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Severn Sound, Classic Gold, Star 107.5, GFM and FOD Community Radio are not yet on DAB.

"When will you be on DAB?"

The roll out of DAB radio services across the country is controlled by the radio regulator Ofcom. In 2007 it announced the timetable for local DAB in Gloucestershire.

The new Gloucestershire "multiplex" should be on air later in 2010. The operators timetable has changed slightly due to technical refinements that are being made to  frequency planning across the UK.

As well as BBC Radio Gloucestershire you'll be able to hear other existing local radio stations plus a range of new ones. BBC Radio Gloucestershire will continue to broadcast on FM and AM but the new non BBC services will be DAB only.

"So, no matter where I am in the county I will be able to get local and national DAB after that date?"

The answer to that is - almost certainly - no.  DAB works a bit like FM in that it goes in straight lines from the transmitter to your radio.  If a hill gets in the way you won't receive the signal.

Predicted DAB coverage for the county

All your local services will come from new transmitters built at various locations around the county. The good news is that areas like the North and South Cotswolds will receive us in DAB.  The bad news is that many areas of the Forest of Dean will have difficulty receiving the new DAB signal.  The DAB multiplex operator is working on the transmission system and doing its best to get the signal to as many people as possible.

Your national DAB services come from a transmitter near junction 11 on the M5 as well as other transmitters outside the county.

(Click on the "Map: Gloucestershire DAB coverage" near the top right of this page to see a detailed map of predicted coverage in the county.)

"I live in Cirencester and receive BBC Swindon on my DAB radio.  What’s going on?"

You are picking up the local multiplex for Swindon because the signal from there reaches your radio set.  In the same way that you can hear BBC Radio Swindon and BBC Radio Gloucestershire on FM you will in the future be able to hear both on DAB. In Cheltenham and Gloucester you are likely to be able to receive BBC Hereford and Worcester on your DAB radio.

"I receive DAB in my kitchen .. but not in the lounge. Why?"

You are probably on the edge of the reception area for DAB.  Unlike FM which gets progressively weaker the further you are from the transmitter, the DAB is either there – or its not!  Your radio will process the digital information for as long as it can .. if it doesn't get all the digital information it gives up!  Occasionally you'll get a digital burble instead of silence but either way it isn't working.

You can try a few tricks to improve the reception.  Make sure your radio aerial is vertical and not at an angle.  That’s what DAB likes.  Try moving the radio to nearer the window.  That will help.  If both of these tricks fail you may need to invest in an aerial on the outside of your house.  This assumes you can plug an aerial lead into the back of your DAB set / hifi.  Talk to your local TV aerial shop for advice.

"I don't have a DAB set yet – which one should I buy?"

Well I have four DAB sets and they all have their quirks!  Look online for specialist radio shops or pop into a local shop that can offer you advice.

The important point is to buy one that has at least DAB and FM on it. If possible buy one that has DAB and FM and AM on it. This is because there will always be stations on FM or AM that aren't on DAB .. or you may move to a place where DAB reception is poor.  Equally, even after we are on DAB we will at times split frequencies and put, say, rugby commentary on AM and DAB... and football commentary on FM. 

"When will we know for sure the launch date for BBC Radio Gloucestershire on DAB?"

We'll keep you fully advised of the situation here on this website (bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire) and on air too.