[dhutch]

What are peoples thoughts on the above tuners?

My dad has been moaping about his old analogue quad tuner (circa 1970's) and the fact it wonders off tune a lot which is tedious as one of its main uses is timed recording* of radio4 shows which he then listens to in the car as part of his 90minute commute.

*Recored onto Sony MDLP and played back in the car using a portable md player and a FM transmitter due to the nature of the headunit in the audi not lending itself to replacement or a line in.

Basically, are they any good?
- Are all tuners now digital based?
- Will a dab unit pickup FM as well?
- What the station range on DAB?
- Is it likely a replacement rooftop aerial will be needed over the current fm one?

20 questions, but just trying to get upto speed.


Daniel

[Sonic67]

I think I get about 60 stations on DAB but I do have a decent aerial in the loft and live in Birmingham. If you want to receive a lot of DAB stations get a good aerial up high.

[dhutch]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

I think I get about 60 stations on DAB but I do have a decent aerial in the loft and live in Birmingham. If you want to receive a lot of DAB stations get a good aerial up high.

Ok, and presumably a DAB specific aerial is good?

We have a horizontal 3-bar roof top aerial which is about 3-4ft square but now 10years old and clearly not orgianaly designed for DAB.
- Like this only with even spacing http://www.midsussex-aerials.co.uk/i...m%20aerial.jpg

But wondering as well if thats an ok tuner, or what brands/models people are recommending or having success with at the moment. Presumably also as most tuners do FM as well, im not loosing out by geting a DAB able one just maybe spending money where a cheaper non DAB might be as good. Is geting dab as future proofing worth it do you think? Are they ever going to turn FM of like analoge tv


Daniel

[Sonic67]

I got a Dab aerial from Maplins, fitted it in the loft and then took a Dab radio up there. I pointed the aerial in different directions until I got the most stations and signal strength.

You can use a TV or FM aerial but they are designed for different frequencies and not ideal.

The digital Britain report talked about ultra-local radio on FM and a switching of radio stations to Dab.

There's also talk of a switching to Dab+ once enough people have enough combatible radios.

Digital Britain: Analogue radio switch-off set for 2015 | Technology | guardian.co.uk

[dhutch]

Who knows where the future will take us!

Dad ended up with an acoustic solutions sp111 tuner, which while not the most expensive piece of kit picks up FM and DAB fairly well with the existing aerial and for under £50 you cant complain.
- Ultimately, i cant see much point in spending £100's on a dab while there only broadcasting at 128bps or so.

Now im hooked, and keeping an eye out for a sp111 or dab500 of my own.


Daniel