BBC DAB reception in Bournemouth

VulcanDriver · 08-11-2009, 6:58 AM

In the past week BBC radio 4 and BBC 7 have been cutting out every 30 seconds or so. The signal strength goes from 100 to 0. I have three DAB radios and all of them have the same problem so its not a radio fault. Does anyone know if the BBC DAB transmitter for this area is having problems? Normally the BBC DAB is rock solid. Other DAB stations are OK.

postmaster · 10-11-2009, 9:51 AM

I'm in the same area and all my DAB stations are breaking up and cutting out. I have just arranged to send my radio back under warranty but having seen your post am now in two minds about doing so.

cgreenwell · 10-11-2009, 7:00 PM

Just joined today as I have found the recent problems with reception of bbc channels very frustrating particularly when it was perfect beforehand. Is there a method of raising this problem with the bbc?

VulcanDriver · 10-11-2009, 8:50 PM

Hi All It seemed to have settled briefly but listening to the 6.00 news on BBC Radio 4 tonight there were breaks of several seconds. I'm wondering if the BBC are unaware of the problem.

Devjon · 11-11-2009, 9:01 AM

Hello All,

I have been experiencing this problem for more than a week now. We have four DAB radios scattered around the house. A Blick DAB+ radio alarm Ipod dock, Roberts in the Kitchen, a small Pure radio in the office and a Pure stereo system in the lounge, all exhibit the same symptoms so it is the source and not the equipment.
I will try contacting the BBC and see if they will admit to what the problem is, DAB is stuffed anyway but at least we can use the FM tuners and get a higher quality signal.

postmaster · 11-11-2009, 12:58 PM

Has anyone experienced the same problems with non BBC DAB channels?

VulcanDriver · 12-11-2009, 5:37 PM

Planet rock is OK. I noticed that the BBC R4 Today programme was OK until 7.30ish when the dropout re appeared. Most strange.

VulcanDriver · 12-11-2009, 5:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devjon

Hello All,

I have been experiencing this problem for more than a week now. We have four DAB radios scattered around the house. A Blick DAB+ radio alarm Ipod dock, Roberts in the Kitchen, a small Pure radio in the office and a Pure stereo system in the lounge, all exhibit the same symptoms so it is the source and not the equipment.
I will try contacting the BBC and see if they will admit to what the problem is, DAB is stuffed anyway but at least we can use the FM tuners and get a higher quality signal.

Hi Devjon I'm in Poole too, so we must be using the same transmitter. I thought it might be the Parkstone transmitter but I'm not sure as someone told me it was on the IoW. If that's the case then Southampton / Portsmouth would be affected too.

VulcanDriver · 14-11-2009, 9:34 AM

It seems that the BBC has fixed the problem as the DAB service is now once again rock solid since Friday morning. I've discoverd that we get our DAB off the Poole transmitter located in Parkstone. Is everyone else OK?

terryjohn5k · 15-11-2009, 8:00 PM

I have six Dab radios around my home on Canford Heath Poole. One with external aerial the others fixed and I have been having this problem for a few weeks. I contacted Ofcom who are going to investigate, but I have not had the problem since Fri 13 Nov. What has annoyed me is that I went and bought a new outside aerial and now I know didn't need it!!
I have lost Talksport and Radio Solent from my external aerial tonight, but when I screw on the original internal aerial they work - I have not changed anything and yesterday they were ok but today - nothing!! Any thoughts??

bobcats · 17-11-2009, 1:10 PM

Derby area down the tubes today, only available station is talksport, Booo..

signal strength of 20is tries external aerial no difference.

No phone numbers at the bbc but filled in their reception fault webform..

terryjohn5k · 17-11-2009, 4:43 PM

have lost DAB Talksport and Radio Solent from my external aerial since 14 Nov 2009, but when I screw on the original internal aerial they work - I have not changed anything and yesterday they were ok, but today - nothing!! Any thoughts??
I am in Canford Heath Poole Dorset and my External aerial is facing the Poole (Constitution Hill) repeater mast which is also in line with the Isle of Wight.

al_typeR · 18-11-2009, 6:57 AM

I live in new milton (so about 7 miles the other side of bournemouth to yourselves) and have had a few problems with BBC reception on DAB. I am lead to believe that the constitution hill mast is as you say just a repeater from the main mast at rowridge on the isle of wight (the same mast you recieve your tv signal from). They did have problems a few months ago with the signal defulting to mono so maybe it is simply the same problem getting worse.

cgreenwell · 19-11-2009, 7:26 PM

Just received the following response from the BBC:

I understand you've encountered problems with your DAB reception recently.

Our engineers are currently aware of a problem which affects Digital Radio
Reception from the Rowridge Transmitter with intermittent reception.

The BBC and its transmission contractors, Arqiva, are conducting a full
enquiry regarding the issues raised by this incident. We apologise for
these interruptions and your consequent loss of enjoyment.

Engineers will be on site within the next few days with replacement parts
to restore normal reception.

Thank you for bringing this fault to our attention, as this information has
been invaluable to us and we apologise for any inconvenience this has
caused you.

terryjohn5k · 20-11-2009, 11:17 AM

I have lost DAB Talksport and Radio Solent from my external aerial since 14 Nov 2009, but when I screw on the original internal aerial they work - I have not changed anything and yesterday they were ok, but today - nothing!! Any thoughts??
I am in Canford Heath Poole Dorset and my External aerial is facing the Poole (Constitution Hill) repeater mast which is also in line with the Isle of Wight.
I have contacted Digital One but they are only concerned with their platform which includes Talksport - their prognosis is that my external aerial is overloading my radio - but how can that be when I cannot get any other station on their platform.
Any help and advice about please?

al_typeR · 04-02-2010, 9:20 PM

cgreenwell who did you write to in the BBC? I just seem to be going round in circles trying to find a technical department to contact as the problem is getting worse not better.

It seems now though to be limited to mornings and is fine at night. It happens on 3 receivers one of which has a specific external arial the other 2 being just the wire type. Again only happens on BBC stations.