[mrcrow]

will FM radio still be broadcast in future
and if not
is there a device available which can receive digital and convert to FM

my friend has a very expensive FM tuner which the digital vesion is outside his budget

apologies for any ignorance
cheers
mrcrow
manchester

[Sonic67]

Well at present there are no plans to cut off FM. If there is there will be an announcement given years before hand as with the analogue switch off.

FM is currently used on MP3 players, Car stereos, Mobile phones, torches, stereos etc. The technology is so cheap it finds it’s way in everywhere. Meanwhile DAB doesn’t yet cover the whole country. I imagine it’s safe for at least 20 years yet maybe more.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...future_fm.html

[Chris Muriel]

Indeed.
FM radios have been given away in many cases and are available from pound shops.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

[mb23]

For the record, Ofcom are due to conduct another review of digital radio in late 2007 and they will then consider whether it is appropriate to set an FM switch-off date.

The best guesses are that this won't happen until at least 2020 but a lot depends on how quickly the new DAB+ system is adopted on a worldwide basis (being fitted in new cars, hifi systems and mobile phones etc as standard). This will reduce the price of receivers to the level of FM receivers.

The new DAB+ system has now received ETSI approval and has the go-ahead for launch this year. The technical specs look excellent, a huge improvement on the old DAB system:

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/do...3_2007_Feb.pdf

[mrcrow]

many thanks...i think my friend will be ok with 20 years...he is retired..as i am

cheers
mrcrow..manchester