Can somebody explain to me in simple terms why is that when I do a scan on my radio it says I can recieve 40 or so stations. When I then scroll through the stations and try to tune in to them most are unavalible. I have the radio on most of the day at work and would like to chop from station to station when I get fed up with one or the other,mostly the adverts.

That would mean no Planet rock or Absolue classic rock and sometimes The Arrow and Real XS depending on where I am working.I would rather have silence than Radio 2 or Heart

Yah, DAB signal is still a bit weak and needs a certain strength to be available.

DAB is transmitted in 'multiplexes' i.e there are 'bands' that carry a selection of stations. Some of the bands are transmitted at different signal strengths depending on the transmitter in your area. This is because if some of the multiplexes were transmitted at full power then they would interfere with other transmissions from that aerial.

The multiplex carrying the BBC stations for instance is always quite strong, but the multiplex carrying Absolute and Planet Rock is a bit variable in strength depending on where you are.

Your set might pick up the carrier for all the multiplexes, but in reality when you try to tune to one station then as you've found out, there isn't enough signal strength for a reliable receipt of signal.

If / when the analogue radio signal is turned off at some point in the future, then all the digital multiplexes will be turned up to full power - in the same way that all the digital TV multiplexes were turned up when the analogue signal was turned off recently.

You don't say what your radio set is? I've got DAB working brilliantly in my car now, using a 'powered' aerial that actively amplifies the signal. It never drops out and I can receive all the multiplexes.

But at home, my set didn't receive everything, like yours, with the indoor aerial. I bought an external aerial and put it outside the house - I actually just bolted it to the garden wall. Then ran the cable into the house and plugged it into my set.

I don't know if your set has a socket on the back for an external aerial does it? If so, then I'm afraid that's the only way you're gonna get all the stations just now.

Dear t5,

DAB signal strength is exceptionally variable. One of the display modes should include signal strength.
Wonder around with the radio and you may find a place with good signal.


Sod's law says this is not going to be somewhere you can readily place said receiver

regards,
Jet

moving on from my original question, How good are the car sets? I would like to replace the radio/cassette in my van with DAB radio but if the reception is going to be hit and miss that would drive me up the wall.Its pretty hilly arond here in darkest Sussex and mobile phone reception is poor in some parts. Will the radio signal ever be increased or is it all just talk.

I have a Blaupunkt head unit with a small external magnetic aerial, I regularly go from south Kent to Dorset and the DAB reception is very good all across the south. I bought mine to mainly listen to 6 music as there are no FM music stations I can stand outside of London, it very rarely breaks up or drops out. I get good reception in northern France too