Digital radios: FAQs
Can I receive digital radio in my area?
Not everywhere in the country can receive digital broadcasts, and some places have to put up with patchy quality. You can do a postcode check at Digital Radio Now.
Is there anything I can do if my area doesn't receive digital?
New digital transmitters are being set up all the time, so the coverage area is increasing. Alternatively, listen to some of the digital-only broadcasts through a digital TV set-top box or the internet.
Does digital always sound better than analogue?
Digital radios aren't always better than analogue
No. The best-sounding portable radios we've tested are digital, but some models actually have worse sound quality than the best analogue radios.
The main advantage DAB has over FM is that being digital it doesn't suffer atmospheric or electrical interference. This means DAB sounds crystal clear most of the time.
However, where FM radio is working well it can actually offer better sound quality than DAB. This is because in order for DAB to fit in more channels, the data travelling to your radio is tightly compressed by removing parts of the signal the broadcaster feels you won't be able to hear. This can reduce the sound quality on your radio.
All stations are compressed on DAB radio to some extent. It's less noticeable on spoken word channels such as Oneword and Radio Five Live because the sound they transmit is less demanding than music channels such as Radio One and therefore require less space.
The good news is that Radio 3 has largely been left intact – this will be (digital) music to the ears for its dedicated listeners
Do I need a special aerial?
Most digital radios have built-in telescopic aerials. These are fine if you live in an area with good coverage. If you live on the fringes of one of these areas, or reception is patchy, you could try installing a rooftop DAB aerial (which cost from £15) to boost the signal.
Bear in mind, though, that it will involve a bit of cabling – not ideal if you want to move a portable radio around.
What’s the greenest way to listen to DAB radio?
Choose one of our Best Buys for the greenest way to listen to radio. Table top radios draw an average of 7 Watts, but listening to radio via your TV can use 10 times this power.
How will the digital switchover affect radio?
The short answer is that it won’t. At the moment there are no plans to turn-off analogue radio.
I have limited dexterity is there a radio that would suit me?
The Roberts Rambler 76 is a basic radio with a vintage design. It has minimal controls which are well laid out, which is ideal for those with limited dexterity. However, it’s not a Best Buy.
My sight isn’t what it used to be, is there a particular model I should consider purchasing?
The Roberts Gemini RD49 or the Roberts Gemini RD46 are good for those with poor sight thanks to their large bright displays and easy to learn controls.