Would you miss FM radio? Poll to follow

1066familyman · Jan 12, 2017

Norway has just turned off the FM signal apparently. DAB only there now (and internet radio of course).

Bloke on the news the other day suggesting we're hoping to go down the same route but are possibly 5 years away still. Says it will be " listener led", but we all know we won't have any say in it when push comes to shove.

So would you miss FM radio if our signal ends up getting switched off for good?

1066familyman · Jan 12, 2017

whitelion · Jan 12, 2017

I mostly listen to DAB but only because there's more stations available. The FM quality is superior with local stations and the BBC cluster.

studio150 · Jan 12, 2017

No doubt the current FM stations would transfer to DAB so dont see any issue. We survived the switchover on TV.

Normal Rob · Jan 12, 2017

The will wait until most cars on the road have dab radios. It's a long way off yet.

Captain Sensible · Jan 12, 2017

FM is still better in my car, we still have AM!! So can't see FM going anywhere.

happypig · Jan 12, 2017

No. Never listen to FM radio. Those old codgers who vote "yes" need to get with the program

BensGrandad · Jan 12, 2017

I only ever listen to FM not having DAB or using the internet for the radio, so I would miss it.

1066familyman · Jan 12, 2017

studio150 said:
No doubt the current FM stations would transfer to DAB so dont see any issue. We survived the switchover on TV.

Not as simple as station choice.

Audio quality of DAB is poorer than that of FM, and reception can be poor or non-existent in places for DAB too.

vegster · Jan 12, 2017

I have a DAB radio and it really isn't all its cut out to be. I certainly don't get crystal clear reception as advertised and of course you can't get matchday coverage on DAB due to BBC contractual reasons. Oh and plus my car radio will be fecked too.

carteater · Jan 12, 2017

If most cars had DAB in them then it would've happened already.

vegster · Jan 12, 2017

BensGrandad said:
I only ever listen to FM not having DAB or using the internet for the radio, so I would miss it.

I thought you might still be on a Crystal set ?

1066familyman · Jan 12, 2017

carteater said:
If most cars had DAB in them then it would've happened already.

I agree with you there. Original proposals for switch off was 2015, but the DAB issue of availability and reception in cars in particular has pushed that back.

Sound quality/bitrates don't seem to figure as an issue to any switch over plans. They probably reason, understandably, that most people listen to radio via car or portable devices rather than sit down and listen to a dedicated tuner as part of a hi fi set up.

studio150 · Jan 12, 2017

1066familyman said:
Not as simple as station choice.

Audio quality of DAB is poorer than that of FM, and reception can be poor or non-existent in places for DAB too.

But assume change over wouldn't occur until coverage issues resolved

GT49er · Jan 12, 2017

happypig said:
No. Never listen to FM radio. Those old codgers who vote "yes" need to get with the program

It's 'programme'. We're not going to be in the United States of Europe any more, but we're certainly not heading off to join the United States of America, where they have a strange language all of their own!
Just because you don't use it, it doesn't give you the right to say it shouldn't exist. I don't use Tampax, but I don't go round suggesting that those who do should just learn to do without them!

The Albion Roar · Jan 12, 2017

Radio Reverb is on DAB thanks to a trial run by the Home Office and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Previously, DAB was prohibitively expensive - there is no way Reverb could afford to go with it - until this low-cost trial.

It appears to be a success, and is being rolled across the country. It might hasten FM's demise, but as has been pointed out, DAB coverage isn't that of FM yet, especially in the car.

When that happens, I'm guessing FM will be re-assigned (rather than switched off).

GT49er · Jan 12, 2017

vegster said:
I have a DAB radio and it really isn't all its cut out to be. I certainly don't get crystal clear reception as advertised and of course you can't get matchday coverage on DAB due to BBC contractual reasons. Oh and plus my car radio will be fecked too.

.....and, to be honest, Radio 4 just doesn't sound right anywhere except on Long Wave. It jus has a different (inferior) tone.

1066familyman · Jan 12, 2017

studio150 said:
But assume change over wouldn't occur until coverage issues resolved

You'd think so yes, hence why bloke on radio said we're still probably 5 years away. They did originally anticipate a change over of around 2015.

I think DAB+ technology needs to be the standard really before they can justify switching off FM. That would kill several birds with one stone - better audio quality, reception, and more stations. There would still be trade off decisions to be made though in terms of balancing quality with quantity.

It will take a while yet from where we are now for DAB+ to be the standard that everyone owns. Hopefully that will keep FM going longer.

Eeyore · Jan 12, 2017

FM will become a thing of the past soon. As long as this works in line with the accessibility and affordability of DAB I won't mourn. It's a question of how internet coverage widens and, again, becomes accessible.

I thought about buying an internet radio but I see no point. TuneIn has everything and bluetooth runs speakers throughout the flat.

The reach is amazing. I can listen to TMS in open country and [MENTION=791]The Albion Roar[/MENTION] in a forest. I remember listening to a mates hospital internet show on a coach to Bolton Wanderers.

Being a radio enthusiast the progression never ceases to wow me.

I wrote my feelings after the win on the wireless at Fulham last year:

https://brightonlines.com/2015/08/15/a-win-on-the-wireless/

If all forms of media were taken from me and I was left with one, the radio it would be. And now we are all our own broadcasters.

happypig · Jan 12, 2017

GT49er said:
It's 'programme'. We're not going to be in the United States of Europe any more, but we're certainly not heading off to join the United States of America, where they have a strange language all of their own!
Just because you don't use it, it doesn't give you the right to say it shouldn't exist. I don't use Tampax, but I don't go round suggesting that those who do should just learn to do without them!

Righto Pops.
How is the listening experience using valves anyway ?

(and, yes, I'm kidding, don't see a great rush to turn off)

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