Sorry to hear you’d bought the DAB radio before you copped the digital coverage area. As far as I know RTE have no plans to expand DAB transmissions into Mayo next year. However, there are some things bubbling under that will get DAB back on planning schedules in 2012 so I’m sure DAB will eventually get better coverage in the West.

Cheers,
Dusty

I understood that DAB radio was already rolled out nationwide with the same coverage as Saorview Digital TV.

I live in Ballina, Co. Mayo and receive good quality FM from Truskmore and other transmitters. I realise now after looking at the coverage map that there is no DAB transmitter near me. Does anybody know when DAB will be available in Mayo?

I listen to BBC Radio a lot over the internet.

Just go to http://www.bbc.co.uk and follow the links for radio.

BBC World Service and BBC World Service (rolling news) are also available on internet radio on smart phones

I do not expect the BBC will be available on DAB in Ireland … ever.

DAB transmits in a similar fashion to FM. Just like the BBC never established any FM transmitters in the Republic they will not establish any DAB transmitters either.

You are 100% correct to say you will still be able to receive the BBC broadcasts via satellite or the internet.

Cheers
Dusty

When do expect to relay BBC radio stations on DAB in Ireland ? I assume that when the BBC switches off the FM and LW frequencies their stations will not be available here except through the internet or satellite/cable TV which is not great if the TV is in use as a TV when you want to use as a radio.
I’m sure you already know that BBC Radio 3 and 4 have a large number of listeners here.

David.

RTE have no immediate plans to expand their DAB coverage which excludes South Kilkenny for now. However, there is a short-term DAB trial being run by Total Broadcast right now (Jan 2011). If you tune a DAB radio in Waterford City you should be able to receive all the local stations plus some Dublin based stations on DAB. For more information on that see http://www.totalbroadcast.net/DAB.html

DAB is similar to FM … as you would not expect to receive Irish stations on FM in London .. you will not receive them on DAB either.

I have two solutions for your mum.

1 – SKY: If you mum has Sky satellite television, look under the “Radio Section” and you’ll find all the RTE Radio channels.
2 – WI-FI Radio: I recommend the Roberts WM-202 as it has FM/DAB for all the local stations + Wi-Fi to get RTE via internet radio. Once it’s set up it’s dead easy to use.