Dab Radio Explained

So what is it? And why is it here?

Digital radio is a relatively new way of broadcasting radio via a network of terrestrial transmitters. This particular broadcast method is called DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting and involves the conversion of analogue signals into a digital format.

And once it's in digital, anything can happen!

Digital sounds better. It's clearer. It's easier to tune. And it has more space on its frequency to allow more services. Digital affords the opportunity to broadcast more specialised content, like 24 hour news, a children's channel and a series of music service catering for very different tastes. So that means you can get what you like, whenever you want it and wherever you like.

Digital radio is made up of a single group of frequencies called a multiplex. RTE has its own multiplex and is now in a position to fill that platform with both existing and brand new services. RTÉ's four existing radio stations are available on DAB. But the fun bit is the provision of four new radio services:

RTÉ MUX

RTÉ Radio 1 - Music and speech
RTÉ Radio 1 AM Simulcast - RTÉ's AM radio service on DAB
RTÉ 2FM - Rock and Pop music station
RTÉ Lyric FM - Classical music plus jazz, world music and arts
RTÉ Radió na Gaeltachta - Irish language station
RTÉ Choice - Quality speech radio
RTÉ 2XM - Where music matters
RTÉ Gold - Pure Music
RTÉ Junior - Just For Fun!
RTÉ Digital Radio News - The Bulletin News Service
RTÉ Digital Radio Sport - The Sports Service

 

Commercial MUX

DAP All 80's - Turn on-Sing-Feel good!
DAP Mocha - R'n'B & Soul
FM104 - Dublin's hit Music Station
98FM- Dublin's best music mix
Pahntom FM- Quality sounds only!
Spin1038 - More music
Today FM - Ireland's l independent national radio station
Q102 - Picks you up and makes you feel good
Radio Kerry- Local radio station for the Kingdom.
Newstalk- Different nation different station

This is just for starters. There are plans to roll this service out beyond Dublin and the North East to other major population centres. We have to start somewhere and this is as good as any place to start!