Help Receiving BBC TV and Radio
DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting (the name of the system). To listen, you need a DAB digital radio - you can't receive digital stations on a traditional FM/AM radio.
Currently, around 86% of the UK can receive DAB digital radio. To find out if your area is covered, use this postcode checker.
Enter your postcode
(results from BBC Radio site)
NB: the postcode checker gives a prediction of the DAB coverage in your area. It doesn't allow for other factors, such as whether you live in a very built-up area, where reception may be affected.
BBC local radio services are broadcast on DAB by commercial operators, because the BBC only has the capacity to broadcast its national services. For advice about specific local radio reception problems, you should contact the local operator. See BBC local radio DAB transmitters for more information.
With DAB, you may sometimes get 'bubbly' or 'underwater' noises, or the sound may break up or cut out altogether, but you will not experience the hiss, crackling, fading or station overlap that you get with FM or AM radio.
The noises or break-up are usually caused by a weak signal. Try the following to strengthen the signal that your radio receives.
If you still can't get good reception, you may need an external aerial.
Most DAB radios can take an external aerial - unscrew the fixed aerial and attach the cable from an external aerial in its place.
DAB aerials are different from FM/AM or TV aerials, so make sure you have the right type. An indoor aerial may be enough, but for the best reception you can install an outdoor aerial. This should ideally be on the roof or high up on the outside of the building, though it may also give good results in the loft.
If you want an outdoor aerial, we suggest you have it installed by a professional aerial installer, either one registered with the (External) CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries) or a (External) Registered Digital Installer .
To listen to DAB radio in your car, you need a DAB aerial - an FM/AM aerial will not work.
DAB is less affected by interference than FM/AM radio. However, sudden interruptions, especially in regular bursts, may be caused by an electrical appliance or a faulty central heating or fridge thermostat.
Transmitter faults are rare, but if you experience a sudden problem with reception, you can check today's transmitter work to see if your local transmitter is affected.
The BBC's national digital radio stations use one set of transmitters, but its local radio services use different ones, so problems affecting some stations may not affect others.
When buying a DAB radio, look for the DAB logo. Some analogue radios are advertised as "digital", but this only means that they have a digital display rather than a tuning dial or bar.
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