I suffer from insomnia and during the night, using ear phones, I listen to BBC world radio. I seem to recall that I could not get any English stations abroad in the past. I wondered if a digital radio would pick up a clear signal in France and Spain. Any one any experience of this?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We use a Roberts radio (not DAB) and receive Radio4 on LW as far as Royan/Oleron, and at least as far south as the Loire inland. It's also possible to get the world service on short wave across most of France, times and frequencies available from the BBC website
You will not pick up a signal on a DAB radio as you're outside the satellite "footprint". Always wanted to get a DAB myself but no good in Ireland as, again, outside the transmission footprint of UK stations.
I'm pretty sure that DAB has'nt evolved as quickly in France as it has here. There are a few stations, but these are situated in the main cities, even then only a few. The other problem is that France uses L band, whereas we use band 3, so a uk set will not work. I was going to take mine but as there was no signal in N. France, I'm nor bothering. Not sure about Spain. Check on Google.
Can I listen to UK DAB digital radio stations if I live in Spain, Germany, etc.?
No, the DAB signals do not travel that far. You would not be able to pick up any UK services using a DAB digital tuner abroad. To see which country-specific services may be up and running in other countries, please see the World DAB site.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
What you probably need is a shortwave radio or world band radio. There are loads of english language programs broadcast from all over the world at all sorts of times and you will be able to find something regardles of where you are. BBC World Service for one. Do a google search for International Radio Listeners Database for frequency/times etc..
Try Argos or Maplins for a cheap one but for a good one you can expect to pay more than a DAB radio. Sony do a nice portable model SW77 http://www.wsplc.com/acatalog/Sony_Portable_Receivers.html For best reception you will need to string out a long wire to use as an antenna.
You can also fine on that same site WorldSpace Digital Recievers but they are for Satelite audio not DAB.
DAB is broadcast from terrestrial transmitters not Sattelite so you will not get the UK DAB signals in France etc....