The Kintyre Forum

Thinking of replacing a clock radio - was in a store the other day and wasn't sure what to buy, person beside me said you have to get Digital - is this correct?? Is it of any benefit in Kintyre, is Digital Radio going to be any better than Digital TV reception wise ??

Digital radio and digital tv are unconnected. At present a DAB digital radio won't work in Kintyre - though coverage should be extended soon - so don't buy a radio which does not have FM.

There are moves towards eventually switching off FM radio but this won't happen for several years. No date has been set but it certainly won't happen until the vast majority of people are listening on digital.

If you're being told you NEED to get a digital radio, I'd suggest you speak to Trading Standards.

Thank you Jamie, good of you to take time out of your busy schedule to reply, the person beside me was browsing too - not a sales person, so no Trading Standards problem there - but it got me thinking should I be purchasing a Digital Radio, but if it doesn't work in Kintyre then I'll continue with my initial choice which had the FM option.

Even if you could receive a digital signal in Kintyre, you don't NEED a digital radio at all. Digital radio is far from being the dead certainty that the powers-that-be want you to believe it is. Save money and buy a normal, perfectly functional FM radio that you'll be able to enjoy for years to come.

for info, i can currently get digital radio in Glenbarr.

Fair point - you'll be able to get a signal from Northern Ireland!

I tried out my digital radio in the town when I was home once but couldn't get a freak signal - the coverage maps are always deliberately cautious and only show where good reception is guaranteed. For instance, when I was a kid in the late 80s, I could get Radio 1 on FM from Blackhill easily in Calton Avenue - it wasn't on the local transmitter for some time.