Norway to become 1st country to switch off FM radio

[Sylvanfan]

I can still pick up AM radio in much of St.Albert/Edmonton.

Of course if it was a DAB, there would be a hell of a lot more choice.

I'd also need to sink a few more dollars into my depreciating asset that I drive around in. Than again...sound is a luxury. In Alberta broadcaster now owns us.

[simmer2]

Another fine example of government making a decision that the public doesn't want...so much for democracy.

On a side note, does this mean corporations can use it to broadcast instead then? Or does government have the ability to just eliminate a form of communication?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by simmer2

Another fine example of government making a decision that the public doesn't want...so much for democracy.

On a side note, does this mean corporations can use it to broadcast instead then? Or does government have the ability to just eliminate a form of communication?

The government is mandating the the spectrum used for current FM raisin be used for digital radio. This allows more people to broadcast over the same amount of spectrum. So the government is increasing the amount of communication that can be done on a given spectrum

In general the government regulates who is allowed to use what frequencies and for what purposes in a given spectrum so it is used efficiently and to prevent interfence.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle
With the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price,
Almost free

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It would be nice if AM960 changed to FM. Sound quality is annoying

I listen to Flames games with TuneIn (or the "official" 960 app would work too), even when I'm in the city. The sound quality really good, and I love hearing the sticks and skates.

I have a considerable amount of data on my plan, however, so I'm not concerned about it. And I don't listen to 960 for anything other than Flames games, and only when I'm not able to watch.

[Titan]

But why now? With so few people ready to receive DAB this does not make sense to me. Also, the argument that they can get more signals in the same space does not make sense. Is there a clamouring for stations to open but the FM band is full? My understanding is that the FM stations that are in existence now are just barely making it.

Someone has an interest in Norway and is getting paid because of the switch.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by GGG

The government is mandating the the spectrum used for current FM raisin be used for digital radio. This allows more people to broadcast over the same amount of spectrum. So the government is increasing the amount of communication that can be done on a given spectrum

In general the government regulates who is allowed to use what frequencies and for what purposes in a given spectrum so it is used efficiently and to prevent interfence.

So digital gets broadcasted on FM then?

Maybe I just don't understand the change.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Titan

But why now? With so few people ready to receive DAB this does not make sense to me. Also, the argument that they can get more signals in the same space does not make sense. Is there a clamouring for stations to open but the FM band is full? My understanding is that the FM stations that are in existence now are just barely making it.

Someone has an interest in Norway and is getting paid because of the switch.

As far as I could tell all new radio's in the UK are now DAB, not particularly expensive either

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by simmer2

So digital gets broadcasted on FM then?

Maybe I just don't understand the change.

Yes. FM is a range of radio frequencies, from about 87.5 to 108.0 MHz. Analog FM broadcasts take 0.2MHz each, but that is the centre, so, at 92.1 you get some bleed out to 92.0 and 92.2. Now, I don't know the details of digital FM, but I'd imagine they can broadcast on a much narrower band with minimal bleedout so you could stuff more channels in.It's a digital signal of 1' and 0's so you wouldn't get a signal wider than the band you broadcast on.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by simmer2

So digital gets broadcasted on FM then?

Maybe I just don't understand the change.

Yes but you need a digital receiver so any 5 year old car radio likely won't work.