Looks like the CBC have pulled the plug on their multiplex in Vancouver - either that, or they have snow problems up on Mount Seymour.

Anybody else heard anything lately? I was hearing the LE multiplex before Christmas on my little Perstel radio, but not now.

...laura
Snow was an issue with our DAB antenna which caused our DAB transmitter to shutdown. It has been turned back on as of Monday (Jan 12/09).

Snow was an issue with our DAB antenna which caused our DAB transmitter to shutdown. It has been turned back on as of Monday (Jan 12/09).

By any chance do you know anyone in Toronto who can get the hamster running a little faster on the wheel to up the power of CBC DAB? :)

It's been quite weak lately (even when I visited Toronto recently). Earlier in December of '08 it was just fine.

Cameron

CBC Vancouver is indeed back on the air on DAB, channel LE. Thank you!

...laura

Did anyone venture installing external L-band antennas to use with DAB home stereo systems? Or are most of you using handheld radios, as it would seem?

My underlying question really is what type of coax can be used at 1470 MHz and be fitted N connectors? And which amplifiers work at such frequencies? Would one have to resort to "premium" amplifiers from Tin Lee or even Research Communications? And wouldn't those come fitted for F connectors?

I guess doubts about DAB's future status would prevent someone from committing to purchase expensive systems, but it would seem to me that both reception and audio quality would be better on amplified home stereo systems.

STL

By any chance do you know anyone in Toronto who can get the hamster running a little faster on the wheel to up the power of CBC DAB? :)

It's been quite weak lately (even when I visited Toronto recently). Earlier in December of '08 it was just fine.

Cameron
I don't know the technical number in Toronto is but your best bet would be to talk to Audience Relations (1-866-306-4636) hopefully they can get you the right person to talk to.

Talk about on and off and on again DAB ensembles:

Sometime early December Channel 8 goes dark.
Then CBC really drops in signal strength.
Then just after January 3rd Channel 3 goes dark.
CBC Vancouver goes dark
Just within the last day or so CBC Vancouver returns.
Now Channel 3 returns. 680NEWS and CHFI continue their silence, (as has been the case for the last year), but at least they fixed 104.5CHUM-FM on DAB. At least CHUM doesn't sound like a large pair of Klipshhorns blasting from several apartments away with all doors closed. It's still not great, but it's at least understandable now.

Just maybe they'll put Channel 8 back on and bring CBC up to the power levels it was at prior to late December. I kind of miss Radio 2 in the morning... :)

Cameron

DAB (digital audio broadcast) is available in the Toronto area. I purchased a Textronix-sound 102 off ebay and was able to scan 11 Toronto area digital stations from Hamilton. If you want to use an HD radio then it is only Buffalo and not certain it will be:) picked up in Toronto.

Can DAB recieved by UHF/VHF antennas? L-band is UHF band, isn't it?

L-band is from 1452 to 1492 MHz, which is waaaay beyond the design specs of any TV antennas.

Oh, I thought it was UHF.

Hi Everyone

The current Toronto DAB situation continues to baffle and amaze.

Channel 3 (LC)

680NEWS - No Audio 128KB/s stream no steering for Mono / Stereo / DATA info

CHFI - No Audio 192KB/s stream no steering for Mono / Stereo / DATA info

1050CHUM - 192KB/s stream tagged Stereo. Audio content is of 104.5 CHUM FM but channels reversed!?!??!

104.5 CHUM-FM 192KB/s Stream tagged stereo. Content is correct: that of CHUM FM

EDGE 102 - 192KB/s stream tagged stereo Audio clear with minor clipping.


Channel 4 (LD)

CFRB - 128KB/s Stream tagged mono Sound OK
MIX 99.9 - 224KB/s stream tagged Stereo Sound OK (faint hum Left channel)
THE FAN - 128KB/s stream tagged Mono Sound OK
E.Z. ROCK - 224KB/s stream tagged Stereo Sound mostly on right channel
JAZZ FM - 224KB/s stream tagged Stereo Sound OK


Channel 6 (LF)

CBC Radio 1 - 096KB/s stream tagged Mono Sound OK (slightly Low)
CBC Radio 2 - 160KB/s stream tagged Stereo Sound OK (slightly low)
Premier chaine - 096KB/s stream tagged Mono Sound OK (slightly low)
Espace Musique - 160KB/s stream tagged Stereo Sound OK (slightly low)
CBLT - 000KB/s stream tagged DATA (bitrate out of range of receiver)
RDI - 000KB/s stream tagged DATA (bitrate out of range of receiver)


Channel 8 (LH)
Ensemble / Mux hasn't been heard since January 3, 2009

Channel 9

CJYE - 096KB/s stream tagged mono No Audio
CJMR - 096KB/s stream tagged mono No Audio
CIRV - 224KB/s stream tagged stereo Audio sounds good but out of phase
CIAO - 224KB/s stream tagged stereo Audio on left channel only
CFMX - 224KB/s stream tagged stereo Sound excellent but out of phase

The chum situation on Channel 3 defies logic.
The E.Z. Rock engineering on Channel 4 defies logic
The audio engineering on Channel 9 defies logic

On a very recent brief trip to Nova Scotia I can confirm that there is no longer any DAB broadcasting taking place in Halifax.

Radio: Perstel DR101LF sold by what was then Radio Shack.

Radio has an Easter egg. While listening to a DAB ensemble, tap Menu until highlight is on bottom line. Press and old the middle button for a few seconds. The third highlight line now shows BER 0.000 or a rapidly changing set of numbers (bit errors). Assuming perfect reception, 0.000 will be displayed. As signal degrades, numbers increase starting with the farthest right hand set of digits and progresses towards the left. Using this is far more accurate than the graphic on the display for signal strength.

Cameron

L-band is from 1452 to 1492 MHz, which is waaaay beyond the design specs of any TV antennas.
and that tells me why it wasn't available to recieve even in 8th floor condo.

and that tells me why it wasn't available to recieve even in 8th floor condo.

My observations of listening to L-Band DAB are that direct line of sight tends to yield less loss then FM (88-108 MHz). However, foliage, and other obstructions tend to hammer it's penetration. On the flipside, it bounces around better in an urban setting.

Secondly, the digital mode that DAB uses makes it very resistant to multipath reception and also lends itself beautifully to use of multiple transmitters, thus enabling the creation of a very uniform coverage pattern, and if implemented correctly, make it receivable virtually everywhere. Britain is experimenting with in-mall low power repeaters providing a seamless transition from outdoors to indoors.

A wonderful technology just waiting for someone with some fortitude to go forward with.

Cameron

My observations of listening to L-Band DAB are that direct line of sight tends to yield less loss then FM (88-108 MHz). However, foliage, and other obstructions tend to hammer it's penetration. On the flipside, it bounces around better in an urban setting.

Secondly, the digital mode that DAB uses makes it very resistant to multipath reception and also lends itself beautifully to use of multiple transmitters, thus enabling the creation of a very uniform coverage pattern, and if implemented correctly, make it receivable virtually everywhere. Britain is experimenting with in-mall low power repeaters providing a seamless transition from outdoors to indoors.

A wonderful technology just waiting for someone with some fortitude to go forward with.

Cameron
There was some DMB repeaters inside subway in South Korea(however it isn't L-Band)- and in fact, it wasn't easy to recieve it even near CN Tower(downtown). I lived in a condo in Mississauga facing East, and maybe it is my B20's fault, but it is so weird that I couldn't recieve ANY OF IT. However, I think I'd recieve better if I'd go up in 38th floor that has clear sight of CN Tower, but I moved here in Edmonton :)

Isn't DAB a dead format now? It was a Europeen standard which never really took off over there either. I know France is planning a major Digital radio launch this fall/winter with a slew of new receivers and many new stations for each city. The new standard is based on DAB (part of the Eureka 147 group), but will be called T-DMB.

If DAB is dead, what's going to take its place in Canada? HD Radio? Audio only subchannels over ATSC using 8VSB?

If DAB is dead, what's going to take its place in Canada? HD Radio? Audio only subchannels over ATSC using 8VSB?

The ATSC concept is interesting but I suspect there will be insufficient numbers of transmitters across the country to make it viable.

HD (Hybrid Digital) broadcasting in it's current form does seem to have some technical issues. Namely, digital coverage is limited, and interference to adjacent channels.

Russia has just announced that for medium wave (AM) and shortwave broadcasting, DRM (Digital Radio Mondale) will be the system used. A smart move in my opinion.

Personally, my preference is for DAB. When properly done, it sounds great, and adds features and coverage options current broadcasting modes just don't offer.

Cameron

Will Canada maybe just stay DAB?

I don't think ATSC is built for that mobile uses.

I don't think ATSC is built for that mobile uses.
Although the current ATSC standard doesn't work well in mobile applications, there has been work on an extension for this (see the thread Mobile OTA DTV for North America (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=63639) for details). It shouldn't be too dificult to have an audio only variation. It would be interesting to see TV channel 6 (and possibly 5) used for this, since it is adjacent to the FM band and existing FM antennas should be able to receive it.