August 1, 2011 - Nationwide launch of digital radio DAB+

Having largely been considered a failure, aside from the excellent offerings in Bavaria, DAB (with the MP2 transmission standard) is now getting a new start. Starting Monday, August 1, 2011, a largely identical offering in DAB+ (using AAC+ transmission) with significantly more transmission power is intended to finally bring digital radio to widespread success.

However, those who already own a car radio that is compatible with DAB will be disappointed. Most can only play MP2 files, and will become obsolete in the future. With the transition to the new standard, existing MP2 offerings will gradually disappear and will be at least partially converted to DAB+.

Regardless of the timing, regionalized channels will be added to the Bundesmux by the end of the year, initially focusing on the public broadcasting programs of the respective federal states. The capacity has been advertised, and program providers were able to apply. In the Berlin area, the regionalized offerings will be available for the radio exhibition in September.

In addition to numerous portable devices, there are also retrofit solutions for cars. One of the most popular receivers is the Pure Highway, which can play DAB+, has excellent reception with an external antenna, and can transmit its signal to any car radio via an integrated FM transmitter. It draws power from the cigarette lighter. When purchasing radios that are compatible with digital broadcasting, make sure they are suitable for DAB+. Otherwise, these devices cannot be used. Be careful when importing devices from the UK, as these may only support MP2.

Finally, something is happening. I've had a Blaupunkt Nashville with DAB and the corresponding antenna installed in my Leon since about 2008. Until now, in Germany, there have only been regionally different broadcasting offerings, varying from state to state. However, this had nothing to do with variety. In Switzerland, there were good digital radio stations. The reception was always crystal clear (except in tunnels), and there was even a recording option to the SD card. I doubt whether I can listen to the new DAB+ with this radio.

No, you won't. If there have been DAB offerings available in your home country so far, they will cease to exist in your radio this year.

The regional multiplexes are scheduled to launch as follows:

Bayern: laeuft bereits (letzte Aenderungen auf 11D am 27. July)
Mitte: 1. August.
Southwest: August.
Berlin: September (related to IFA).
North: November.
Hesse: December.

The Berlin regional multiplex is now operational. Here are all the programs being broadcast from Berlin:

- 90elf (Football broadcasts with multiple channels)
- Absolutely Radio
- Antenna (Brandenburg, Potsdam regional version)
- Bayern 2
- RadioBERLIN 88 8
- Radio BOB! (Test loop)
- Bavaria plus
- BR Test Channel (with classical music)
- DKultur
- Deutschlandfunk
- DRadio DokDeb (same as DLF)
- DWissen
- ENERGY (nationwide program)
- ERF Radio (religious program)
- FH Europa (Funkhaus Europa)
- Fritz (rbb youth program)
- Radio Horeb (religious program)
- Inforadio (rbb news program)
- KISS FM
- KLASSIK RADIO
- kulturradio (rbb cultural program)
- LoungeFM
- Radio 1 (rbb program)
- radio B2 (private local radio station)
- WDR 2

Welcome to the era of DAB+! Berlin is now broadcasting with full coverage on channels 5C, 7D, and 12D...

No words needed...

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/neues-digitalradio-dab-abgeschaltet-1.1138541

Szenario Dortmund: Der dort koordinierte (und behoerdlich zugeteilte) Kanal 5A stoert die benachbarten BOS-Kanaele im 2 m-Band. Wegen einer fuer das Wochenende angekuendigten Demonstration beantragte die POL die Abschaltung, die von der BNetzA dann verfuegt wurde. Die Problematik ist der sehr geringe Abstand zwischen Kanal 5A (an der Bandgrenze des VHF-Band III) und den in Dortmund genutzten Kanaelen im 2 m-Band. Dazu kommt die offenbar nicht sehr gute Grosssignalfestigkeit der z. T. ancient analog radio equipment.

Possible consequences: The DAB+ signal at the Dortmund transmitter site may remain unavailable, or an attempt may be made to switch to channel 9A, which is also coordinated. I was on vacation in the region, and the impact of the missing Dortmund transmitter may not be so significant in the immediate vicinity. The nearby Langenberg (near Velbert) can provide good coverage. However, less signal will reach OWL, and the area will no longer have adequate reception. versorgt.

In addition, the KEF (presumably a regulatory body) has restricted the funding for a proper broadcasting network, which is "not ideal." Furthermore, there is a lack of expansion along highways and, in many rural areas. For example, Brandenburg is not served by the network, except for the island solution in Berlin, and this is likely to remain the case. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern only serves Schwerin, while Saxony-Anhalt recently shut down a nearly comprehensive network and is now only focused on the Magdeburg-Halle metropolitan area. The system must be successful; otherwise, it will likely be discontinued in a few years. Technically, the current system is reasonably up-to-date, the program selection is initially quite good, and the sound quality is acceptable, although it could still be improved.

Following negotiations with neighboring countries, efforts are now underway in North Rhine-Westphalia to mitigate interference problems by shifting the broadcast within Channel 5, using a larger offset. This should help to alleviate the situation, particularly in the problem area of Dortmund.

Starting Tuesday, November 1st, 2011, another program will be added to Bundesmuxx. The radio station "Sunshine live," well-known to fans of electronic music, will be launched on channel 5, following internal disputes that had previously prevented its launch. Due to the high recognition of this program, which also broadcasts on FM in Rhineland-Palatinate and Templin, Uckermark, the diversity of DAB digital radio will be further increased.

Der aktuelle Flickenteppich mit leider ueberhaupt nicht flaechendeckender Versorgung soll in den kommenden Jahren zunaechst entlang der Hauptverkehrsadern fuer mobilen Empfang ausgebaut werden. Inzwischen ist im Fachhandel auch eine annehmbare Geraeteauswahl vorhanden. Zwar gibt es unter den Elektronikmaerkten weiterhin auch Totalverweigerer, Onlineshops setzen aber 'ne Menge Geraete um. Neben tragbaren Taschen- und Kofferradios gibt es verschiedene auch fuer zuhause brauchbare Geraete. Die Auswahl an Autoradios mit DAB+ beschraenkt sich leider noch auf einige wenige Modelle. Jedoch gibt es z. B. mit dem Pure Highway auch praktisch eine Box, die jedes konventionelle Autoradio tauglich fuer DAB+ macht. It features an FM modulator.It can be connected wirelessly to the car radio, but it can also be plugged into a Line In connection.

When purchasing, please be sure to check that the device is compatible with DAB+. There are still many devices that can only play the older version of DAB (without the "+"). Platforms like e*** are full of them, and not everyone is familiar with the difference.

Since approximately 6:00 AM on November 1st, Sunshine has also been available via the Bundesmuxx reception.