Two things that are not immediately obvious about digital radio.

  1. Not all DAB stations are national. You may be able to listen to Capital Radio in Brisbane over the Internet but you can’t listen to Capital Radio on a digital radio in Inverness. This is because ’local’ radio stations are still subject to UK broadcasting regulations which means they must remain local, even with DAB. Consequently, the range of radio stations available on DAB isn’t (quite) as wide ranging as you might expect.
  2. The sound quality of FM radio is better than DAB. Tune the same radio station in on FM and DAB, turn up the volume and toggle between the two. The difference is quite marked. I used to think my ears? wouldn’t be able to distinguish between an expensive Bang & Oulfsen system costing 2,000 GBP and an Alba record player. I was wrong.