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Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 23 Apr 2015, 10:14
by MrWeetabix
Norway announces FM switch-off

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/20 ... y_in_2017/

How long before others follow soon?

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 23 Apr 2015, 10:21
by Transmission1
Well, let's hope that they don't go down the same route with DAB that has happened in the UK. Most DAB channels here have now been cut down to 80kbps MONO! this has been done to fit even more stations into the existing multiplexes. At least in Norway I believe they are going to use the more modern and efficient DAB+ mode of broadcasting. The UK desperately needs to migrate to DAB+ as soon as possible so we can use AAC+ and have stations in Stereo again. The UK's second national DAB service Digital 2 is due to start towards the end of the year/next year so it would hopefully be an opportunity to start some DAB+ services here for those who have radios that are capable ;)

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 23 Apr 2015, 11:42
by KDDL
Sad, but true :(

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 24 Apr 2015, 07:19
by rogerbeep
For the large commercial broadcasters along with the state/public broadcaster, cost savings is probably a good reason for implementing DAB.
Some years ago the government said that the FM net should not be closed before the public broadcaster could reach 99% of the public, at home.
The demand for commercial channels is 90% coverage.
Both demands were fulfilled and confirmed this winter.

Both the large commercial and public broadcasters have cooperated in a nationwide campaign the last 5-6 years where they have been running the same advertisements saying "Yes to radio" on the air and asking you as a listener to agree.
A lot of famous persons proclaimed "Yes to radio" and asked for your support too.
The word DAB was never mentioned at all, and some people thought that they supported radio in general as a medium and signed up.

If the large broadcasters were honest and rather said "Yes to DAB" (which was the ACTUAL message), I don't think the general public would give the same degree of support.

In the long term Norway will become a nation without the small independent local radio stations. In general they are allowed to continue their transmissions in the FM net as today. But over the years because the number of listeners will decrease dramatically since people probably will only buy fully digital radios in the future.

The headline in the article linked in the first posting is correct.
(Digital killed the radio star.)

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 27 Apr 2015, 07:18
by MrWeetabix
Seems like not everyone agrees with the switch of....

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/27 ... adcasters/

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 27 Apr 2015, 17:54
by Mattylad
If it's owt like over here then many will not be able to receive the radio any more.

DAB in my area is pathetic, I have to sit on the top of a hill to get it.

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 28 Apr 2015, 05:53
by Excalibur
I wonder what they will allocate the now free spectrum to, perhaps digital devices or could be a new 2 way radio band

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 28 Apr 2015, 08:47
by MrWeetabix
2-way radio is unlikely.....

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 29 Apr 2015, 07:40
by Excalibur
MrWeetabix wrote:2-way radio is unlikely.....
Where did you read that?

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 29 Apr 2015, 07:48
by Excalibur
It is quite a lot of spectrum 87-108 MHz remember. They might split it up and allocate it to many different services

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 29 Apr 2015, 14:13
by SierraTangoUniform
They should switch off LW and MW first.......

Until car manufacturers start putting DAB in cars as default, you've got at least 5 years before they can switch off. The majority of people in this country listen to the radio in the car.

Was only at 55% less than a year ago
http://www.motoringresearch.com/car-new ... 0604944169

I don't get it. Spend £18k on a car and get an FM radio :?

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 21 May 2015, 12:21
by FakeJake
I would agree that it makes sense for LW and MW to go before FM. I don't know anyone that listens to those bands any more.

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 21 May 2015, 12:47
by Tigersaw
FakeJake wrote:I would agree that it makes sense for LW and MW to go before FM. I don't know anyone that listens to those bands any more.
me for one, especially in the car.

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 21 May 2015, 12:53
by Clipper
MW after dark; chaotic but fascinating - a bit like SW used to be. Plus, using a ferrite rod make for great direction finding/nulling out. Fun! (it is for me anyway!).

Re: Norway becomes no-way for FM radio.....

Posted: 21 May 2015, 13:29
by FakeJake
Yes ok, so enthusiasts that I'd put good money on being less than 0.5% of the population. Yet the majority of people do listen to FM...

I'm not advocating that anything goes away, but if FM is set to go, why not LW and MW first?