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East Surrey

DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING (DAB)   Redstone FM will be launching as a DAB radio station in 2012. This page explains what DAB is and how to listen to Redstone FM when we start broadcasting. On This Page . . . What is DAB Surrey DAB Multiplex Why Redstone FM is broadcasting on DAB Current DAB Audiences More about DAB What is DAB DAB is an abbreviation for ‘Digital Audio Broadcasting’. It is a form of audio transmission that is in a digital, rather than analogue (such as FM/AM) format. A DAB radio can be purchased in all good electronic retailers for as little as £15 It is interference free and features a wide and varied choice of stations broadcasting both nationally and locally. DAB is a new technology which broadcasts audio and data services that can be received in over 85% of the United Kingdom. With the right kind of tuner, listeners can receive a choice of stations without hiss or fade unlike conventional FM and AM receivers. Find out more about DAB at the Digital Radio UK web site.   Surrey DAB Multiplex The media regulator, Ofcom, have awarded the Surrey DAB licence to MuxCo Surrey and Sussex Ltd. The service is due to launch during 2012. Radio services that are likely to be broadcast on this service include BBC Surrey, Eagle Radio and County Sound. Click here to go to the MuxCo web site and click here for more about DAB Why Redstone FM is broadcasting on DAB Redstone FM has been looking at a number of possibilities to broadcast a permanent radio service in East Surrey. There are very few opportunities to broadcast on FM. Instead, you will be able to hear us on DAB Digital Radio across Surrey and on line via this web site. By broadcasting on DAB, Redstone FM can be heard throughout Surrey plus Crawley and parts of SW London. However, whilst the transmission area is county-wide, Redstone FM's core editorial area will be East Surrey plus Crawley, namely the Boroughs of Reigate & Banstead and Epsom & Ewell plus the Mole Valley and Tandridge Districts.  As a broadcast platform, DAB is still in development. Redstone FM recognises that there is much work to do to develop the potential audience for DAB and will be engaged with its partner stations in Surrey to promote digital broadcasting and the take up of digital radio sets. Redstone FM, as a forward looking radio station, is committed to being a major DAB player in Surrey. DAB Audiences The latest audience figures from RAJAR (the official radio audience research company used by both the BBC and the commercial radio industry) shows: Adults who own a DAB set at home:   38.9%  (Five years ago that figure was 15.3%) 26.3% of all radio listening is via DAB (up from 23.5% year on year). More information here. (Source RAJAR Qtr2 2011)    More about DAB DIGITAL QUALITY SOUND Listen to your favourite stations hiss and crackle free in digital quality. NO NUMBERS, JUST NAMES Forget station frequencies. DAB lists all available stations which you can then select by name. INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Like the track but can’t remember the title? DAB has the answer. Scrolling text is available with many DAB stations, making it really easy to name that tune. PAUSE AND REWIND YOUR STATION Digital radio is designed to fit in with your life.  With some radios, pause and rewind features put you in control of the airwaves.  Stop, start and listen again as you would with your top tunes. RECORD PROGRAMMES Great moments should be relived, not just remembered.  Advanced DAB radios will record your favourite programmes to let you do just that.  Back to top of page. (c) Redstone FM 2011