Long Wave Radio

[Moggypaws]

Please does anyone know why long wave is no longer available from about 10am to 5pm every day. I live in Milton Keynes.

[Buenchico]

See here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/faqs/help-receiving/droitwich_planned_work

Remember though that the BBC is running out of valves for their long wave transmitter and they'll shut it down permanently anyway as soon as the supply ends:
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/09/bbc-radio4-long-wave-goodbye

[Moggypaws]

Thanks for telling me - I didn't know that. I get an appalling reception on FM and can't get digital unless I go upstairs. The only way I can listen now is on TV and that's no good if you want to move around the house with the radio!

[vascop]

Get an FM radio.

[heathfield]

No point, Vascop. Read what Moggypaws has said about the FM reception.

[Buenchico]

It's not an FM radio which Moggypaws needs; it's a DAB one.

While the original deadline for switching off the FM transmitters (2015, as identified in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Digital Radio Action Plan) clearly isn't going to be met, there remains a firm commitment to a digital changeover. The switch to digital-only TV services was originally intended to be completed by 2002 but ended up running roughly ten years late. The delay in the radio changeover plan might be as great but it currently seems more likely that the FM transmitters will be turned off around 2020.

So buying an FM radio now clearly lacks forethought, particularly when someone lives in an area (such as Milton Keynes) which has excellent DAB coverage.

[Moggypaws]

Thanks, everyone but although I am in MK the area where I live is in a dip and I can't get DAB either unless I go upstairs! Will just have to put up with it.

[Buenchico]

Just some further thoughts then:

An internet radio (which gets its signal from your router, rather than across the airwaves) might be a bit of an extravagance if you only want to listen to Radio 4 but, if you're interested in hearing lots of other stations as well, it's a possibility that could be considered.

I listen to a great deal of radio via my computer (especially the 24-hour British Comedy Channel: http://rokradio.com/ ) but I'm not pinned down next to it. That's because, last Christmas, I treated myself to a pair of Sony wireless headphones. I simply plug the base unit's jack plug into my computer's headphone socket and wander around the house listening to great comedy. (The headphones are incredibly comfortable and the built-in rechargeable battery lasts for up to 14 hours). So if you've got ANY radio or computer that can receive what you want to hear (irrespective of its location in your house) you can listen all around the house.

[Moggypaws]

Thanks, Buenchico for the very helpful advice. All is not lost!