Digital Radio has finally launched in Australia’s major Capital Cities.  After many years of planning and technical trials, the dabplus or DAB+ system was chosen for it’s ability to jam a whole lot more stations into the infrastructure available – albeit at a reduced audio quality.  Hopefully you won’t be able to notice this audio degradation however, and the federal government may prove a savior for the service in a few years when more RF spectrum is freed up (by the analogue TV switchoff which will free up the TV channels for Digital Radio and Mobile Broadband use), which will allow for the audio quality to be improved.  In the meantime – enjoy the site and our many news articles and related video’s we have collected about Digital Radio in Australia.


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  1. #63  Michael

    Please get more songs… I have heard you play the same mix of songs for weeks on end….

    12/05/16 14:58

  2. #62  Graham Scott

    IS digital radio available @ PEACHESTER QLD 4519

    12/05/10 12:40

  3. #61  graham whittaker

    I was told that this site gave me the areas in Perth tha were covered by digital radio. Could you please inform me of that.

    12/05/03 10:34

  4. #60  Tracey

    So cranky, we purchased a digital radio from JBHiFi on the Gold coast only to find out that their is no signal on the Coast, sales rep forgot to tell us that !! Tried to return the radio and they knew straight away what I was going to say and now won’t give us a refund as box was destroyed, they must have the original packaging so that it can be resold !!!!! Digital radio is such a have and businesses are making money out of not informing everyday hardworking people that digital radio is in selected areas only. NOT HAPPY

    12/04/07 11:03

  5. #59  rick

    I bought digital for 1 reason. THE ROCK STATION. they crap on about. I have 80′s and 90′s but that ain’t rock. I was expecting the gunners, poison, the crue, metallica, cinderrela, bon jovi, ACDC, kiss in other words the hair bands of the 80′s and early 90′s so where is the fkn rock station. please.

    12/04/06 12:46

  6. #58  Steve

    Most unhappy. have managed to get stations set on station search, only to find every time I switch on I get ” NO SIGNAL “. I have tried several locations in the home with out success and I live only 20 klm. out of Brisbane C.B.D. I have tried to get info on antenna’s but without success. Digital radio waist of money!

    12/02/18 10:24

  7. #57  Broken promise

    Where is the coverage map I was promised ???

    The Phillips AE5430 at my office sounds like cheap AM BTW…

    12/02/18 04:56

  8. #56  Helene Murphy

    If I purchase a digital radio, can I receive the digital broadcasts from the Sydney stations – e.g. can I receive 2GB or WSFM. Thanks.

    Web site doesn’t really encourage consumers – very ordinary. Where is the coverage map & the details of the suppliers of the ‘purchase on-line’ items.

    12/02/15 12:06

  9. #55  Not impressed

    In Canberra, digital radio is on trial and they are only broadcasting at a level of 64kps. This is not even CD sound quality. Anyone know what Sydney digital gets? You would think that digital radio, being pushed as the bells as whistles, would be at least 128kps or higher. True stereo clear sound? My white ass it is. We are being conned. The Australian Government are not implementing this fairly.

    12/01/25 07:50

  10. #54  Melissa

    Is there any reason I cannot get the new MIX 80′s station on my digital radio? I’ve tried the auto tune and still nothing??

    12/01/24 13:31

  11. #53  Gail

    Perhaps Digitial Radio should display a list of the areas that have these signals to allow customers necessary knowledge before they purchase.

    12/01/18 06:10

  12. #52  Greg Hilder

    Why have stores outside capital cities been allowed to sell digital radios without letting buyers know that they wont get reception??

    12/01/18 05:40

  13. #51  cam178

    I’m on the gold coast and bought a DAB+ digital radio, no sations are available and we are supposed to be Australias 5th largest city. Dont buy it’s a big con

    12/01/17 09:52

  14. #50  Ian Darby

    Hi

    I have recently purchased a DAB+ quality tuner and have found the sound on even ‘high quality’ stations to be tinny and lack dynmanic range . It appears that the maximum bandwidth for a channel is 48 – 80kbit/s when even the most average Internet radio station is at least 128kbit/s, and mp3 at 320Kb. Granted AAC is supposed to be better than MP3, but AAC 70kbit/s still sounds tinny and metallic. Why is the sound quality so poor on DAB+ radio and are the bandwidth restrictions here to stay? Even FM sounds miles better than the best DAB+ station.
    I have connected back my old FM stero tuner into my system.

    11/12/14 23:26

  15. #49  Mo

    To Jim Phillip

    I live in that suburb and have had digital radio since the end of 2009 (with an outdoor antenna)it works fine.
    Keep in mind Sea FM,2GO & Star 104.5 are not broadcasting on it and reception quality will depend strongly on where you are located if you are at the foot of a mountain you probably have no chance this seems to be a big problem on the northern beaches.I would suggest borrowing one if you can to try first.

    11/10/17 09:53

  16. #48  Steve

    Is there any chance of changing the bit rate for broadcasts running at 32 and 48 Kbps to 64 Kbps. From my listening experience on my Bush digital radio, broadcasts below 64Kbps, seem to have a noticeable warble in the music of a song that is worse at 32 Kbps than 48Kbps. When a broadcast of 64Kbps or higher is selected, the warble is gone. The drums and singers voice don’t seem to be affected as much as the mid tones. Listening to my Bush digital radio through is built in speaker, its not so noticeable, but when I connect it to my large sound system the warble is so noticeable the music is not enjoyable.

    11/10/11 21:54

  17. #47  A Myers

    Your radio advertisement comments on lack of static but makes no mention of DROPOUTS. I find this more frustrating than static, at least you could move to a better reception, which is not the case with digital dropout.

    11/09/24 14:26

  18. #46  Elizabeth Michie

    It is misleading to promote digital radio without making clear that it has a very limited reception area. I live in Campbelltown, arguably a part of Sydney, and I purchased a digital radio, only to find that digital radio does not extend to this area. We are hardly in the backblocks! In future, the limited extent of digital radio reception should be made clear. Would anyone like to buy my useless digital radio?

    11/09/10 21:47

  19. #45  Greg

    I dont seem to be able to get the horse racing station 1206….and im in the middle of perth!!!!!!!

    11/08/28 15:37

  20. #44  Patrick

    Just bought 2 digital clock radios. First lot was a Pure brand & it was so difficult to program & pick up the DAB+ stations. I returned these to Myer and purchased 2 Bush brand clock radios. Much easier to program & set up than the Pure ones. When the alarm goes off & meant to go to Fox Digital it looses the signal & the buzzer turns on instead and has an Error message finding Fox even thou it found it when it was set up. I’ve extended the aerial but still no signal. Looks like DAB+ is a dud, I live in Diamond Creek Victoria and the signal should be better than this. Its back to FM for me which is so much better than digital

    11/08/24 22:13

  21. #43  Not Happy

    We recently brought a digital radio for my fathers 70th birthday from Dick Smiths and were told if you had diital tv you could get digital radio. Well we cant get it!! They live at Goolwa and i double checked twice. Would be nice for change if someone who is supposed to be in the know would know what they are talking about. I am sure digital radio is good but dont think it should be promoted so much if only the selected few can get it!

    11/07/13 12:23

  22. #42  Peter

    I live in Adelaide and have just purchased a digital radio but I cannot find a station which broadcasts the horse races Does anyone know if there is such a channel or if there ever will be

    11/06/05 19:05

  23. #41  Ron :ivingston

    When does Digital radio reach the provinces( Cairns)

    11/05/30 17:59

  24. #40  Hank Wyllie

    When will digital radio be available in Geelong? It’s a MAJOR regional city.

    11/05/23 21:23

  25. #39  Dkingo

    Can anyone tell me why my DAB radio fades in and out????

    11/04/17 10:21

  26. #38  Trisjh Fox

    Took my pocket digital radio to footy to listen and watch but was disappointed with a delay on the radio. Will this always be the case.

    11/04/13 00:48

  27. #37  rajesh

    i bought dab+ radio but didn’t find any difference on sound quality from normal FM channel.
    why.
    also what else we can get benefit from having dab+

    11/03/01 21:03

  28. #36  Ian McLeod

    I have recently purchased a digital radio and have found the sound on even ‘high quality’ stations to be quite tinny and metallic. It turns out that the maximum bandwidth for a channel is around 70 – 80kbit/s when even the most average Internet radio station is at least 128kbit/s, with premium or ‘high quality’ not recognised below 192kbit/s. Granted AAC is supposed to be better than MP3, but AAC 70kbit/s still sounds tinny and metallic. Why is the sound quality so poor on digital radio and are the bandwidth restrictions here to stay? Even FM sounds miles better than the best DAB+ station.

    11/02/28 11:33

  29. #35  Dave Lucas

    When is DAB+ going to be available at postcode 4861?

    11/02/27 16:22

  30. #34  Nicola Varne

    Can you please tell me when Hobart will be getting digital radio? There is a lot of sporting events being broadcast on digital radio which we are missing out on because we do not have it. I would appreciate a reply as if digital radio comes to Hobart we will be getting one pronto!

    11/02/22 18:21

  31. #33  Brian W King

    I have recently bought a digital radio, but I find that I get a lot of interference.. the stations fade out or I get ‘phone dialing.. Is there anything that I can do to improve the situation, otherwise I would be much better with my old sets. Thanks

    11/02/16 10:16

  32. #32  Eric Brown

    Should I be able to get digital at Wentworth Falls 2782?

    11/01/19 20:35

  33. #31  Arthur

    If I can receive a few digital radio stations through my HD TV why can’t I get all of them?

    11/01/18 13:04

  34. #30  TREVOR MORRISON

    I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IFPOSTCODE 2570 HAS COVERAGE AND I CANNOT FIND OUT HOW

    PLEASE ADVISE HOW I ACHIEVE THE INFORMATION FROM THIS SITE

    11/01/16 07:58

  35. #29  David John Stock

    I bought a retro style “PURE” Evoke Mio 2009 version
    colour red, it was the last one of its kind in Myers
    George ST Sydney, in fact it was on the shelf out of its box. I am happy with the result even at $339 for a portable digital radio. I am in a hole at Allawah but still get better reception than I would get with my TV if I did not have Foxtell.

    10/12/29 13:50

  36. #28  Paul Harper

    Bought a “Pure” brand Sirocco 150 radio and DVD player. 1st one would stop playing DVds constantly and reset. 2nd one to replace 1st, will sometimes not play radio umless DVd is played 1st. Reception on most stations cuts in and out even though I am on top floor of block that is on top of a hill. Yesterday, the sound physically adjusted itself from a background 12 up to 25, freaky. How many of these do I have to test before I get one that actually works correctly.

    10/12/25 07:07

  37. #27  Scott

    To Janice:
    The reason you are receiving am radio on your current radios fine is because it is a very low frequency being bounced around, lower frequencies can ‘bend’ and not be obstructed by objects (both environmental or man made)as much as digital radio of which has a higher frequency.

    The reason why you can’t receive DAB (assuming you are in a DAB coverage zone – speaking of, where do you/the radio live?) is because your antenna isn’t up, that is the reason why your radio has an antenna so it needs to be used, it isn’t a fashion statement. It’s just like a car, when you turn on your car or radio the antenna pops up so you can receive the radio whilst driving at high speeds and past many objects. Allowing the antenna to be erect allows the signal to reach the radio a lot easier than it being down.

    Now the reason why DAB radio has a higher frequency is due to the amount of data to be transferred to the radio compared to FM and especially AM radio. The higher the bit rate of the station the higher quality the sound will be which is great for listening to music, talk back radio, or sports events etc.

    I personally have an Oxx Digital Radio – The Oxx Classic – and it works GREAT! I live in the Sutherland Shire and receive very good signal and provides me with the best sound quality for my favourite DAB stations (not to mention the other features; Internet radio, uPnP music player, aux input, and also FM radio)

    Janice, I hope this helps a little bit and changes your mind about Digital Radio.

    TO ALL WHO WANT TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN GET DAB+ IN YOUR AREA:
    Go to the following site and type in your postcode up the top left of the page where it says ‘Can I get digital?’

    Hope this also helps to everyone else wondering about digital radio in Australia!

    Have a great Christmas and New Year!

    Scott :)

    10/12/23 13:01

  38. #26  Janice Johnson

    UNIMPRESSED by DIGITAL RADIO so far. I have tried 2 different brands and all I could receive was poor reception on the FM stations. I’m not into FM at all. The Digital AM bands appear to be unavailable in my area even with the antenna fully extended as I receive a message that the radio is unable to find any stations.

    What is required is a list of areas THAT CANNOT TUNE INTO DIGITAL. I live in Elderslie, Camden, NSW. Obviously one area that is out of range.

    I won’t be buying a digital radio until I can get reception and with out extending the antenna. My antenna is never extended on my current radios and I get brilliant AM reception.

    DIGITAL STILL HAS A LONG LONG WAY TO GO AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

    10/12/15 15:57

  39. #25  judy ellis

    Is digital radio available at Copeland, NSW 2422?

    10/12/13 19:24

  40. #24  Cherry Wilson

    Can I get digital radio at postcode 4802. I am looking at buying a digital radio.

    10/12/07 13:32

  41. #23  Graeme

    I have the so-called “cheapest” ROBERTS RADIO. The reception in a difficult area like Richmond in Melbourne is exceptional; on both AM and FM alike. Irrespective of all theelectronic obstacles here, it still comes through loud and clear, with superb sound quality and ‘clear as a bell’. DIGITAL RADIO IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO, as when away from home and having to listen to a reasonable carradio, the difference is marked.
    Any radiophile right down to the occasional listener, if they want to get both AM and FM reception at a high standard; MUST have their own DIGITAL unit. The difference is incredible.

    10/11/20 12:06

  42. #22  dennis cooper

    When will digital radio be available on the central coast of N.S.W. 2263

    10/11/06 14:57

  43. #21  Mary Polkinghorne

    My new digital radio cannot be tuned into AM stations except of ABC.I took it back to where it was purchased from and the assistant tuned it in, but when I returned home only the FM stations worked. What seems to be the problem.

    10/10/28 10:34

  44. #20  Jim Phillips

    Is digital radio available at Umina on the NSW central coast. Postcode 2257

    10/09/23 10:08

  45. #19  Mary Nelson

    I have a new Digital Radio and do not know how to get 2ky racing,. Can you help? I live in Pearce in Canberra postcode 2607.
    Thanks Mary

    10/08/10 11:48

  46. #18  jane robertson

    my new digital radio fades in and out – very annoying $100 worth oif radio and very clear then nothing mid sentence – why is this so ? what can I do besides return radio ?

    10/07/15 08:44

  47. #17  Jim Greenwood

    I live in Sth. Aust., with digital radio can I listen to interstate station eg:927?

    10/06/30 07:09

  48. #16  Ray Nicholls

    I brought a new digital radio to listen to the races but was disappointed to find that it is seven seconds behind the live racing on TV and nine seconds(?) behind my analogue radio.

    Why is this so and when there is no analogue signal, will the digital broadcast be adjusted?

    Ray Nicholls
    0416 191 526

    10/06/03 19:49

  49. #15  lucy loats

    can i get reception at broadford postcode 3658 ?

    10/05/25 15:48

  50. #14  Jenny Coady

    Can I get reception postcode 2250. Thanks

    10/04/25 09:49

  51. #13  Gunzal

    post code 3156

    10/03/20 18:49

  52. #12  Gunzal

    Ferntree gully no abc or sbs coverage even with an external antenna. The 2 commercial broadcaster rx at 100% . Is the abc going to upgrade there tx’ing.

    10/03/20 18:46

  53. #11  Denise Patterson

    I bought a digital radio so as to receive better reception and I am very disapointed. I can’t get any A.M. reception. Post code 2230. Why can I receive A.M. on my old radio and not on the new one?
    Kate

    10/02/10 18:35

  54. #10  Al

    I live at postcode 4156 in Brisbane, and recently bought a small Sangean DAB+ portable for $160, and I’m about to return it. The reception is appalling. There are places in the house where it will work, and places where it won’t, sometimes only a few centimetres apart. It works best if I put it up high, like on the top of a door! Just moving my hand in front of it can disrupt the reception. I’m very disappointed.

    I’m going back to analogue. Then I’ll also be able to take my portable away with me, because there is no digital reception whatsoever outside Brisbane.

    10/01/28 08:00

  55. #9  John

    I purchased a digital radio. The reception fades in & out. I am in postcode 3101
    Is it the radio or a problem with digital transmission?

    10/01/03 13:11

  56. #8  paul reilly

    i can;t seem to get racing radio on my digital radio it is 1206 on the am dial . i live in woodvale w.a.

    09/12/19 11:45

  57. #7  Julie Haack

    WAS TOLD THAT DIGITAL RADIO WAS OKAY FOR OUR AREA – 5351 – BUT HAVE NO RECEPTION AT ALL – NOT HAPPY

    09/12/11 15:52

  58. #6  Matt

    For what its worth my unit, being part of a large block, had terrible AM reception. With no pay tv this made listening to footy and cricket noisy and intermittent. A digital radio solved the problem. I realise I could also stream the AM radio websites but that is a product of digital technology too. Coverage is much improved on digital. There you go.

    09/12/10 22:49

  59. #5  Cheryl

    Is digital radio available at postcode 3338

    09/12/02 12:29

  60. #4  Nina

    Is digital radio available at postcode 6566

    09/11/09 15:27

  61. #3  Alex

    How can i get digital radio on my car radio???

    09/10/18 17:36

  62. #2  ted kennedy

    is digital radio available at postcode2257

    09/08/06 07:58

  63. #1  Barrie

    When will we get the portable DAB+ radios in Australia? I have seen them on UK sites and they seem far more practical than the larger ones. I am talking pocket sized – not Getto Blaster size.

    09/06/29 13:48

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