subject: Radio Rubbish [print this page] Radio Rubbish Radio Rubbish
The traditional analogue radio is on its way out, with FM and medium wave radios due to be obsolete by the year 2015. At the time of the switch off, traditional radios will stop working, which could be an issue for all of us with these radios in our cars.
Replacing the radio for the new style will cost the average road user around two hundred and fifty pounds, money that in the current economic climate we cannot afford to spare. The bill across the country is polled to be over one billion pounds.
The changeover also threatens to cause havoc with some of the satellite navigation systems, as these need an analogue signal to provide accurate traffic information.
Car makers have agreed to offer DAB radios as standard in new car models from 2013, but for those who cannot afford to buy a new car, the replacement radio is expensive. A digital adapter can cost around forty pounds, which can be plugged into the car radio and will be a much cheaper alternative.
Technology firms are thought to be working on how the sat nav systems will be adapted to encompass this new change, but it is proving a costly process from start to finish.
Tim pollard, associate editor of car magazine said "in four years time, eighty percent of car stereos won't work and many sat navs will be unable to receive traffic data. If you're buying a new car, you must tick the option specifying DAB radio now".
With a fifth of radio listening happening in the car, this is an important change that will affect us all.
