GenX Radio Suffolk is now available on DAB+ across Suffolk!
DAB+ is a newer version of traditional DAB. Traditional DAB is inefficient both technically and audibly. Whilst traditional, legacy DAB technology is more compatible, it uses more bandwidth to transmit (meaning less stations can broadcast on a single digital frequency) and the old audio technology it relies upon means stations traditionally sound worse compared to DAB+ stations.
DAB+ is available on most receivers as standard now, receivers capable of this modern DAB standard usually show the digital tick or DAB+ logo (both pictured, logos courtesy of getdigitalradio.com) – some compatible radios, notably sets sold before 2018, often do not display DAB+ credentials but despite this, actually recieve DAB+ just fine, including, but not limited to, most cars with DAB+ built in.
Getting Tuned In
The first step to checking for DAB+ capability is to simply do a full channel scan on your existing radio. If you can find us, then you have DAB+!
Most radio’s have a very easy full scan option. Please consult your radio manual for detailed instructions.
Automatic Tuning
To perform a full scan on most portable sets:
- Ensure the radio is in DAB mode and selected onto a digital station
- Press the MENU key (or press and hold the MENU key if the key is multi-functional, i.e, a MENU/INFO key)
- Look for Scan and select Automatic – some radio’s may require you to select Factory Reset or Prune
- Wait up to 10 minutes for the receiver to reboot and scan. We recommend not running a scan on battery power and do not disconnect power during a scan
- After scanning, navigate to the letter G and you should find “GenX” or “GenX Suffolk”, press SELECT/OK to tune
Some receivers can have GenX added without performing a full scan or reset. This is handy for keeping presets but sometimes won’t work properly if the receiver has loads of channels stored (for example, a receiver that have been tuned in another county previously)
Manual Tuning
- Ensure the radio is in DAB mode and selected onto a digital station
- Press the MENU key (or press and hold the MENU key if the key is multi-functional, i.e, a MENU/INFO key)
- Look for Scan and select Manual or Manual Tuning
- The radio will now ask you which “block” to scan, scroll to “Block 10C” or “10C” and press SELECT/OK
- Most receivers will show a signal meter represented by square blocks, you’ll notice one square is bigger or a different shape, this is the “minimum” level of signal required to tune.
- Once you have a good signal on the indicator, press SELECT/OK and tuning will begin. Unlike a full scan, this will take seconds to complete, depending on signal strength.
- After scanning, navigate to the letter G and you should find “GenX” or “GenX Suffolk”, press SELECT/OK to tune
Effortless Tuning
Some receivers are smart enough to find new stations without performing a scan. Please note: Not all receivers correctly support this, so the tuning instructions recommended in the manual of the receiver is always preferable.
To try tuning in this way:
- Ensure the radio is in DAB mode and then tune a station which specifically contains the word “Suffolk” in its name
- Allow this station to play for approx. 5 seconds
- After 5 seconds of a “xx Suffolk” station has played, a compatible radio would have run a background scan on the local DAB frequency
- If your radio supports tuning in this way, “GenX” or “GenX Suffolk” should now be available to tune immediately.
Troubleshooting
If you have followed the above steps without issue, but can’t find GenX on your DAB radio, your radio may not be DAB+ compatible and therefore unable to tune into GenX Radio Suffolk.
Some things to try:
- Ensure the radio has a good signal and is in a good position. Ideally by a window and free from clutter
- If the radio is portable, try tuning again outdoors
- Factory Reset the radio and if there is a Prune setting, run a Prune of the receiver – this clears the radio’s memory
If these steps do not work, you may need a new radio. Try calling our radio re-tuning support line on 01473 561161 for support and buying advice.