Technology has greatly changed the way we consume media. A notable advance in radio technology is Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), which offers a wider choice of stations and better sound quality. However, not all countries have adopted this new technology. So, out of curiosity, does the US have DAB radio?
Radio stations in the US have DAB radio broadcasting using in-band on-channel technology. The technology means that these radios broadcast analogue (FM/AM) and digital signals simultaneously. Because of this, DAB has limited availability and acceptance in the US.
In the rest of this article I will cover the use of DAB radios in the US. I’ll also talk about the differences between DAB and other radios, including how it’s used in the US.
Let’s begin!
Can you use your digital radio in the US?
You can use your digital radio in the US if it has in-band on-channel technology. However, according to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), only in-band on-channel (IBOC) technology is allowed for AM (day and night) and FM broadcasting.
Here’s a simple way to think about IBOC technology: A station using 102.7 FM has a similar frequency on digital radio.
What does this mean if you want to travel to the US from a country like the UK?
An important point to note is that traditional DAB radios used in countries like the UK, Africa, Australia and Asia may not work in the US.
Since the US only allows IBOC signals propagation, you need a compatible radio to receive these signals.
In short, you need to buy an IBOC compliant digital radio for use in America.
You can listen to IBOC hybrid radio stations across the United States on both AM and FM bands.
How digital radios work
Digital radios are more efficient than their traditional analogue counterparts because they are not susceptible to interference from adjacent channels.
Therefore, they receive more channels than their FM and AM counterparts. How do you work?
These radios convert and transmit sound in the form of digital signals. The broadcast station creates and encodes audio into digital signals before transmitting them to the digital radio receiver.
The receiver decodes the digital signalsto convert them to audio. The decoding process produces excellent sound quality due to digital signal processing that eliminates noise.
Is your DAB radio not receiving stations? This article will show you how to solve this problem.
The difference between DAB and other radios
How do DAB radios differ from internet and satellite radios? Here are the main differences.
● Broadcasting technology in the USA: While US DAB radios use IBOC technology, their internet and satellite counterparts are broadcast as individual channels.
● Power consumption: DAB radios use less energy than internet or satellite radio because they receive the signal directly from the station. The signals do not go through an intermediary (e.g. a satellite).
● Bandwidth: DAB radios have longer ranges due to their wider bands. The longer range means you can listen to more radio stations.
● Frequency range: DAB radios use higher frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum than analog FM/AM radios. The higher the signal frequency, the better the sound quality and reception. In addition, higher frequencies are less susceptible to interference from other channels.
● listening experience: FM and AM radios are prone to static noise and other interference, mainly due to weak signals. However, digital radios offer a smooth and uninterrupted listening experience.
● Channel Options: DAB radios use DAB multiplexing technology to display multiple digital radio stations on the same frequency. This allows you to choose from a variety of audio programs.
How to use DAB radio in the US
At this point you know the US restrictions on using DAB radios. Now how can you make the most of them?
First, you can purchase an IBOC based radio or compatible digital adapter. Depending on the budget and requirements, different models have different features.
Alternatively, you can listen to satellite and online radio if you have internet access.
Finally, you can receive channels from other countries in the USA. For example, you can receive UK programming in the US via the BBC World Service.
You can also listen to these stations online with a standalone internet radio receiver, online streaming on sites like TuneIn, or a smartphone app.
Final Thoughts
The US has DAB radio, but only if your digital receiver has IBOC technology.
This technology allows broadcasters to transmit analogue and digital signals simultaneously on the same frequency.
With digital radio you get better sound quality and receive a wider range of programs than conventional analogue FM or AM stations.
In addition, a digital radio receiver enables you to receive high-quality international radio programs without scratches.
It is possible that your DAB radio is being interfered with. Luckily, there are ways to stop such interference for uninterrupted sound and clarity.
Check out our guide on how to avoid interference with a DAB radio.
