After our last trip with no tv or phone signal what so ever I thought I’d take a radio with us on our next trip. The question is which is liable to be better in an area of bad signal, I have an ancient Roberts radio with sw, mw & long wave or I have a new Roberts Dab radio, I don’t watch a lot of tv but it’s handy to have at least a radio

Hi, firstly we are no way techies and better options are probably out there but this was our choice. We love to listen to a radio and after a bit of research plumped for a Ruark Tabletop Radio R1 Mark3. It had two major things going for it. Firstly, apart from the telescopic aerial you can fix an external aerial to it (Screwfix Labgear Omni Directional ) which we put under the bed next to the onboard water tank and increases the signal massively, secondly, a battery pack (re-chargeable) for when we are not on hook-up, which is most of the time. It lasts well if you are careful. Very pleased with the set up.

I have a modern Roberts Rambler radio it has dab and also FM, I tend to find that DAB can be a bit patchy in rural areas but it is getting better, however if the dab reception is poor I can always find something on the fm band.

Hi Chas, we use a JBL Tuner 2. Its DAB and FM, and has the most amazing sound quality. It lasts about 12hours on one charge and charges via Type C USB. It also has Bluetooth so we can stream from our iPhones too via 4G.

If you are going to places where there is no mobile phone or television signal then there is almost no chance at all that you will be in a DAB radio area. Your choice of a classic Roberts radio with SW MW and LW is certainly a great idea but don't forget FM which is more or less available all over the UK and most of Europe. The audio quality of FM is much better then SW MW or LW and it is also virtually free from interference and all the other weird noises ans comings and goings of nighttime reception on MW and SW.
10 out of 10 for choosing radio!

Steve.

PS I am pretty knowledgeable about this stuff so please post with any other questions.

No DAB in France?

We're in the process of buying a new van (not an Eriba - shame) and I've noticed that the manufacturers have fitted an AM/FM radio without DAB this model year, whereas for the previous few years the radios were DAB capable. It's probably a cost saving measure but presumably DAB radios use computer chips and their worldwide shortage may have driven the change.

The lack of DAB got me thinking and I remembered I bought a brown Pure Evoke Mio back around 2011 and, rather like the traditional Roberts radio it just looked right in a Touring range van. It worked fine too, the only issue is, like the Roberts I believe, the leatherette skin on the exterior finish is stupidly thin and easily snagged, exposing the pale soft foam underneath which makes the thing look tatty quite quickly. Probably OK for keeping on a shelf at home but not so good when it keeps having to be packed away in a van on a regular basis. Still it will be resurrected when our new van arrives.

I have had (probably the same) DAB/FM little Pure radio with (expensive) add-on rechargeable pack for at least ten years and it works really well. I get weeks on a charge.Definitely one to recommend

Isn't it easier to listen to radio either on your phone or tablet with a bluetooth speaker?

Isn't it easier to listen to radio either on your phone or tablet with a bluetooth speaker?

Sorry, you've lost me Islay, can you translate that from Chinese into English !!!

On your phone, you download a free radio app, and listen. Most campsites have WIFI or you can use 4/5G. I can only talk for France . For example last week, we were on a site where you had to watch a 30 second video to get free wifi for the day and Bob est ton Oncle as we say! Same for watching TV. I use TV Mucho (not free) for English TV. Then there's Netflix and Amazon Prime..... lots of options for radio and TV. Small solutions for small caravans LOL

Islay, If you use a VPN you should be able to watch UK tv channels.