DAB randomly switching

BiggyG · Mar 30th, 2018, 22:34

I only notice this at weekends. Whilst I prefer to listen to my phone via Bluetooth, when MrsG gets in the car at the weekend she immediately sticks on BBC R2 via the DAB favourites, of which we have about 10 stations programmed.

After a while, the radio switches automatically from R2 to Heart Berkshire (which is in the favourites). No reason for it.

Checked the interrupt setting and all announcements turned off except “Alarm” which I’ve now turned off to see if it solves it.

I thought it might be knocking the steering wheel controls while turning but (a) it happenned going straight on the motorway the other day and (b) Heart is 4 or 5 stations further down the list than R2.

Anyone got any ideas?

Bernard F · Mar 30th, 2018, 23:57

My car does the same very occasionally and switches to a station down the list. I have always assumed that the car passes a DAB black spot and the radio grabs the strongest signal available. As your wanted station is the previous it only requires a touch on the left arrow button on the steering wheel right hand group to restore so not a great nuisance. You could always change to FM.

nu11eaf · Mar 31st, 2018, 08:56

FM is much better than DAB, I never use DAB now, tried to get along with it when I first got the car thinking it would be the bee's knee's but gave up on it and now stick to FM.

Clan · Mar 31st, 2018, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

FM is much better than DAB, I never use DAB now, tried to get along with it when I first got the car thinking it would be the bee's knee's but gave up on it and now stick to FM.

DAB is still experimental , new transmitters being added all the time , it will never be as intended until FM is turned off . Having said all that it's still pretty good having been using it solely for 5 years now.

apnicolle · Mar 31st, 2018, 09:33

It may be DAB Handover. So when the DAB signal is poor the radio switches to an FM station.

Have a look at;

https://support.volvocars.com/uk/car...a8015133b901ac which explains it better.

nu11eaf · Mar 31st, 2018, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

DAB is still experimental , new transmitters being added all the time , it will never be as intended until FM is turned off . Having said all that it's still pretty good having been using it solely for 5 years now.

At the moment its like a backward step to when we only had AM radio in our cars, DAB behaves the same way, loss of signal in hilly areas or under bridges and in tunnels, poor signal in high built up areas sometimes, hope they get all these problems solved before they switch off FM.

pagan8c · Mar 31st, 2018, 11:09

I have found DAB to be ok and have used it for the last few years. Must admit usually listen to BBC radio2 so it seems to pick up well in most places. When no DAB available the radio just switches to FM but this hasn't happened very often. I have tried DAB at home but found it rubbish there, so use FM on the home radio. I understood they have decided not to switch FM off on the original date set due to the problems with DAB, and have extended it.

JC888 · Mar 31st, 2018, 14:02

I have the same too from BBC R2 to Capital.
It happens less now that I’ve only switched Traffic announcement on.
I suspect it’s the setting which tries to find best DAB reception that does this.
Minor annoyance but never had it happen to my previous DAB enabled cars.

Quacker · Mar 31st, 2018, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC888

I have the same too from BBC R2 to Capital.
It happens less now that I’ve only switched Traffic announcement on.
I suspect it’s the setting which tries to find best DAB reception that does this.
Minor annoyance but never had it happen to my previous DAB enabled cars.

My Nissan, Honda and Volvo all do it. Not switching stations though, none of them do that apart from inserting local traffic announcements, which can be cancelled by pressing the centre button on the wheel if not. needed. No, they all switch back and forth from DAB to FM depending on whether there is a DAB signal or not. Around my part of the country there are quite a few valleys and other areas where DAB just doesn't work. In other areas there is a far more reliable signal.

BiggyG · Mar 31st, 2018, 20:57

Glad to know I’m not alone. Didn’t know about the left press - will try that next time it does it.

Had the DAB on the V60 for a few years. It cuts out fairly regularly, there is a spot on the way to work which has nothing to interfere but it always does. Never had it chop to another station though.

It would make sense if DAB dropped out to switch to the FM equivalent, but changing station is bonkers!

Mar 30th, 2018, 22:34	#1
BiggyG Junior Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2024 19:57 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tadley	DAB randomly switching I only notice this at weekends. Whilst I prefer to listen to my phone via Bluetooth, when MrsG gets in the car at the weekend she immediately sticks on BBC R2 via the DAB favourites, of which we have about 10 stations programmed. After a while, the radio switches automatically from R2 to Heart Berkshire (which is in the favourites). No reason for it. Checked the interrupt setting and all announcements turned off except “Alarm” which I’ve now turned off to see if it solves it. I thought it might be knocking the steering wheel controls while turning but (a) it happenned going straight on the motorway the other day and (b) Heart is 4 or 5 stations further down the list than R2. Anyone got any ideas? __________________ Mine: ‘69’ XC90 B5 R Design Pro Bursting Blue Formerly: ‘66’ XC90 D5 Inscription; ‘13’ MY2014 V60 D5 SE LUX NAV

Mar 30th, 2018, 23:57	#2
Bernard F Senior Member Last Online: Jul 14th, 2021 14:57 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Brentwood	My car does the same very occasionally and switches to a station down the list. I have always assumed that the car passes a DAB black spot and the radio grabs the strongest signal available. As your wanted station is the previous it only requires a touch on the left arrow button on the steering wheel right hand group to restore so not a great nuisance. You could always change to FM. __________________ XC60 T5 MY18 Inscription Pro, Intellisafe Pro, Xenium, Keyless, Silver, Dark windows, Tempa spare wheel.

Mar 31st, 2018, 09:33	#5
apnicolle Senior Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 23:58 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bexhill-on-Sea	It may be DAB Handover. So when the DAB signal is poor the radio switches to an FM station. Have a look at; https://support.volvocars.com/uk/car...a8015133b901ac which explains it better. __________________ Current; XC90 B5P Momentum Past; V90 Cross Country D4 2017 Polestar, XC90 D5 ES 2014, C70 T5 SE 2008, S60 2.0T SE2006, V40 1.9D SE 2004, S40 1.8GDI SE 2002

Mar 31st, 2018, 11:09	#7
pagan8c Master Member Last Online: Apr 7th, 2024 12:48 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: lincoln	I have found DAB to be ok and have used it for the last few years. Must admit usually listen to BBC radio2 so it seems to pick up well in most places. When no DAB available the radio just switches to FM but this hasn't happened very often. I have tried DAB at home but found it rubbish there, so use FM on the home radio. I understood they have decided not to switch FM off on the original date set due to the problems with DAB, and have extended it. Last edited by pagan8c; Mar 31st, 2018 at 11:12.

Mar 31st, 2018, 14:02	#8
JC888 Senior Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2022 21:28 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Northants	I have the same too from BBC R2 to Capital. It happens less now that I’ve only switched Traffic announcement on. I suspect it’s the setting which tries to find best DAB reception that does this. Minor annoyance but never had it happen to my previous DAB enabled cars. __________________ 2017 Volvo S90 D5 PowerPulse AWD Inscription - Xenium Pack, Panoramic Sunroof, Massage Front Seats, Family Pack. Electric Silver Nappa Soft Leather Perforated/Ventilated Charcoal

Mar 31st, 2018, 08:56	#3
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Today 00:27 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	FM is much better than DAB, I never use DAB now, tried to get along with it when I first got the car thinking it would be the bee's knee's but gave up on it and now stick to FM.

Mar 31st, 2018, 20:57	#10
BiggyG Junior Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2024 19:57 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tadley	Glad to know I’m not alone. Didn’t know about the left press - will try that next time it does it. Had the DAB on the V60 for a few years. It cuts out fairly regularly, there is a spot on the way to work which has nothing to interfere but it always does. Never had it chop to another station though. It would make sense if DAB dropped out to switch to the FM equivalent, but changing station is bonkers! __________________ Mine: ‘69’ XC90 B5 R Design Pro Bursting Blue Formerly: ‘66’ XC90 D5 Inscription; ‘13’ MY2014 V60 D5 SE LUX NAV

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