Dab Radio

[JuniperEccles]

My sister has a DAB radio which works perfectly when plugged into the electricity but doesn't work at all using only the 6 x C batteries. Any suggestions as to why, please?

[Jomlett]

I can only think the batteries have been inserted incorrectly...Plus + and Minus - in the correct order.

[JuniperEccles]

The batteries are new Jomlett, and I double-checked that I've put them in the right way so I'm mystified!

[Fibonacci]

You don't say the name of the model
Is there a switch to change between AC power and using batteries.

[JuniperEccles]

Good point, Fibonacci. I'll see if I can find a switch switch (geddit?)!!

[magicmick]

I have a small pocket dab radio with 2 small batts works great, also have a larger dab radio tales 6 c batts, hopeless, even with duracell so never use it with batteries

[JuniperEccles]

I think you're right, magicmick. That's £3.87 down the drain !

[ichkeria]

It should still work with the batteries tho even if they don't last too long. My old DAB radio worked well on batteries

[ichkeria]

Nonetheless not sure DAB radios are really the thing any more? Not when you can get hundreds more digital channels via wifi and satellite TV

[Gavmacp]

Does a DAB radio drain batteries quicker than old type radio? I put some in mine and was shocked at how short they lasted.

[bhg481]

Digital radios have a lot of work to do de-compressing the signal, so they're heavy on batteries. It's interesting to hear how far behind an FM radio they are if you play the two together - the time delay is due to the decompression taking several seconds.

[mikey4444]

Of course it should work with batteries. If you have checked that the batteries are OK and inserted correctly, and there isn't a switch, then the radio itself must be faulty. If its less than a year old, take it back and make a complaint.

All this is not to say that DAB radios will work for very long on batteries, as they tend to drain more current than an ordinary FM radio. I made the mistake a few years ago of buying a wind-up FM/DAB radio and no matter how long I wind the ruddy thing up, it won't work for very long on DAB, but is OK on FM !

You should have no problems accessing the instruction booklet on line, if it has been lost. What is the exact make and model please ?

[JuniperEccles]

I'll find out the make next time I visit my sister. She's in a care home so I can't just ring her and ask. As suggested, when I find out the make and model I'll have a look online for the manual.

[mikey4444]

JuniperEccles...if you need any more help with this, please don't hesitate to ask !

[Baldric]

Could it be in a weak-signal area, and when it's connected to the mains they are acting as an aerial?

[JuniperEccles]

Just to put everyone out of their misery, I suddenly thought of pulling out from the radio the jack that was attaching the cable to the plug and, hey presto, it worked. So I'm dim !! Many thanks for all your input.