In certain countries, some digital terrestrial television providers offer radio broadcasting services on DVB-T2 platform.
Although DVB-T2 is primarily for television broadcast, but some the radio stations are launched on DVB-T2 platform.
In Malaysia, the digital terrestrial television provider MYTV has radio broadcasting service on DVB-T2 platform.
MYTV has 14 radio stations on DVB-T2 platform, such as:
* RTM Radio Klasik
* RTM Nasional FM
* RTM Sarawak FM
* RTM Sabah FM
* RTM Traxx FM
* RTM Ai FM
* RTM Minnal FM
* RTM Asyik FM
* RTM Wai FM (Iban + Lun Bawang + Kayan + Kenyah)
* RTM Sabah VFM
* Bernama Radio
* Molek FM
* Hot FM
* Kool 101
MYTV radio channel availability on DVB-T2 platform can by-pass the limitation of frequency coverage transmission for certain radio channels.
When radio broadcasting service is available on DVB-T2 platform, this makes the radio listeners more convenient because they can listen to their favorite radio stations on TV, but is DVB-T2 radio stations suitable for outdoor listening (example: listen in the car)?
I try to listen to RTM Sarawak FM on MYTV CH709 via DVB-T2 by using Leadstar D7 portable TV with installing a portable TV antenna on the car rooftop, then connect the portable TV to the car stereo AUX port by using AUX cable. The signal is average when I listen at the stationary position while car stops, but I cannot tune to DVB-T2 radio stations anymore when I start to drive.
Based on my listening experience, although if I tune to DVB-T2 radio stations near the transmitter tower while I'm driving, but the signal is unstable when I move at slower speed, then it is disappeared at higher speed.
DVB-T2 radio station has no signal anymore when I drive at a speed more than 30km/h. Although MYTV Bukit Sungai Besi transmitter tower is very near to Bukit Jalil and Seri Kembangan, but I cannot receive a stable signal when I'm driving.
This is because:
1. DVB-T2 broadcasts on UHF frequency band between 470MHz-698MHz, the band is higher than VHF and FM, so its coverage will be smaller than FM and VHF transmission.
2. In Malaysia, most of the MYTV DVB-T2 transmitter ERP (Effective Radiated Power) is less than 10kW, so the coverage is smaller and MYTV DVB-T2 reception stability is low.
3. DVB-T2 on UHF band is mainly used for digital terrestrial television broadcast, meanwhile it is not for radio broadcasting service, but radio stations transmission on DVB-T2 is only for indoor with stationary condition.
==Characteristics of DVB-T2 radio stations for outdoor listening==
1. DVB-T2 radio stations signal is zero when car moves at higher speed.
2. Maximum speed of DVB-T2 signal when car is moving: 25km/h
3. During traffic jam with the speed between 10-25km/h, DVB-T2 signal becomes available, but unstable reception. The signal is only totally stable when car is fully stopped.
==Conclusion==
1. DVB-T2 radio stations are not suitable for outdoor listening such as tune in the car or listen while walking.
2. To tune a radio in the car or outdoor, it is strongly recommended to tune via FM radio or online streaming (mobile app). Radio via online streaming is more stable than DVB-T2 platform.
Due to growing of advanced car infotainment head unit (IHU) which allows internet connectivity, DVB-T2 radio and DAB+ are not important anymore.
DVB-T2 radio is only suitable to be tuned at the home, office, restaurants and workplace where are indoor.
In mid 2005, my family and I made a journey between Miri and Kuching. According to my experience, when the car increasingly got far away from Bukit Lambir, the radio and cell phone (still 2G if I'm not mistaken) coverage were getting weaker and disappear. With 0 radio coverage, playing cassette tape were our only source of entertainment while on the move. Only when we were getting closer to Bintulu, the radio and 2G coverage getting strong back. The same process occurred until we reach Serian vicinity. From Serian onwards, the coverage didn't got interrupted until Kuching vicinity. I'm not sure about nowadays.
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