Is DVB-T2 radio stations suitable for outdoor listening?

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.