Alba TRDAB2820

Author's product rating:   

Radio Quality	Good
Sound & Volume	Good
Range of Features	Average
Durability	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Exceptional value for money
Disadvantages:	Mono output / no external aerial option

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

ALBA TRDAB2820 DAB RADIO
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My wife bought this radio to replace a fairly modern non-DAB receiver that we have in our kitchen. She was desperate to receive the same channels that we listened to on the DAB radio in our bedroom that were not available locally on the analogue FM and AM networks.

So my wife's main reason for change was based on channel selection (Kerrang and Planet Rock).

For me, apart from the advantage of receiving more channels, I was just as interested in improved sound reproduction and a reduction in interference.

I am glad to say that this very attractively priced DAB radio achieved both objectives and has been used for at least 3 or 4 hours per day since its purchase.

A BRIEF BACKGROUND TO DAB TRANSMISSIONS
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Most of used have grown up listening to radio stations transmitted on three wavebands:

AM
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Short for Analogue Modulation (the method used for converting sound waves to radio signals in a format suitable for transmission).

AM radio signals are suitable for fairly long wave transmission, but suffer from fairly narrow bandwidth - this presents itself to the listener as a sound that seems to lack the higher frequencies (treble) that you would get form playing a CD through your Hi Fi.

FM
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Short for Frequency Modulation (another method used for converting sound waves to radio signals in a format suitable for transmission).

FM radio signals employ a greater bandwidth - presenting itself to the listener as an almost Hi Fi type sound quality.

However, FM signals usually suffer from a more localised transmission (still many 10's of miles) and require the use of a higher quality radio receiver (this is less of an issue nowadays due to miniaturisation and mass production of circuitry).

LW
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Short for Long Wave - a bit more self-explanatory this time as the radio waves have a LONG wavelength (and relatively low frequency).

These signals are also AM (Amplitude Modulated) and have broadly the same properties as AM radio. The advantage is that these signals can often be transmitted over long distances.

All of the wavebands described above are analogue - and susceptible to various types of interference, predominantly due to signals becoming distorted and attenuated in the process of being transmitted from radio masts to our homes.

Digital Radio
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Digital signals suffer from distortion, however, as long as the distortion is not too great, they can be regenerated by the receiver producing a signal that is an exact copy of the original - so no distortion.

DAB - short for Digital Audio Broadcasting is the radio community's answer to Digital Broadcasting and is proving to be a great success across Europe.

If you own a DAB radio, as long as you are in an area that is able to receive DAB transmissions, you will be able to receive distortion and interference free radio, including many stations that you may not be able to pick up on your traditional receiver.

Currently it is estimated that 85% of the UK population are able to receive DAB radio signals. However, the number and range of stations that can be picked up varies from location to location - generally heavily populated areas will be served better. In my case I am able to receive 30 + stations.

THE ALBA DAB RADIO
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Enough of the background material (forgive me I spent long enough at college studying this in the early 80's), and onto the subject.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
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Why did I choose this Manufacturer and Model ?

Well, as already stated - I didn't. For me Alba is better known as a manufacturer of electronic goods at the lower end of the market (although I've always found them to be reliable and practical). My wife chose this particular Make and model because it was sold in the Post Office in which she works, it was cheap, and she was able to get a discount - all pretty good reasons really.

Anyway, her choice has proved to be very good - although she knew that all along and it didn't need me to review the product to tell you this. Our logic is different, but ultimately we usually come up with the same answer.

There are numerous makes and models on the market now, with a vast range of prices and features. Prices are also now very competitive which will undoubtedly lead to the death of traditional analogue radios.

The item was well packaged and once out of the box, actually looked quite attractive (even though I'm not usually too keen on white electronics).

The radio came complete with an integral telescopic aerial (of the FM radio type) and mains lead with moulded type mains plug (my preference for safety.

Overall the radio measures approximately 23cm wide, by 16cm high and 7cm deep. The aerial extends to about 55cm.

The display is white lettering on a powder blue background and is bright enough to read from a wide range of angles. Two lines of information are provided, the first line usually showing the channel name with the second line showing scrolling information - such as the website of the station or details about the presenter. Displayed information can be changed to suit the user - information is provided in the manual.

The radio can be connected to an external set of stereo headphones via a standard 3.5mm stereo jack connector. Standard audio connections are also available for Left and Right signals.

INSTRUCTIONS
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In the form of an A5 booklet with 14 pages (28 sides) of text of a readable size and written in a way that easily guides the user through the receiver's functions and features.

I don't know about anyone else, but being a bloke - I can't help switching on new electronic gadgets and fiddling with them without ever looking at the manual - is this just me ? I only refer to the guide when I get really stuck.

Anyway, I was able to access a number of channels without referring to the handbook and to store and receive favourite programmes (Talk Sport, 5 Live for me). This suggests that the radio is fairly easy to use with well labelled controls.

FEATURES
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The radio features two modes - DAB radio and the more traditional FM radio. Having the FM option is useful as there are still local FM channels that are not yet available on DAB. Switching between modes is performed by pressing the DAB/FM button (I told you it was easy !).

There are 20 user pre-set memories, 10 for DAB and 10 for FM, these are easily programmed and accessed - although for me 10 channels is a lot, how many people actually flick from station to station regularly ?

The radio can be run from both mains and battery (6 'C' size batteries). Batteries are easily installed in a dedicated compartment on the base of the unit.

Like other DAB radios, if you do carry it with you there is no need to retune to stay on the same nationally broadcast channel (as you would have to with FM and for longer journeys for AM).

EXPERIENCES USING THE DAB RADIO
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The controls are straightforward, clearly marked and fairly intuitive.

Radio reception varies from area to area, and just like analogue transmissions, can vary from time of day to time of day based on prevailing weather conditions. However, instead of a 'fading' or distorted signal, the DAB signal will behave like you mobile phone and just cut-out when reception is lost, sometimes resulting in a 'broken' signal. Often, repositioning the telescopic aerial will correct this problem.

The sound quality is pretty good from such a small radio although it only utilise a single front panel mounted speaker. Bandwidth rivals good FM receivers with a good frequency response across the range - i.e. it sounds pretty good.

There is enough volume to drown out even a nearby food mixer or loud children (a definite advantage).

The radio sits comfortably on one of our kitchen work surfaces with a fairly small profile (see figures earlier in the review). Even though it is predominantly white and grey-blue in colour, it blends in fairly well with our light brown(ish) work surfaces and grey-cream tiles (sounds awful doesn't it).

A lot of the time it is not necessary to have the aerial fully extended and at these times radio reception is faultless. During periods of unsettled weather (mainly stormy and overcast) it is usually necessary to pull the aerial out to it's maximum length. I have only once or twice had instances of a station disappearing altogether for a minute or two - these times were always during thunderstorms. It must be noted however that reception will vary from area to area, dependant on distance form the nearest transmitter(s) and your local geography.

This model does not include an option to connect an external aerial, so if you are in an area where reception is usually poor, this model may not suit you (you can check this by going to www.digitalradionow.com).

SUMMARY
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Excellent value for money (£30)

Good quality sound

Distortion & interference free reception

Well designed and attractive

Easy to use and programme

Well written, clear instruction manual

If asked, I would recommend this radio as a good buy and exceptional value for money. Oh, and I have to admit that my wife was right….