Admittedly, the Turkish metropolis Istanbul is not exactly around the corner, but it is a popular destination for city trips. In addition, what has been done regarding DAB+ deserves our attention.
How widespread is DAB+ in Turkey?
Until now, DAB+ was at best a side note in Turkey. A package with eight programs from the state broadcaster TRT is broadcast with presumably low power via a transmitter location in Ankara and two others east of Istanbul, specifically in Bursa and Kocaeli. There is currently conflicting information about the fourth location in Istanbul. The TRT package has been broadcast on channel 12B since 2017.
New private mux in Istanbul?
Recently, a private multiplex on channel 12C started broadcasting in Istanbul. The package is broadcast via the large, impressive Kücük Camliza television tower in the middle of the city and comes with an incredible transmission power of 52 kW ERP! This ensures good reception throughout the city and far beyond.
For comparison: We are already talking about a large transmitter if it works with 10 kW ERP. Very few locations come with up to 25 kW. Until now, 50 kW DAB+ transmitters were only known from Australia.
How big is the range?
As far as we know so far, the range is around 100 km in radius. We can assume good reception here. In any case, with this new high-power package we are dealing with one in Turkey for the first time that can be easily received over a large area. With the TRT Mux transmitters, this is only the case within a radius of 20 km.
What programs does the new Privatmux contain?
The new private package called “CamlicaDAB+” contains 14 programs. These are primarily the large private broadcasters in the country.
Im Detail:
- Power FM
- Radio D
- Power Turk
- Alem FM
- Best FM
- Head Radio
- TRT News
- Diyanet Radio
- Phenomenon
- CNN Turk
- Kiss FM
- TV24 Haber
- Boombox
- Haberturk
TRT-Mux in Istanbul?
It is quite possible that the TRT-Mux on channel 12B has now also been switched on with high power in Istanbul. This is supported by the fact that there is at least a receipt report of the TRT package from Varna in Bulgaria, around 260 km away, which is only a few days old. However, this reception was no longer successful the next day. This may have just been an overreach.
In any case, it will be exciting to see how DAB+ develops further in Turkey.
Also interesting:
Image source:
- Camlica Television Radio Tower Istanbul_: © Celt Studio/stock.adobe.com
Source: www.digitalfernsehen.de
