Neil51

I will be moving to Doha in April. I was thinking of taking a digital radio with me in the hope that I could listen to some English national and English regional channels (for the rugby league). I have never owned a digital radio before and wondered whether I could indeed tune in to English channels (rather than just the BBC world service). Can anyone advise on this please?

Also, would it be cheaper/easier to buy such a radio in the UK and take it over with me, or to buy one in Qatar? Would a radio I bought in the UK work in Doha?

I know that most of this could be answered by someone who knows about digital radios rather than an expat, but the level of knowledge of staff in electrical shops where I have asked this doesn't fill me with confidence that they have any idea at all on their product's functionality.

Thanks

Robajob

I think the chances of a UK DAB radio working in Qatar are nil. I'd be looking in Satellite radio or one of the 'Pure' internet radios that my mate in has in the UK where there is no DAB reception.

co durham boy

Why don't you just stream your radio stations online , that's what i do .

Millhouse

My DAB radio has sat unused in the UAE for 4 years now. Shame, I really used to like Gaydar FM... only the music mind, I felt sick when the presenters spoke.

co durham boy

Can't imagine you in a studded collar with a pair of leather chaps on .......

Miss Anne Thrope

Why?

Miss Anne Thrope

I guess the OP may be confusing DAB ("digital") radio which receives a broadcast digital radio signal with "internet radio" which enables you to receive radio channels via your home internet connection, either via your PC in the usual fashion or with specialised devices than can connect to your home network (usually Wi-Fi).

You won't be able to receive DAB radio signals from the UK here any more than you will digital TV broadcasts (as the person who asked about the Freeview box will now know). There are no local DAB broadcasts here, as far as I know, so a DAB radio would just be a big paperweight.

An internet radio should work as long as you can connect it to your home wi-fi network (and you have your router turned on). I bought such a device from Aldi in the UK 5 years ago for use here. It was very clunky to set up (entering the wi-fi password and selecting stations etc.) and not helped by the low bandwidth broadband here. The quality and intensity of the broadband connection has improved but meanwhile my device no longer wishes to connect to the wi-fi network. It is also a passable FM radio but was not a good purchase. I liked the idea of having a radio for the kitchen and not being tied to a PC in order to listen to the radio but there are better solutions now with many streaming devices that you could connect to your network to send music to a player.

Sandboy

I love my internet radio mind

keep it in the kitchen

flood2

I use my iPhone and "tune in" radio app, or I listen online

Neil51

Thanks for the advice.
I was aware that I could use the internet, but I don'y live having the computer on unless I have to, and wanted to have a radio.

What radio stations can be picked up in Doha, Qatar, and what are they like?

Robajob

If they're anything like the ones in Dubai - Godawful.

co durham boy

QBS and it's utter shit .One English music station and about 23 reciting the Quran ,throw in the call to prayer that is automatically played and you've got aural hell...

co durham boy

Mate , Dubai is cutting edge compared to the shite that comes over the airwaves here .

Pure dross of the highest order

Miss Anne Thrope

You don't need to have your computer switched on, just your wi-fi router. If you have an internet radio or other media streaming device then you can listen to any channel you like from anywhere (assuming the device is not limited to certain gateways). As others have said, the quality of local radio programming in the Gulf is very poor compared to the quality and variety you will be used to. Internet is the only way to get anything bearable.

Neil51

That's interesting, and good to know. Thank you