A friend has owned a Bose Wave with a DAB module for 20ish yaers. Recently when listening to dab radio on BBC stations 2,4 and 6 the sound switches on and off constantly. About 1 second intervals and consistent across these stations. Other stations work fine or have burbling from a weak signal. The radio has been in the same place for years with no nearby changes. I've moved it around her home with no improvement. No faults at local transmitters. Any thoughts? Is this a signal problem or an electrical, software or hardware fault?
I suspect it was the aerial but was confused why the signal would switch on and off as regularly as a metronome only on bbc stations. Presumably the same multiplex group. The Bose wave apparently uses its mains power cable as the aerial, the routing of this hasn't changed in years. Most recent changes in the room are a new tv 18 months ago and a new cooker 4 months ago. The cooker is off at the wall when not in use. There's a 2.5 mm aerial socket in the dab module which I connected an aerial from a Pure Highway into which didn't improve bbc stations and made others worse. She lives in a flat on a busy high street, would new electrical equipment outside affect her signal?
Something to do with this........?
( https://www.robertsradio.com/en-gb/bbc-shoutcast-service )
It's not just Roberts radios affected.
I have an Oakcastle which no longer works with BBC on DAB
( https://www.robertsradio.com/en-gb/bbc-shoutcast-service )
It's not just Roberts radios affected.
I have an Oakcastle which no longer works with BBC on DAB
That's odd, as it relates to internet streaming rather than DAB. (Of course a real DAB radio can receive almost nothing, it is all DAB+ now.)
The migration from DAB to DAB+ is slow in the UK.
According to an Ofcom report published 29 September 2023:
- Few radio stations currently broadcast on DAB+ and coverage of services varies across the UK.
- User awareness of DAB+ is low compared to more established technologies e.g. AM/FM, DAB, online listening.
It's good that you have checked there is no local transmitter fault.
I presume you will have tried re-tuning the radio?
I presume you will have tried re-tuning the radio?
I purchased the same unit in 2008 and the same has happened. The DAB+ specification was introduced in 2013 and all the old DAB broadcasts with few exception were ceased mid 2023. Unfortunately DAB & DAB+ are incompatible. The reason for the breakups is some, but not all of the signal, can be decoded rendering old DAB receivers obsolete. I have attempted to contact Bose to see if there is an alternative solution, but with no luck.
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Further to my last reply I have tied re-tuning and found the BBC national and some local stations also available in my area on the old DAB system - the display shows
Some manufacturers have supplied software upgrades to DAB radios to make them DAB+ compatible.
*BBC Radio "x" for DAB+ and BBC Radio "x" for DAB. Some stations do not seem to have a DAB equivalent. Don't know how long this may continue. Hope this helps.Some manufacturers have supplied software upgrades to DAB radios to make them DAB+ compatible.
I've fixed it. Just before Christmas I bought it to my home to take it apart to clean the laser as it was also struggling to play CDs. I live about 10 miles from her and the radio was the same on BBC stations. I did a factory reset then retuned the presets and its now working fine. Factory reset instructions on the BOSE website. Check this matches your model, https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/support/articles/HC2563/productCodes/wms/article.html
Good luck with yours.
Good luck with yours.
In frustration I actually purchased a very good blutooth audio receiver for £50 (new) and used that instead. Only tried the DAB module again after seeing your post. I'll try your suggestion, thanks, as it is more convenient than using my phone, although the remote has now (about 14:30 today) thrown a wobbly with the VOL up button transmitting continuously so will need to source one of those also.
You could try cleaning the PCB below the buttons with isopropyl alcohol, assuming the remote control uses some variant of a membrane keyboard.
I've recently discovered the BBC sounds app and connect to a bluetooth enabled Pure radio which I'm enjoying for endless podcasts and catch up radio so your bluetooth adapter is still very usable if you want online content.
Years ago a tv remote was constantly increasing the volume which was caused by dust inside making a connection. The Bose remote can be taken apart for cleaning but the front needs removing and is glued on. Try searching youtube videos. I'd start by taking the battery out, no idea if it'll work but simple enough to try.
Years ago a tv remote was constantly increasing the volume which was caused by dust inside making a connection. The Bose remote can be taken apart for cleaning but the front needs removing and is glued on. Try searching youtube videos. I'd start by taking the battery out, no idea if it'll work but simple enough to try.
Thanks for the suggestion - I don't like waste and like to repair things if I can and have brought a number of full size remotes back to life in that way. With those, I usually find some liquid inside - haven't been able to determine if it is condensation, finger grease or breakdown of the plastic/rubber/silicon material. I did look at taking the Bose one apart, but these thin ones are not as easy to do without damage and third party replacements are not expensive so I decided to buy one. Out of curiosity, I have put the Bose one in a drier incase it is just water moisture causing the problem - we use it in a sealed plastic bag in a bathroom. I have a Pioneer one of the same type as the Bose that is probably even a bit older that has recently gone the same way, but at least the Pioneer also has buttons on the device.
Curiosity got the better of me and I took it apart. Despite removing the plastic top as carefully as could most of the print stuck to the board below. Nonethless I cleaned the button to find quite a bit if carbon came off - shorting the VOL UP button which was the issue. However, said carbon and that of the VOL DOWN (the two buttons most frequently use) had completely detached from the plastic button top so now it has certainly met its maker as all the other buttons work except those two.