This application produces a list of broadcast transmitters near to a specific location. Ofcom have a resource known as Technical Parameters which offers AM, DAB and FM transmitter data (such as location, ERP, RDS and such). These CSV files allow for easy handling of this information making it possible to display it in a user-friendly list or map…obviously with a little coding effort.
My solution lets you specify a frequency (or “all”) and select a range – you are then offered a list of matching transmitters/stations in order of distance from your location. Uses include: Identify a potential frequency for a new service (like a Community Radio Station) or simply to find out what stations are nearby and what services you can get from a nearby DAB multiplex. An option allows you to filter for nearby Community stations. You can also find for a specific service within a set distance, eg: Find all transmitters for “Heart” within 50 miles of Bristol and so on.
Examples of use :
- Identifying potential frequencies for a new service on AM or FM
- Finding out how many Community Radio stations are within nn km/miles of you
- Finding all transmitters for a particular station within nn km/miles of you
- Seeing what DAB services you can pick up when you travel to a different part of the country
- Find the local DAB transmitters for a given Multiplex
- Find the nearest DAB transmitters for a particular service (eg: “where can I listen to Radio X?”)
- See the heights (above sea level) and aerial (above ground) of DAB+FM transmitters
- Can “grab” a Google/OpenMaps URL from the clipboard
Search results offered include: Distance, Frequency, Station/Service, Location/Site, In-Use ERP and Site/Aerial Height. The “Frequency Finder” highlights potential “gaps” on the AM/FM bands. This works via the location+range filter plus removing frequencies +/-200KHz (18KHz for AM) either side of the “offending” service – a not-very-scientific method but provides a general idea of how cluttered the band is.
Download
RadioLookup v1.14 Setup (updated 12th Mar)
The unregistered version is free and can be used as often as you like. Over 80 preset locations are included, but up to 100 can be defined. In order to see the latest data, just run the latest installer “over the top” of your existing installation.
The database is normally updated a day or so after Ofcom publish their latest “TX Params” spreadsheet (which usually happens when there has been significant changes to services/transmitters) but there may also be features/fixes to the program as required.
Additional Features enabled in purchased version:
- Show Individual DAB Services [example]
- NEW: Show specific Multiplex Transmitters within a set range [example]
- NEW: Find the nearest DAB transmitters for a particular service [example]
- NEW: Up to 500 preset locations
- Find Available AM/FM Frequencies [example]
- List TXs at this Site [example].
- Set of GPX files featuring AM, CR, DAB and FM transmitter locations to use with Basecamp, Googlemap, OpenStreetMap etc
To register your copy and unlock the extra features, a one-time payment of £10 is required. Click here to make a £10 payment via Nochex.