The Big Switch: Changes to some FM transmission in West Wales

Across Summer 2025 we plan to retire a number of our smaller FM transmitters in West Wales. We will use this page to keep you updated with these changes and alternative ways to listen.

The Big Switch to DAB+ 

DAB digital radio has been on the air since 1995 and as an early adopter of the technology the UK used a form of encoding called Mpeg Layer 2 known as standard DAB.

Almost every other country around the world has adopted AAC+ encoding known as DAB+ and UK broadcasters are now adopting this encoding and upgrading their services.

DAB+ encoding generally allows a wider range of services to be broadcast in an area and/or an improved sound quality for listeners.

However, a small number of sets are not capable of decoding newer DAB+ signals.  

If a set cannot decode the signal the station may not appear on the list of available stations or it may appear on the list but be silent.

Unfortunately if you are no longer able to receive a station because your DAB radio cannot decode DAB+, you will need to find an alternative way to tune in - or upgrade your radio to one which is capable of receiving DAB+ stations.

By the end of 2026, subject to the upgrades taking place as anticipated by our various suppliers, we expect the majority of of our stations will be broadcasting on DAB+ and we will use this page to notify changes as they take place.

Planned changes

25 July 2025

Nation Radio plans to retire FM transmitters in Cardigan and Lampeter - we expect some listeners will be able to hear an alternative version of Nation Radio (Nation Radio West Wales) on 102.9FM or 107.1FM and DAB Digital Radio from Mid and West Wales transmitters in some parts of the impacted area.  Nation Radio North Wales (the existing service on FM) can also be heard online at nationplayer.com and on smartspeakers "Play Nation Radio North Wales" and on DAB Digital Radio in Ceredigion and North West Wales.  Subject to Ofcom approvals the station will also continue on 103.3FM in Aberystwyth.

Recent changes

June 2025

Radio Pembrokeshire has retired infill transmitters on 107.5FM in Fishguard and Tenby - coverage continues from the main transmitter in Haverfordwest on 102.5FM, on DAB+ Digital Radio in Mid and West Wales, online at nationplayer.com, the Nation Player mobile app and on smartspeakers: "Play Radio Pembrokeshire".  The station is also available on the UK Radio Portal ch 277 for connected freeview televisions.

April 2025

Easy Radio has left the Portsmouth Trial multiplex but remains available on the South Hampshire multiplex.  

March 2025

Dragon Radio in North West Wales has converted to DAB to DAB+

Nation 80s in North West Wales has converted from DAB to DAB+

Nation Radio in North West Wales has converted from DAB to DAB+