DAB+ Alpe-Adria Region

What means DAB?

DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcast and is a digital transmission form for the reception of digital radio. It is basically a further development of FM (frequency range 87.50 to 108.00). DAB covers the frequency range 30 MhZ to 3 GhZ.

The frequencies allocated to DAB are Band I (47 to 68 MHz), Band III (174 – 230 MHz), in some countries ‘Channel 13’ (230 – 240 MHz) and parts of the L-band (around 1.46 GHz).

Basically, the DAB band is divided into different ranges and extends from A to D, with 13 also extending to F. It starts at 5A (174,928 MHz) and ends at 13F (239,200 MHz).

Whereas with FM it was only possible to broadcast one programme on one frequency (e.g. RTL 102.5 on 104.50), with DAB/DAB+ it is possible to broadcast more than 10 programmes on one frequency (e.g. 11D). The number depends on the bit rate used for the individual programmes.

DAB+ is a further development of DAB and primarily represents an improvement in sound quality.

>> DAB at Wikipedia

Availability of DAB in the Alpe-Adria region (as of March 2025)

DAB and its successor DAB+ have already been successfully introduced in many countries around the world.

DAB+ has been active in Austria since 2015. Test operation began in 2015 and DAB+ has been active in Vienna since 2018. A nationwide mux was launched on 28 May 2019, initially in Vienna. Other transmitters were gradually put into operation, including Graz/Schöckl, which can also be received in Carinthia. In Central Carinthia, the Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch site went on air on channel 6A in August 2020. Since 2024, the Multiplex (MUX) DAB+ MUX 2-StBK on 6D and DAB+ MUX 3-StBK on 6B are operating from main transmitter sites with local programmes for Carinthia, Styria and Burgenland.

Slovenia broadcast a DAB package on channel 10D from Krvavec (supply transmitter for large parts of Slovenia) and is constantly enlarging the network. 10D covers most parts of Slovenia.

Initially, DAB was still broadcast in the old standard, but for some years now it has been broadcasting in the DAB+ standard. For some time now, a MUX has also been broadcasting on 7D in Ljubljana. Another Multiplex (MUX) (R2) was launched in October 2020, with one version for the west of the country and one for the east. It broadcasts on 12B for the east (includes the transmitter sites Plesivec and Pohorje) and on 12C for western Slovenia (includes sites such as Beli Kriz/Nanos/Kuk). In 2025, the MUX R4 and MUX R5 have been activated, those are currently in a testing phase.

In Italy, DAB is currently in the development phase, but mostly (still) only as a supplement to FM. Only a few radio operators are currently specifically promoting the expansion of DAB+ in Italy, such as RTL 102.5 with ‘EuroDAB’ and a consortium of nationwide radio stations with ‘DAB Italia’ (formerly Club DAB). Both have significantly expanded their broadcasting network in recent years and are also represented in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The stations broadcast from Attimis/Porzus (DAB Italia) and Faedis/Pedrosa (EuroDAB) north of Udine. However, these locations only cover the parts of Friuli situated in the plain lands area; Carnia in the north and the Tarvisiano (region around Tarvisio) are not yet or only partially covered. DAB Italia is present also in Trieste and Gorizia. EuroDAB is not present in Trieste or Gorizia.

FRIULIVG DAB is transmitting from Aviano/Castaldia (northwest of Pordenone) and from Trieste/Monte Belvedere on 9D. It contains local and semi-regional stations. go DAB is currently transmitting in Udine at 9B with a further extension to other areas of Friuli Venezia Giulia including the regional capital Trieste planned for 2025.

RAI is broadcasting DAB+ from the position of Monte Venda (transmitter pictures) one bouquet on 12D. Also on air since November 2013 is a new RAI DAB+ mux from the Aviano/Castaldia location for Pordenone and the surrounding area. With March 2025, RAI activated a new position at Trieste/Monte Belvedere covering now Trieste with all programmes of RAI also via DAB+.

In Veneto, most of the larger cities are covered, such as Verona, Treviso, Venice, Padova and Vicenza. Both EuroDAB (now 9A, in past 12A) and DAB Italia (7D, originally 12C) broadcast from numerous high-altitude locations such as Conco/Monte Rubbio, Velo Veronese or Monte Grappa. In the region around Padova, there are also active stations on 8C (Go DAB) and 8B (Veneto DAB).

Additional information:

in Slovenia, the operator RTV Slovenija ofers a map: https://www.rtvslo.si/oz/oddajniki/dab

DAB+ in Central Carinthia

Channel	Name	Position	Comments
6A	DAB+ Austria	Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch
6B	DAB+ MUX 3-StBK	Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch
6D	DAB+ MUX 2-StBK	Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch
7C	RAI DAB+	Monte Venda (Padova) / Bologna/Colle Barbiano	only on higher peaks/mountains
7D	SLO DAB+ R3 Mux	Ljubljana 3-Šance	in some spots
8A	DAB+ Austria	Graz 1/Schöckl	in some spots
9A	EuroDAB Italia	Bologna or Rimini area (several positions)	only on higher peaks/mountains
10D	SLO DAB+ R1 Mux	Krvavec / Kranjska Gora-Brgovi
12B	SLO DAB+ R2 E Mux	Plešivec (Uršlja Gora)

In the valleys, only the Slovenian muxes (10D and 12B) are currently receivable, in addition to DAB+ bouquets/MUX from Dobratsch.

However, the Italian muxes can only be received at altitudes of 800 to 3000 metres, especially in the southern mountain ranges.

DAB+ in Trieste

In Trieste, the regional capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia, DAB+ is currently offered by three operatores. The signals are broadcasted through local transmitter locations in Muggia south and at the Monte Belvedere situated north of the city centre. The transmitter Tinjan also provides Trieste with currently four bouquets from Slovenia.

Current bouquets/MUX available in the city:

Channel	Name	Position	Comments
6C	SLO DAB+ R4	Tinjan	currently (March 2025) only two programmes, further extension planned
6D	SLO DAB+ R5	Tinjan	currently (March 2025) only two programmes, further extension planned
7C	RAI DAB	Trieste/Monte Belvedere	national MUX with all programmes of RAI
7D	DAB ITALIA	Trieste/Monte Belvedere Muggia/Strada per Chiampore	national bouquet with nation-wide stations
9B	go DAB	Trieste/Monte Belvedere	local/semi-local bouquet, activation planned 2025
9D	FVG DAB	Trieste/Monte Belvedere est	local bouquet of Friuli Venezia Giulia
10D	SLO DAB+ R1	Tinjan	main national bouquet of Slovenia
12C	SLO DAB+ R2	Tinjan	second main national bouquet of Slovenia

Remark: To see the actual composition of each bouquet/MUX, please check this page: https://digitalbroadcasting.org/?channel=dab
The provided information for Koper (Capodistria) are valid also for nearby Trieste.

DAB Italia, the first nation-wide bouquet has started to transmit in Trieste several years ago and is now using two transmitter sides (Monte Belvedere and Muggia) to cover the city of Trieste. The bouquet contains stations such as m2o, Deejay, RDS and other nation-wide radio stations and transmits on 7D.

RAI DAB has started to transmit from the main transmitter of Monte Belvedere on 7C with March 2025. The MUX contains all RAI programmes. This happened simultanously with the switch from 12D to 7C. Before March 2025 it was only possible to receive RAI DAB in some areas of the city from Monte Venda (close to Padova) or from Aviano (close to Pordenone) on 12D.

In 2024, Friuli Venezia Giulia DAB has started first on 9B, switched then in 2025 to 9D. On this MUX it is possible to listen to semi-local stations from Northeast Italy such as Radio Piterpan, Radio Punto Zero, or Radio Company. It transmits from Monte Belvedere est.

EuroDAB Italia (on 9A) can be received on some spots, specifically on the coast and in the hilly area of the city. There is although no local position currently used.

In 2025 it is planned that go DAB will active another bouquet using 9B. It will transmit from Monte Belvedere.

In some spots of the city, also DAB+ from Croatia can be received: OIV Croatia from Učka on 11D.

More bouquets on the hills around Trieste (Carso):

As soon as someone leaves the city centre which is located between the sea and the hills that are surrounding Trieste, in altitudes of around 300-400 metres there are more channels that can be received even with simple devices. The list indicates some of them, on days with special atmospheric conditions even more can be logged.