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Digital Radio is like analogue FM radio but even better. Digital radio offers an abundance of new digital only stations, improved sound quality, no frequencies  

to remember as stations are displayed using names, which makes it very easy to tune. The audio quality of DAB is near that of a CD with no interference and 

no retuning, and the introduction of text, data and even pictures will enhance DAB in the future .

The BBC was the pioneer of digital radio, beginning transmissions in September 1995. Digital One, the national commercial radio multiplex operator began 

broadcasting in November 1999. There has been a growth in the number of digital radio stations throughout the UK and both the BBC and Digital One are 

committed to extending their coverage. Digital One currently covers 80% of the UK population, soon to increase to 85%, and the BBC covers 65% with the aim 

of increasing coverage to 80% by 2003.

To find out about digital radio coverage in the UK, check out the following websites:

BBC:  

 

 

www.bbc.co.uk/digitalradio

National Commercial Radio:  www.ukdigitalradio.com

DRDB:   

 

www.drdb.org

Your Acoustic Solutions SP110 DAB tuner will receive programs broadcast on Band 3 digital radio (174-240MHz), there are 41 channels within this range 

numbered 5A to 13F, the number of channels you can receive will be dependant on your location and signal strength. The UK has been allocated seven 

multiplexes by the Radio Authority - in the spectrum 217.5-230.0 MHz, which are numbered 11B to 12D.

A multiplex is a broadcaster such as BBC or Digital One who will provide a host of different stations within their multiplex. If we consider the BBC as an 

example, the following diagram shows how the BBC multiplex may work.

The multiplex name is BBC (also sometimes referred to as an ensemble)

Also shown is channel and carrier frequency although it is not

necessary to know this as the BBC is known by name rather than 

frequency.

Below the main multiplex provider name will be a host of primary stations.

These are labelled as the station name again rather than the frequency.

This allows you to tune SP110 by station name, which is easier than 

trying to recall frequencies.

Sometimes a secondary service station may be provided by the 

broadcaster, for instance this is sometimes used when an

alternative commentary is provided on a sporting match or event.

These secondary service stations are not permanent and may not

always be used for broadcast. When a secondary station is available 

below the primary station, the following symbol will be shown 

on the display of the SP110; >>. 

Details on how to use the SP110 are covered in the following pages.

Summary of Contents for SP110

Page 1: ...timum working temperature WHAT IS DAB DAB radio will change the way that people listen to radio over the next few years You will probably be aware that digital radio will become mandatory in the future as the terrestrial radio frequencies which you currently listen to will be re allocated for other uses such as emergency services This means that today you are one of the pioneers using this technol...

Page 2: ...annels within this range numbered 5A to 13F the number of channels you can receive will be dependant on your location and signal strength The UK has been allocated seven multiplexes by the Radio Authority in the spectrum 217 5 230 0 MHz which are numbered 11B to 12D A multiplex is a broadcaster such as BBC or Digital One who will provide a host of different stations within their multiplex If we co...

Page 3: ... damaged The SP110 system is double insulated and does not require an earth connection in the UK mains plug UK MAINS PLUG DETAILS For your convenience a mains plug with a fuse 3 Amp has been fitted to this appliance For your safety please observe the following information The SP110 is designed to operate on AC mains supply between 220 and 240 volts 50 Hz The wires in the mains lead are coloured in...

Page 4: ...AB services Press once for UK services or hold for longer than 2 secs to activate an international search when SP110 unit is being used in other band 3 areas 9 Function button activates features such as station order manual tune DRC value SW version indication signal error rate Hold for 2 seconds to activate factory reset this will erase all memory locations and multiplex listings and instigate re...

Page 5: ...his manual 2 Mains cable inlet position please ensure that this cable strain relief bush is intact and has not been damaged 3 Analogue audio outputs for connection to line input sockets on amplifiers 4 Optical S PDIF output for connection to audio amplifiers with digital inputs 5 Antenna connection REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS 5 ...

Page 6: ... this unit with such items as rugs covers or curtains which will restrict this air flow and may cause over heating Never allow the tuner to come into contact with water or liquids and ensure that small objects do not fall through the ventilation grills In the event of this hap pening disconnect the wall plug form the mains supply immediately and contact your local dealer for service advice Do not ...

Page 7: ... Itispossibletoadjustthesignalstrengthbychangingthepositionoftheantenna andbyusingthevisualbargraphdisplayitispossibletopositiontheantennaformaximumsignalstrength Further enhancementscanbemadetothereceptionqualitybypurchasingabetterqualityaerial availablefrommosthi firetailers Forbestreception wewouldrecommendanexternalorloftmountedDABantenna Therearetwomaintypesavailable a Dipole b 4 elementaeria...

Page 8: ...eck that the antenna connection is correct At this point the function menu can be selected which allows manual tuning to try and locate services in your area see page 3 for information on manual tuning Following manual tuning if no DAB radio stations can be received please check that adequate DAB coverage exists in your area see page 2 on checking for coverage information 8 When you unpack the tun...

Page 9: ...nce the SP110 has built a station list it will retain this list in memory unless you decide to reset it Sometimes it may be the case that a particular DAB station is not available in your area however the station still exists in the memory of the SP110 This may occur if the DAB tuner has been moved and is now being operated in a different location It may also be that secondary level DAB stations a...

Page 10: ...this button is pressed Please also refer to page 12 for instructions on using the favourite station setting to influence the preset locations CHANGING THE INFO SETTINGS It is possible to change the information which is displayed on line 2 of the LCD display when listening to a DAB station The options are as follows a DLS Dynamic Label Segment this is scrolling text information supplied by the radi...

Page 11: ... radio stations there may never be the need to establish if any new primary or secondary stations have become available It is possible to instigate returning of your SP110 tuner to redefine the service list of stations in your area To do this simply press the Autotune button this will activate a local search for stations on band 3 in the UK only As band 3 contains channels not allocated to the UK ...

Page 12: ...st of favourites The SP110 will list your top 10 favourite stations at the start of the station order list so that it is not necessary to scroll through the entire list to find the stations which you listen to most often Note because the SP110 builds a favourite list from the station order list it will remove that particular station from its normal position within the station order list and place ...

Page 13: ... with 3 levels of dynamic range control which apply compression to an audio signal in an attempt to reduce the difference in levels between these stations This means that when changing between radio stations large volume changes can be avoided To activate this mode press the function key to display the menu options on line 2 Scroll up down until DRC value is displayed Press the function control kn...

Page 14: ...g Similarly dust deposits which become damp can sometimes lead to electrical problems which may cause severe damage to the delicate electronics within this unit The SP110 has been fitted with a headphone amplifier to allow discreet listening Plug a 6 4mm stereo headphone jack in to the socket 12 provided Adjust the volume of the headphones using the headphone volume knob 11 Turn clockwise to incre...

Page 15: ...bel of a service or removes a label whilst you are listening to it The SP110 will try to retune to this station or alternatively follow the procedure for auto tune on page 11 I can t hear the station I have selected Ensure you have pressed the function control knob when you have made your selection The station you are currently listening to will be displayed on line 1 of the LCD display as you scr...

Page 16: ...96dBm typ Adjacent Channel Rejection 35dB typ Display 2 line by 16 character LCD LED backlight Presets 4 Audio Output Stereo 2 5V P P 48kHz sample rate 16 bit sample resolution Optical S PDIF IEC60958 Compliant 48kHz sample rate 24 bit sample resolution Power 220 240V AC 20W Operating Temp 0 to 50 deg C ...

Page 17: ...tions co uk email enquiries acousticsolutions co uk Through the process of continuous improvement Acoustic Solutions Limited reserves the right to change or alter specifications without prior notice E OE BBC Digital Radio Digital Radio Development Bureau Digital One Room 5661 The Radio Centre 20 Southampton Street Broadcasting House 77 Shaftesbury Avenue London Portland Place London WC2E 7QH Londo...

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