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.
Availability of DAB in the Alpe-Adria region (as of autumn 2025)
DAB and its successor DAB+ have already been successfully introduced in many countries around the world.
Austria
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 (regional MUX for Styria and Carinthia) on 6D and DAB+ MUX 3-StBK (also for Styria and Carinthia) on 6B are operating from main transmitter sites with local programmes for Carinthia, Styria and Burgenland region. They are transmitted currently from transmitters Dobratsch, and Koralpe covering the biggest cities in Carinthia. The public broadcasting company ORF still is not on DAB+, but channel 6C is reserved.
More information about coverage and current programmes: https://dabplus.at/programme/sendegebiete/
Slovenia
Slovenia constantly expands the coverage on DAB. In recent years, especially since 2020, RTV Slovenija as operator of the network of transmitters has activated many new transmitters, not anymore just big transmitter locations such as Krvavec, Pohorje, Nanos or Plešivec, but also minor locations to cover smaller cities and villages, highways and main national roads.
Slovenian’s Multiplexs are numbered from 1 to 5.
Initially, DAB was still broadcast in the old standard, but for some years now it has been broadcasting in the DAB+ standard. The main channel 10D was originally broadcasted from Krvavec (main transmitter for the area of Central Slovenia with cities like Ljubljana and Kranj) and was expanding constantly in recent years. Now the first MUX, SLO DAB+ R1 on 10D reaches most of Slovenia using all main transmitter locations. Besides RTV Slovenija’s national programmes (Prvi, Val 202, ARS), nationwide programmes such as Center, City and Radio 1 are using this Multiplex.
MUX SLO DAB+ R2 was launched in October 2020. Unlike R1, R2 is regionally divided into one Multiplex covering Eastern Slovenia (using 12B) and one for the Western parts (using 12C). Both MUX contain semi-local and regional programmes both from RTV Slovenija and private stations. For R2 East those are for example Radio Maribor, MMR and local private stations from Maribor and Celje area. R2 West contains Radio Koper and Radio Capodistria from RTV Slovenija and local stations from Central and Western Slovenia. 12B is being transmitted from stations such as Plešivec and Pohorje, meanwhile 12C from stations such as Beli Križ, Nanos, Kuk or Krvavec.
MUX SLO DAB+ R3 is operating only in the area around Ljubljana as a City-MUX (SLO DAB+ R3) being transmitted from Ljubljana-Šance. There are some local radio stations on this MUX.
In 2025, the MUX SLO DAB+ R4 and MUX SLO DAB+ R5 have been activated, R5 was deactivated after tests. R4 is currently also in running in test mode, but is using most of the transmitter locations that uses also R1. Currently it hosts up to 15 stations. It uses mostly 5D in the East, and 6C in the West.
For the current composition of MUX please look here: https://digitalbroadcasting.org/?channel=dab and for which transmitter send what MUX this website https://www.rtvslo.si/oz/oddajniki/dab
RTV Slovenija also offers a map of transmitters: https://www.rtvslo.si/oz/oddajniki/dab
Italy
In Italy, DAB is more and more getting expanded with now many minor transmitters being activated. More and more locations have at least one MUX, the areas of big cities usually now both nation-wide and regional MUX. There are three nation-wide operators (in Northeast mostly: 7C – RAI DAB, 7D – DAB Italia, 9A – EuroDAB)
The nation-wide operators that can be received in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto are EuroDAB as a consortium of nationwide radio stations such as RTL 102.5, Radio Kiss Kiss, Radio 105, Radio Italia. It now operates mostly on 9A in the North-East. DAB Italia (former Club DAB), currently in the region mostly on 7D, is another nationwide consortium uniting in a MUX radio programmes from Elemedia group (Deejay, m2o, m2o Dance, Capital), Radio 24, or R101. 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. DAB Italia has activated recently transmitters in Trieste, Gorizia, Tarvisio and Tolmezzo in the North. EuroDAB is still not present in Trieste or Gorizia, covering only Udine with the location from Faedis/Pedrosa.
RAI (public broadcasting operator) is broadcasting DAB+ from the position of Monte Venda (transmitter pictures) and Belluno/Col Visentin one MUX on 7C (former 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 has activated a new position at Trieste/Monte Belvedere covering now Trieste with all programmes of RAI also via DAB+, always on 7C.
There are two regional MUX/Multiplex currently broadcasing for Friuli Venezia Giulia: Friuli Venezia Giulia DAB on 9B and goDAB on 9D. Each region in Italy has coordinated 3 to 5 regional MUX that can be filled with local and regional programmes, but not with nationwide ones. There is currently a third regional MUX coordinated (for 12A), but there are no plans yet to activate it.
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 end of 2025. Since summer 2025, go DAB has activated as well a transmitter on Monte Santo di Lussari to cover the area around Tarvisio, Valle Canale.
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. Recently, also regional MUX have expanded activating more and more locations: goDAB Veneto is using currently 5D, Veneto DAB 8D, Radio Digitale Veneto on 12D. Two more regional MUX can be activated in case of interest: One for 8C and 5A.
To see the composition of each MUX in Italy please check this website: https://www.litaliaindigitale.it/radio-dab/
Croatia
The networking company OIV operates one MUX on 11D from the transmitter location Sljeme for Zagreb and surroundings, Učka for Istria and Rijeka, Ivanšćica for the Northern part of the country as well as on further locations in the Eastern part of the country. Some also transmit on 11C and 11D. The MUX contains the programmes from HRT (public broadcasting company) and some private stations.
For Croatia, there is a map of OIV with currently activated locations: https://oiv.hr/hr/usluge-i-platforme/oiv-dabplus-digital-radio/karta-odasiljaca-dabplus-radija/
Useful information/websites:
DAB+ in Central Carinthia
This section gives an overview of what can be received in Central Carinthia (Villach and surrounding areas/valleys). Due to the geographical situation, there are huge differences in every location, what can be received in one place can be lower in another one. In general, the currently 3 Austrian Multiplexs can be received very well, both indoor and outdoor. All other programmes are hard to catch inside of houses and even outdoor they are not available in all locations. Good locations in the area of Villach are usually on hills/higher spots with no mountains/hills blocking the view towards South.
MUX in Central Carinthia
The table lists all MUX that can be currently received using simple technology (DAB+ radio with integrated antena), in the city centre of Villach there is limited availability of the programmes from Italy and Slovenia, east and north of the city, on hills and towards Klagenfurt, there are better conditions to catch most of the shown MUX. The table shows conditions for areas in general up to 800 metres indicating also some MUX that can be only received on high peaks (more than 1.500-2.000 m altitude).
| Channel | Name | Country | Position | Signal | Comments |
| 5A | SLO DAB+ R4 | SLO | Plešivec (Uršlja Gora) / Krvavec / Kranjska Gora | ++ | |
| 6A | DAB+ Austria | AT | Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch | ++++ | |
| 6B | DAB+ MUX 3-StBK | AT | Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch | ++++ | |
| 6D | DAB+ MUX 2-StBK | AT | Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch | ++++ | |
| 7C | RAI DAB+ | IT | Monte Venda (Padova) / Bologna/Colle Barbiano | only on higher peaks/mountains | |
| 7D | DAB Italia | IT | Tarvisio/Monte Santo di Lussari | ++ | can be received in many spots in Central & Lower Carinthia |
| 7D | SLO DAB+ R3 Mux | SLO | Ljubljana 3-Šance | + | in some spots |
| 8A | DAB+ Austria | AT | Graz 1/Schöckl | in some spots | |
| 9A | EuroDAB Italia | IT | Bologna or Rimini area (several positions) | only on higher peaks/mountains | |
| 9B | go DAB FVG | IT | Tarvisio/Monte Santo di Lussari | + | only in some spots due to low power used, mainly in Central Carinthia |
| 10D | SLO DAB+ R1 Mux | SLO | Krvavec / Kranjska Gora-Brgovi | ++ | |
| 12B | SLO DAB+ R2 E Mux | SLO | Plešivec (Uršlja Gora) | ++ |
Signal strength:
- ++++ = easy to receive with any device in all areas indoor
- +++ = good coverage, to receive with all devices in almost all areas indoor, otherwise just outdoor
- ++ = signal can be received only in some areas, especially on hills, mostly outdoor
- + = signal can be received in spots, especially on exposed locations, only outdoor
- = signal only on high peaks in some spots
Remarks: What can be received on DAB+ in the area of north of Villach
The main location of this website is located north of the city centre within the city limit, but approximately 80-100 m above the valley. Currently, with normal radio including antena, the three Austrian MUX can be received with no problem and even indoor.
Getting DAB+ from Italy is already more difficult: 7D DAB Italia can be received well outdoor almost everywhere (with exception of the western part of the city). The station is active since autumn 2025 transmitting from Monte Lussari near Tarvisio (approx. 25 km) with approximately 500 Watt. 9B goDAB FVG is more tricky to catch: In general, it can be received in spots above 600 m altitude, on hills open to south and in areas with direct visibility of the transmitter location on Monte Lussari. Currently, the transmitter is sending horizontal using only 50 Watt.
MUX from Slovenia are much easier to catch: SLO DAB+ R1 on 10D is already active for many years and the coverage within Slovenia was improved step-by-step by activating new transmitters. For Central Carinthia, there are three locations that mostly cover the area: Plešivec (Uršlja Gora) as the main provider, followed by Krvavec and Kranjska Gora. Since the activation of SLO DAB+ R4 on 5A the MUX has similar signal quality than 10D, sometimes at spots (like in North of Villach) even a bit better. It uses the same transmitter locations. SLO DAB+ R2 East on 12B has similiar coverage. In general, as for Italian MUX, hills open to south are the best to catch these MUXs.
Croatia can be only received in some areas, mostly on altitudes of more than 800 metres and there only on peaks or spots with clear and open visibility towards South and Southeast.
DAB+ in Trieste & province
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 MUXs from Slovenia.
Current MUX available in the city:
| Channel | Name | Country | Position | Signal | Comments |
| 6C | SLO DAB+ R4 | SLO | Tinjan | +++ | currently (March 2025) only two programmes, further extension planned |
| 6D | SLO DAB+ R5 | SLO | Tinjan | +++ | currently (March 2025) only two programmes, further extension planned |
| 7C | RAI DAB | IT | Trieste/Monte Belvedere | ++++ | national MUX with all programmes of RAI |
| 7D | DAB ITALIA | IT | Trieste/Monte Belvedere Muggia/Strada per Chiampore |
++++ | national bouquet with nation-wide stations |
| 9A | EuroDAB | IT | Faedis/Pedrosa (UD) Romano d’Ezzelino/Monte Grappa (VI) |
+ | |
| 9B | go DAB | IT | Trieste/Monte Belvedere | lregional MUX, activation planned December 2025 |
|
| 9D | FVG DAB | IT | Trieste/Monte Belvedere est | ++++ | local bouquet of Friuli Venezia Giulia |
| 10D | SLO DAB+ R1 | SLO | Tinjan | +++ | main national MUX of Slovenia |
| 11D | OIV MUX1 | HR | Učka | ++ | |
| 12C | SLO DAB+ R2 | SLO | Tinjan | +++ | second main national MUX of Slovenia |
Signal strength:
- ++++ = easy to receive with any device in all areas indoor
- +++ = good coverage, to receive with all devices in almost all areas indoor, otherwise just outdoor
- ++ = signal can be received only in some areas, especially on hills, mostly outdoor
- + = signal can be received in spots, especially on exposed locations, only outdoor
- = signal only on high peaks in some spots
Remarks: What can be received on DAB+ in Trieste
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 in 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 MUX using 9B. It will transmit from Monte Belvedere.
In some spots of the city, mostly on higher levels, also DAB+ from Croatia can be received: OIV Croatia from Učka on 11D.
More MUX on the hills around Trieste (Carso/Kras):
As soon as you leave 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.
Carso/Kras around Conconello-Monte Belvedere-Monte Calvo (450 m)
- 8A, EURODAB, Romano d’Ezzelino/Località Costalunga-Monte Lagusella(VI, Veneto), 206 km
- 9A, EURODAB, Faedis/Pedrosa, 64 km
- 10B, RAS 1 DAB, Paganella, 211 km
- 10C, EmiliaRomagna DAB, Bologna, 230 km (now on 9D, so no reception possible anymore)
- 12A, EURODAB, Paganella, 211 km
Monte Lanaro/Volnik (544 m)
- 5D, goDAB Veneto, Monte Grappa or Belluno/Col Visentin (VI, Veneto), 206 km
- 8A, EURODAB, Romano d’Ezzelino/Monte Grappa (VI, Veneto), 206 km
- 8D, VenetoDAB, Belluno/Col Visentin (TV, Veneto), 170 km
- 9A, EuroDAB, Faedis/Pedrosa (UD, FVG), 64 km
- 8C, Nordest DAB, Veneto
- 11D, OIV Croatia MUX1, Učka (HR)