Extend the aerial fully
DAB+ uses Band III (roughly 174–240 MHz). A telescopic aerial pulled out to full length and held vertical makes the single biggest difference indoors.
Digital radio guide
DAB radio in Ireland
DAB+ is digital radio broadcast over the air — no data, no buffering, no subscription. One transmitter carries a bundle of stations (a "multiplex"), and your radio decodes whichever one you pick. In Ireland the national DAB+ multiplex reaches the large majority of the population from a chain of high-site transmitters, and 3FM rides on it nationwide.
Band III
174–240 MHz, vertically polarised
DAB+ codec
HE-AAC v2 — cleaner audio at lower bitrates than old DAB
Nationwide
High sites covering all four provinces
What you need to listen
A DAB+ radio
Any set sold in Ireland in the last decade decodes DAB+. Look for the digital radio tick mark.
A smart speaker
Say 'Play 3FM' on Alexa, Google or Siri — no aerial involved.
A browser
Press play on this site and you're on, anywhere in the world.
Where the signal comes from
Indicative coverage from the main national DAB+ transmitter sites. Terrain matters more than distance — a hill between you and the mast will cut coverage well inside the circles below, while a clear line of sight can reach far beyond them.
Locking signal…
DAB+ Coverage
Hover a coverage zone to see the transmitter serving that area.
| Transmitter site | Main area served | Indicative reach |
|---|---|---|
| Three Rock | Dublin & Leinster | ~55 km |
| Kippure | Wicklow & Midlands | ~55 km |
| Wolftrap Mountain | Laois, Offaly & the Midlands | ~50 km |
| Clermont Carn | Louth, Meath & the North East | ~55 km |
| Mount Leinster | Carlow, Wexford & the South East | ~55 km |
| Spur Hill | Cork City & Harbour | ~30 km |
| Mullaghanish | Cork, Kerry & the South West | ~65 km |
| Woodcock Hill | Limerick, Clare & the Shannon | ~50 km |
| Maghera | Galway & the West | ~55 km |
| Truskmore | Sligo, Mayo & the North West | ~60 km |
| Cairn Hill | Longford & the Midlands | ~55 km |
| Maghercloone | Cavan & Monaghan | ~40 km |
Fixing weak DAB reception
Move towards a window
Thick stone walls, foil-backed insulation and basements all absorb signal. A metre or two closer to a window often turns a stuttering station into a clean one.
Rescan after you move the radio
A DAB radio only lists the multiplexes it found on its last scan. After relocating — or after a new transmitter goes live — run a full autoscan again.
Check the signal-strength screen
Most sets have a signal or info screen. Aim for a steady reading rather than one that dips; DAB+ is all-or-nothing, so a marginal signal drops out rather than hissing like FM.
In the car, mind the aerial
Factory DAB aerials are usually a shark fin or a screen-printed element. Aftermarket sticky-glass aerials work best mounted high on the windscreen with a solid earth.
No DAB set? Stream instead
Every DAB+ station worth hearing also streams. On 3FM you can press play on the site or ask a smart speaker to play 3FM.
Now go find 3FM.
Nationwide on DAB+, on your smart speaker, or straight from this site — the feel good radio station, wherever you are.
Listen live