AM (Amplitude Modulation): In the UK, domestic AM broadcasts are divided into LW (Long Wave) which occupies the frequency range between 150 and 285 kHz and MW (Medium Wave) which occupies the frequency range between 531 and 1620 kHz. Usually tuners which claim "AM" coverage just cover the MW band, whereas those that cover both MW and LW bands state this specifically.

Bandwidth control: In today's crowded airwaves, signals often suffer interference from other stations close by on the dial - especially in areas between cities. The bandwidth control offers a choice of "wide" which gives the best sound quality and "narrow" which can eliminate interference from adjacent transmissions.

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting): A digital broadcasting system which can offer high quality audio, a huge choice of new and existing stations and can eliminate the noise or interference which traditional analogue broadcasts suffer from. Other services include RDI which outputs data from your tuner to your PC - this could be transcripts of broadcasts, the latest news - pretty much anything that broadcasters wish to offer. Most popular broadcasters are available via DAB, plus a range of new niche, local and national services.

Useful links: Coverage map | UK Digital Radio | BBC DAB page

Direct frequency input: Handy if you know the frequency of a broadcast and want to tune directly in - simply tap in the numbers on the tuner's keypad.

FM (Frequency Modulation): In the UK, domestic FM broadcasts occupy a frequency range between 87.5 and 108MHz. FM transmissions are of a higher quality than other analogue services. They offer stereo sound, hifi sound quality and do not suffer from some of the noise that afflicts AM reception. Many of the most popular broadcasters are available via FM reception.

LW (Long Wave): Occupies the frequency range between 150 and 285 kHz. There are few services available in this band: BBC Radio 4 long wave which mostly mirrors the Radio 4 FM transmissions but occasionally contains unique programming, is one such service. Because of the long wave length, LW signals can travel great distances and so, although lower in fidelity, it is still a useful resource for those off the UK coast who are unable to clearly receive the equivalent, higher-fidelity services.

Manual tuning knob: A handy ergonomic feature that enables easier tuning than "up" and "down" buttons - a rotary tuning control.

MW (Medium Wave): Occupies the frequency range between 531 and 1620 kHz.

Presets: Presets allow storage of your favourite stations in the memory of your tuner. Then you can recall them easily, without having to retune every time or remember the frequency.

R.D.S. Radio Data System: Imagine a system of teletext for radio. R.D.S. tuners give extra information about FM broadcasts including: station naming, radio text (which stations can use to label individual tracks or let you know which programme is on), correct time, traffic announcement (which will interrupt a national broadcast with a local programmes traffic report) and more.

PTY = Programme type (e.g. Classic, Pop, Rock, News, Current Affairs, Sports), CT = Clock time, PS = Programme Service (e.g. BBC Radio 4, Virgin), EON = Enhanced Other Networks (including TA = Traffic Announcement), RT = Radio Text

For more information about RDS, click here.

Remote sensor: Built in to many tuners, this feature enables the use of a system remote handset from the same brand to control tuner functions. So for example, if you had a Denon amplifier which came with a system remote control, you would be able to use the handset to control a Denon tuner if it had a remote sensor built in.