LOS ANGELES — In our e-newsletter,
we cover all manner of digital transmissions of radio, including
streaming/mobile, HD Radio, DAB and, though not as frequently, the other digital
radio standard known as Digital Radio Mondiale. Let’s get caught up on the DRM
news front.
At the annual meeting of the
National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, the topic of DRM receivers
was of great importance:
- Jerome Hirigoyen spoke about three different receiver types: a portable, a dongle and a shipboard unit. A prototype of one of the solutions was available for inspection.
- George Ross of Transworld Radio shared information on the current status of the PantronX Titus II receiver. He believes production units of this Android tablet-based solution available within a couple of weeks.
- The Gospell GR-216 table top receiver was also mentioned.
Of interest in the U.S. is the
recent application of Turms Tech LLC
to broadcast DRM from New Jersey toward Europe and the Middle East.
Specifically, they plan on using the Armstrong tower, just west and north of New
York City, with yagi-type antennas, generating an ERP of 10 kW on 9.65 and 15.45
MHz.
From DRM news we
learn that during May and June of 2017, experimental DRM transmissions were
resumed by Brazilian Public Broadcaster (EBC) from the Rodeador Park, where the
Rádio Nacional transmission facility is located. Different antennas and
frequencies were tested, and reception reports from places more than 1000km away
were received. The transmissions are being carried by Brazilian Digital Radio
Association (ABRADIG) in partnership with EBC. The intention of these low power
transmissions is to raise awareness of the DRM digital radio system for the
broadcasters and the new government towards its adoption as a national standard
and to enable permanent high-power DRM transmissions from EBC.
In a recent posting
in our newsletter, we described a DRM test carried out on Batam island, adjacent
to Singapore. More details of the test are now forthcoming. The existing FM
transmitter is on 105.1 MHz and DRM was placed at 105.25 MHz. The current analog
transmitter chosen for the demo has a power of 5kW, but 2.5 kW was used for
simulcast mode (FM and DRM) with only 0.2KW of DRM power.
The DRM signal power was thus 11
dB below the analog FM. The mode used was DRM Mode E (DRM+), 4 QAM and the
protection level PL-1. The content available during the demo was 2 audio
services (16 kbit and 17.7 kbit/s) and Journaline service. For mobile reception,
the predicted coverage area was calculated to be within 40 dBuV/m contour.
“Both the indoor and
mobile reception were excellent and no interference was noted to the neighboring
FM stations at 105.1MHz and 105.5 MHz,” according to DRM
news.
http://www.radiomagonline.com/around-the-world/0020/armstrong-tower-could-be-test-site-for-drm-on-shortwave-bands/38988