South Africa Takes Positive Step Towards Creating Radio Digitisation Framework
Following from the publication of its policy on sound broadcasting digitisation in July, the South African regulator has worked hard and just published draft regulations on how this policy can become reality. Read more
ETSI and DRM
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has recently published two specifications for Digital Radio Mondiale. Read more
Pure DRM Broadcast Hours Extended in India
All India Radio (AIR) has extended its pure DRM transmissions on 4 key DRM mediumwave transmitters. Read more
Gospell DRM Receiver Cooperates with Distributor in India
In order to provide Indian consumers with better services and more convenient purchasing channels, Gospell (Gospell Digital Technology Co., Ltd) and Antriskh (Antriksh Digital Solution LLP) of India have reached a cooperation agreement on the sales of DRM digital radio products in the Indian market. Read more
Radio Marti Back on Air
Radio Marti which broadcasts in Spanish to Cuba has resumed its shortwave DRM transmissions with a schedule daily, 7345 kHz, 1700 – 0200 UTC. Radio Marti is one of the stations administered by the USAGM.
In a podcast, Gerhard Straub of the USAGM, discusses the coordination of the US Government’s shortwave networks. More here
Challenges of Analogue and Digital Broadcasting on Shortwave
Shortwave knows no boundaries or international borders and despite its apparent decline over recent years, it continues to provide a lifeline service for audiences over large areas or in remote corners of the planet and territories where free access to news, information or education is tightly controlled. Now “digital shortwave” in the form of Digital Radio Mondiale, DRM, is here (and not just on the shortwave bands!). But what are the challenges of broadcasting on the traditional “AM” wavebands? Neale Bateman, representing Encompass Media Services on the DRM Steering Board, offers us more explanation. Read more
We would like to thank Neale for his great support and contribution to the worldwide DRM project. His expertise and knowledge are invaluable and as Consultant Broadcast Engineer NEALE BATEMAN will remain close to the DRM Consortium. All our members thank him for his hard work and wish him luck in the next chapter of his professional life.
Blog: Who’s Afraid of DRM?
Following months of consultation on the revitalisation of the mediumwave band in the US by the FCC, the Commission gave the green light for broadcasters to broadcast all digital in HD. The Commission also noted the interest by some broadcasters in “alternative technologies” (i.e. DRM), which, after further tests, could be considered. Using the opportunity offered by the FCC in their statement, Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair writes in Radio World that DRM is ready to prove its advantages. DRM an ITU recommended standard for mediumwave, has been tested and documented about two decades ago. Read more
More here on the FCC ruling.
Celebrating 100 Years of Commercial Broadcasting
Commercial radio started in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) almost by chance when Frank Conrad needed to play music between voice announcements. Eventually Frank ran out of music records he was buying from a local store. The store owner proposed to supply Frank with records for free, but he wanted the name of his store to be mentioned each time a record was played on the radio. A quid pro quo arrangement took place and this marked the very beginning of commercial broadcasting.
You will find the following link (albeit 3.5h long) interesting and entertaining. We learned that the term "broadcasting" was borrowed from farming. Seeds are "broadcast" over the fields. Now we broadcast data in lieu of seeds. Read more
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