KTWR Guam DRM Test - 24/25 May

KTWR, Guam is planning a DRM test to Japan for May 24th and 25th. It will be on 15570 at 1230-1300 UT. 

The language will be Japanese. While we are really hoping that Japanese SWLs and radio clubs get involved in this test, reports on the side and back lobes would also be appreciated. 

We will be beaming at a heading of 335 degrees. We will be running 75 kW, so that Japanese listeners in Russia and the EU can tune in as well. 

We should have good side lobes into Southeast Asia and possibly India. The main beam should be quite strong in Europe. The main back lobe will be toward NZ .

(Mike Sabin, KTWR, May NZ DX Times via DXLD)

...Via Alokesh

Radio Australia joins the Radiogram Fun!

From the VOA Radiogram site of Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott

For the first time, Radio Australia will broadcast digital text and images. This will be Saturday 18 May and Sunday 19 May 2013.


UTC               Frequency (kHz)   Target
0830-0835      7410 & 11945        south-west Pacific
1230-1235      9580 & 12095        south Pacific

As is characteristic of shortwave, reception outside the nominal target areas is likely.
Each five-minute broadcast will include:

  :34 RA tuning signal (still Waltzing Matilda?)
  :05 Tone 1500 Hz
1:42 MFSK16 text
1:42 MFSK32 text
  :55 MFSK32 image

All modes are centered on 1500 Hz. The Radio Australia digital transmissions can be received on any shortwave, even if it does not have single sideband capability. Patch audio from the radio to a personal computer, and use software to decode the modes. For more information, see how to decode the modes.

Schaa says "Opus codec for DRM"

Update 20130512: Rafael - our man about town in Brasil - indicates that the newest version of DReaM software supports Opus codec! Now for the addition of Codec2 and some hardcore experimenting! I'd love to see one of our favorite International broadcasters and super-power outlets experiment with DX and multiplex using these new, highly effective/efficient codecs.

Update 20121024: Read this Opus (CELT) proposal for DRM by Michael Feilen. Michael also added some clarification on rights and pricing of AAC+ via the DRMNA Yahoo Group. Read his post here.

Our friend Stephan Schaa (of HCJB Global Germany and Pappradio fame) wrote to the DRMNA Yahoo Group this morning..." 

Adding Opus as a free codec to the DRM System would give many benefits: At the moment you have to pay royalties for the use of the "better" codecs AAC+ for example. This has to be done if you produce receivers (for less than 1000 it's free, maybe this is the reason that the number of units for DRM Receivers are so small everytime), but the "bigger money" is made on the encoder side: about $4000 (or more) have to be paid to dolby if you want to use AAC+. If - for example - Brasil would opt to the DRM System and insists on a opus as free codec, I think this would be a good idea..." 

DRM A13 schedule from Alokesh!

Here is a PDF of A13 DRM schedule courtesy of our "DRM Brother" Alokesh Gupta.

Playback DRM recordings from the Newstar DR111 on your PC

The Newstar DR111 allows you to record DRM recordings on an SD card. It uses the Multiplex Distribution Interface (MDI) protocol. While I log reception (you can find out how to do that here) I also record the programs. This is particularly helpful overnight. For me this is nearly always RNZI. They have some great overnight music programs on the weekends. 

The Newstar DR111 allows you to replay these files on the receiver. This is nice, but the best part is that it allows you to archive the audio and convert it for other uses! Visit the CDNSE Newstar DR111 page for the how-to (choose the DR111 Blog tab) or look at this convenient PDF of the directions.

At the point you are setup to do this, you can go into DReaM's Evaluation Dialogue and "save audio as wav" if you want something to play on your portable audio player or mobile. It will make a WAV file which is quite large. It does so in real time as well. Perhaps someone will write a program to expedite this conversion and output in a format more conducive to mobiles.

Unrelated to this topic, but worth mentioning, I located a very nice Melchor Switching Regulator PSR-53-7. I am now running the Newstar DR111 from my always float-charged 12V back-up battery.
Voltage in to the regulator is about 14V and output is a cool 5.11V. I think this is overkill for my application, but it works well where other voltage regulators I have used have been problematic. I'll likely put a cigarette lighter plug on this one, for automobile use.