DRM tests from TWR and PCJ

Both of these are long-shots but might be fun to try and DX...

Trans World Radio is running a test on 11825 kHz
(300 kW) from Yerevan at 1330-1530 UTC on Saturday 28th Sept.

PCJ will run a test on October 13, 2013 on 15645khz targeting South East Asia/East Asia.

As always, report attempts to copy via the DRMNA Yahoo group. I'm just glad to see some new action via DRM!

New implementation guide and xHE-AAC codec added

The Consortium has released a new implementation guide available here in PDF.

In addition to the updated guide, the DRM standard has gotten even better with the addition of  xHE-AAC compatibility from Fraunhofer. E(x)tended HE-AAC "improves significantly the audio quality of music and speech particularly at very low bit rates of 8 kbit/s and more, and is compatible with HE-AAC streams." Don't just take their word for it, listen to the audio on this short slide presentation.

From what I hear, this is an amazing improvement and may help robustness through stations being able to reduce audio data payload. I'd love to see someone do a side-by-side comparison with AAC+ at similar bitrates. The 12k example would appear to rival what we now hear via AAC+ at about 20k!

North American AM Revitalization? Pig in a Poke!

Radioworld's September 1st issue features an article about AM and sustainability and revitalization. What articles like this one don't seem to indicate is the real "dollars to donuts" stats the industry (and the people of the USA) need to decide if HD is right for AM's digital conversion. The fact is, NAB and FCC are sold-out to iBiquity in such a way that we are unlikely to ever get real stats on how HD (IBOC) from iBiquity works on AM (particularly nighttime sky-wave) or if it is even in the ballpark compared to the more-than-proven DRM30 protocol.

I find it sad that AM broadcasters are sinking into the mire of outdated regulations while a single for-profit company has the "permitted mode" locked down strictly for it's own financial gain. Let me make myself clear - the market (as in Capitalist) needs competition to function properly. An open standard like DRM30 is needed at least as far as it can be compared to the existing iBiquity HD (IBOC) format in terms of what will work best in North America as MW BC alternative to AM.

Until DRM30 is given a fair chance at showing its prowess in nighttime sky-wave conditions, the North American radio industry is being sold a "pig in a poke" with the existing iBiquity HD (IBOC) solution.

I really feel like a voice crying in the wilderness here, and what's worse is I feel like (nearly) the only voice? Where is the outrage? NAB and iBiquity won't even release their own technical findings about all-digital on MW BC? Whass'up with that? Help me here people! Write the FCC and tell them we want DRM30 as an option for AM/MW BC!