Radio Free Asia tests DRM to China

 

@MohanNataraja16 on Twitter (X) received Radio Free Asia (RFA) DRM test broadcast in Mandarin on 11700 khz in London, UK on June 11, 2024 at 2100 UTC.

No further information is known about the test and it is unknown from where it was broadcast. RFA is operated by the US government and "...provide(s) independent, uncensored and accurate local news to a weekly audience of nearly 60 million who lack access to a free press or live in media environments vulnerable to authoritarian disinformation."

@atake on Twitter (X) has also confirmed this broadcast received in Nagoya, Japan.

Based on KiwiSDR reception, it is likely originating from Kuwait. Before sign-on Arabic music was being played as well.

@alokeshgupta says RFA DRM tests towards China are scheduled from 11 to 16 June 2024 at 2100-2200 UTC on 11700 kHz. Reception reports to qsl@rfa.org

WINB Test Transmissions of Wavescan

"At the present time, the American shortwave station WINB is conducting a lengthy series of test transmissions in the digital DRM mode from its new transmitter at Red Lion in Pennsylvania. According to Hans Johnson, Frequency Manager for WINB, these test transmissions are beamed to Europe and to North Africa.

The AWR international DX program “Wavescan” has been invited to participate in the WINB test transmissions and these special digital broadcasts are scheduled to be on the air during the month of September.  Reception reports on the reception of these DRM broadcasts will be most welcome and they can be addressed to both WINB in Pennsylvania and to the AWR DX program “Wavescan” in Indiana.

The schedule for the broadcasts of “Wavescan” over WINB indicates that this half hour DX program will be on the air twice each week, Monday and Friday, at 1630 UTC on 15670 kHz.  In addition, there will be another broadcast of “Wavescan” during the week in between the Monday and Friday, a Mystery Broadcast, on a day and at a time not announced in advance.

All reception reports addressed to “Wavescan” will be verified with a specially endorsed QSL card, and reception reports of the unannounced in-between Mystery Broadcasts will be honored additionally with a souvenir from AWR in Indiana.  Reception reports indicating reception in the digital DRM mode are preferred, though honest reception reports in the analog mode will also be appreciated.  The analog reports will at least give an indication to WINB of the coverage area of these test transmissions.

Multiple reception reports, each on a different day, will be verified individually with the specially endorsed QSL card.

All of the “Wavescan” broadcasts are scheduled for transmission on 15670 kHz and genuine reception reports from anywhere in the world will be most appreciated..  These may be sent by email, or by postal mail with an address label and return postage if possible.  Remember that IRC Coupons are now no longer valid in the United States.  Remember also that the postal address in Indiana has been “borrowed” temporarily and it is valid only in September and October.

Shortwave radio station WINB is owned and operated by World International broadcasters and it was inaugurated in October 1962 with a 50 kW Continental transmitter Model No 417B.  The original transmitter was rebuilt and taken into service again in 1997.

The international DX program “Wavescan” is a co-operative venture on the part of Adventist World Radio and KSDA Guam, Radio Miami International WRMI in Florida, Voice of Hope KVOH in California and Voice of Hope in Zambia Africa, and World Wide Christian Radio WWCR in Tennessee.  

Please note the following addresses for reception reports on the WINB test broadcasts:-

* By email to WINB: WINB40th@yahoo.com
* By postal mail to WINB: Box 88, Red Lion, Pennsylvania 17356, USA
* By email to “Wavescan”: adrian.m.peterson@gmail.com
* By postal mail to “Wavescan”:

Adventist World Radio
WINB Test Broadcasts
Box 771
Bloomington
Indiana 47402-0771
USA "

[From Adrian Peterson via Alokesh Gupta]

"More CNR DRM Test - 24th July onwards"

Brother Alokesh says "More CNR DRM Test - 24th July onwards"! Great news and stay tuned. I'd love to know his source...

India ramps up International DRM broadcasts

New DRM transmission schedule for All India Radio External Services via Bengaluru with effect from 16 Aug 2015. Note: Two programs are broadcast simultaneously using single frequency in most cases.

• 0315-0415 UTC 15120 kHz (Program 1 : Hindi, Prog 2 : Vividh Bharati) - Towards East Africa/Middle East
• 0415-0430 UTC 15120 kHz (Prog 1 : Gujarati, Prog 2 : Vividh Bharati) - Towards East Africa/Middle East
• 0430-0530 UTC 15120 kHz (Prog 1 : Hindi, Prog 2 : Vividh Bharati) - Towards East Africa/Middle East
• 1000-1100 UTC 17895 kHz English - Towards Australia, NZ
• 1145-1315 UTC 15795 kHz Chinese  - Towards China
• 1215-1330 UTC 15795 kHz (Prog 1: Chinese, Prog 2 : Tibetan) - Towards China
• 1615-1715 UTC 11620 kHz (Prog 1 : Russian ; Prog 2 : Vividh Bharati) - Towards Europe
• 1745-1945 UTC 7550 kHz  (Prog 1 : GOS-IV English, Prog 2) : Vividh Bharati - Towards Europe
• 1945-2045 UTC 7550 kHz  (Prog 1 : Hindi, Prog 2 : French) - Towards Europe
• 2045-2230 UTC 7550 kHz  (Prog 1 : GOS V English, Prog 2 :Vividh Bharati) - Towards Europe
• 2245-0045 UTC 13605 kHz (Prog 1 : GOS I English, Prog 2 : Vividh Bharati) -Towards Europe
  
  The reception reports on technical quality of the transmission on the above frequencies are welcome and may please be sent to Deputy Director General (Spectrum Management & Synergy) by email at : spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Courtesy of Jose Jacob by way of Alokesh

KTWR DRM test to India

20150817 UPDATE:

KTWR Guam
Date : 17th & 18th Aug 2015 (Mon & Tues)
Time : 1445 -1515 UTC (8.15 - 8.45 pm IST)
Power : 90 kW
Language : English
Frequency : 12120 kHz
Azi : 285 Deg (towards North India)

Reception reports to info@twr.asia or submit online at http://www.twr.asia/online-qsl-form

Date : 13th & 14th Aug 2015 (Thu & Fri)
Time : 1445 -1515 UTC (8.15 - 8.45 pm IST)
Power : 90 kW
Language : English
Frequency : 15450 kHz
Azi : 285 Deg (towards North India)

Thanks to Alokesh for the tip!

AIR DRM Test Transmission with multiple programmes

UPDATE 20150422: Terje's reception #drmlog.

"All India Radio will be conducting trial transmission in DRM mode with multiple programmes from SPT Bangalore as per below

Date : 20th April to 30th April, 2015
1745 - 2230 UTC (2315-0400 IST) - 7550 kHz to UK & West Europe. Programme 1 = GOSIV/HINDI/GOS-V, Programme 2 = Vividh Bharati.

Consequently GOS V Service from 2045-2230 UTC (0215 -0400 IST) on 11620 kHz to Aus/NZ will be shifted from DRM mode to analog mode.

Please send your reception reports to spectrum-manager@air.org.in
A special QSL card is available for this DRM test transmission."

thanks to Alokesh Gupta for the tip!

KTWR 2 channel test imminent!

8-9 April at 1000 UTC there will be a 30 minute test broadcast employing two audio channels on 15300 kHz. Details from Shakti Verma via Alokesh Gupta from the Digital Radio Mondiale FB Page.

New Indian DRM set demonstration

Alokesh pointed out this new YouTube video of the Avion AV-DR-1401 in action! Now, when are samples available? This is from MW, but the results seem promising. 

RRI Indonesia tries DRM from Bogor

Here is a PDF about the trial - from the DRM Consortium. It is being conducted in accordance with a DRM30 workshop being held in Jakarta and Bogor on the 24th to the 27th of March. Wish them success! Thanks to brother Alokesh for the tip.

DRM Test by KTWR GUAM to South Asia

DRM Test by KTWR GUAM to South Asia

Date : 23 & 24 Feb 2015
Time : 1445 -1515 UTC
Freq  : 15300 kHz
Power : 90 kW
Azi : 285 deg

Reception reports to info@twr.asia or submit online at
http://www.twr.asia/online-qsl-form

[Thanks Alokesh!]

AIR Bengaluru running 3 audio channels and Journaline

Read the post by Alokesh here. I'm curious about the bitrates. All of this on a big bruiser 500kW RIZ, yielding 170kW. Wouldn't it be great to have such a service for CONUS? C'mon International Broadcasters...throw us a bone!

Up close and personal with the new Indian DRM receiver

Alokesh scoops it! Check out these great new images of the Avion receiver. We hope to hear more about it soon. He notes that this was a rush prototype and may differ from the final unit, due December 2014.

New DRM receiver from CDNSE in 2014?

According to postings from Peter Senger, there will be a new DRM portable available, likely in 2014. The Newstar people (CDNSE) plan to release the DR212. Once again, Mr. Senger is looking for people to pre-order to get the price down.

Here is a PDF of specifications. I have written to CDNSE to see if we can get further details. It is a good looking radio with features similar to the DR111. I'm guessing this unit is their response to the tender from AIR.

Thanks to Alokesh for the heads-up!

UPDATE 20140211: Rafael notes that "DR212 will only get produced if NewStar wins the AIR 800 receivers tender."

Radio Slovakia Simulcast Test

"On Nov 14,15,16 we will test drm/am simulcast 1830-1900 UT for Radio
Slovakia in German 5810 kHz DRM and 5820 kHz AM"

from Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST. Brought to my attention by Alokesh. Thanks!

DRM A13 schedule from Alokesh!

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

DRM logs from Alokesh

As well as tweeting to #drmlog on Twitter, Our friend Alokesh just posted a great set of DRM loggings from his New Delhi QTH. Enjoy! While you are there, enjoy his very nice radio-related blog. I love his theme "RADIOACTIVITY - Reviving the Radio Revolution"!

CVC in Chile Goes Dark

Although I have not heard them for several years, Radio Cristiana cvc la voz from Chile is calling it quits. Once a serious DRM experimenter, Christian Vision cites dropping listener numbers amongst its reasons for ending shortwave broadcasting entirely. More here courtesy of Alokesh.

HCJB plans DRM to India

I'm not sure there will be any broadcasts in DRM to other parts of the globe, but Christian broadcaster HCJB sees India as viable target for DRM listeners.

"DRM will be invaluable for broadcasting to places such as India, a country of 1.2 billion people, where the digital technology has been adopted as the nation's main communication network to the rural masses. "In spite of the giant leap forward of other technologies, shortwave broadcasting still has at least a medium term future in South and Southeast Asia," added Derek Kickbush, program manager for HCJB Global-Australia." 

Complete article at Alokesh Gupta's RADIOACTIVITY.

Newstar DR111 Firmware upgrade on the way!

DRM-Log Plotter output from the Newstar DR111

I have had the privilege of playing with some new DR111 firmware and I say it is GREAT!
Improvements include:

• DRM logging support [ability to use the DRM-Log Plotter software from Terje]
• AM tuning without radio muting
• DRM audio recording [length limited only by SD card size]
• Backlight timer setting [always on, always off, various]
• AGC/DSP improvements to reduce audio pumping during weak signal reception.

As soon as the Firmware gets official distribution, I'll offer more info. I'd like to say that Newstar has been very responsive to our suggestions and the radio gets stronger by the day!

Quick video of the Newstar DR111 portable in India

Once again, our friend Alokesh shows off both DRM and the Newstar DR111.

"Here's a video of reception of AIR VBS 6100 DRM txn using DR111 at Deer Park, Green Park, New Delhi on 15th July during Delhi Hams/SWL's monthly meet. Fantastic reception, its not an open area, covered with trees all over. Portable operation, running with 12V UPS Batt + DC to AC converter."

Thanks Alokesh!