Affordable DRM receiver to be made in India

 

From the DRM Consortium website: 

Solar Grove Solutions a leading innovator in consumer electronics based in Florida, USA, known for making accessible devices, has just announced the commencement of manufacturing its All-Band (MW, SW, VHF – FM) Analog and Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) receiver model N88 in India. This is a significant step towards delivering cutting-edge technology at accessible prices to a global audience.

The N88 is developed in close collaboration with CML Microcircuits (UK) Ltd, renowned for their expertise in mixed-signal integrated circuits, and Alongside Tech, LLC (USA) that is providing design and application development. Douglas Gregson from Alongside Tech, a recent member of the DRM consortium, says that “this revolutionary radio boasts four key, game-changing differentiating features. They are: small size, low power consumption, as N88 it extends the 3x AA battery life, low cost and seamless integration with a dedicated Android app opening the way to data applications and additional features.

“We are incredibly excited to bring this innovative DRM radio to market, manufactured right here in India,” said Mr. Templeton, CEO of Solar Grove Solutions. “This project is a testament to the power of international collaboration, combining the expertise of CML Microcircuits and Alongside Tech with Solar Grove Solutions’ commitment to delivering exceptional products at accessible prices. Our partnership with Shemish Grove Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., our affiliated company in India, has been instrumental in making this vision a reality.”

For the DRM chairman N88 is “the kind of product made in India for Indians. It is thus fulfilling the DRM Consortium vision of offering a new kind of digital radio services at affordable prices, in line with the policy, ambition and tastes of each individual country adopting DRM.”

BritAsia pop-up broadcast for India

Several DRM aficionados in China are receiving a BritAsia broadcast on 21575 kHz. It is being identified as "BritAsia pop up DRM service for India". Reports suggest a strong signal in China of SNR 25dB at 14:20UTC on 9 Oct 2024. From the DRM ID E1C123, this is likely originating from Woofferton.

New StarWaves DRM receiver spotted

No info beyond what is here. We reported awhile back that there would be some StarWaves product to come. This one may hit the magic USD 50 mark at some point. Time will tell!

Hope springs eternal with DRM receivers

Please take a look at this slideshow showcasing the progress being made on the DRM standalone receiver front. A few new ones here that look interesting. Particularly interesting to see Korean manufactures back in the game. I think that marks a first since the demise of MSWay 9 years ago.

KTWR DRM VOACAP plots

KTWR is planning an RF party and Asia is invited! Take a look at these VOACAP plots posted by KTWR and you can post your reception details here. I'm anxious for my 日本人 friends to give their reports. Please post to DRMNA Yahoo group also.

This plot shows the "blistered paint" expected in South East Asia. I can confirm KTWR in analogue has killer signals in Viet Nam. Let's hope folks are monitoring in India where DRM is the native digital standard for audio broadcasting.

Look how cool this is! KTWR will use different parameters with their DRM broadcasts so they can determine what works best. DRMNA loves KTWR :-)

Receiver demonstrations at DBS 2019

Here we see a quick demo and information shared by Alexander Zink of the DRM Consortium at this week's ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium held in Kuala Lumpur. He describes that the Gospell GR-216 is using the NXP automobile chipset. We see and hear the Titus II but without further details. Still waiting!

More receiver details from BES 2019

All presented by a smiling Mr. Alexander Zink, VP of the DRM Consortium.

Thanks to Brother Alokesh for the tip about this video!

New DRM standalone receiver at BES?

I have been given an anonymous tip that there will be a new receiver unveiled at BES 2019 in India. Inntot Technologies is an Indian company. This appears to be another SDR with DRM decoding capability. I am hopeful we will get some details from attendees.

It would be cool if this one pushes the price-point down. India and China are the markets to watch! I'll be hunting around for an interview opportunity with these guys.

More great DRM news from Asia

Several fine bits of news...

WINB reports via Twitter: "CNR 6030 DRM service is now 24 hours." 

and Brother Alokesh reports:

"All India Radio, Bangalore has re-commissioned its 500 KW DRM SW transmitter with effect from 3rd August, 2018. DRM transmissions were off air since 27th Feb 2017 as the main tube failed.

Tentative schedule in DRM mode :

European Beam at 320 deg

1820-2230 UTC (2350-0400 IST) - 7550 kHz (Hindi/English)

Japanese beam at 90 deg

2245-0045 UTC (0415-0615 IST) - 7550 kHz (Hindi/English)

Please monitor & post your reception reports to :

rajendiran45@yahoo.com   and spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Noted on air with 2 programs ( GOS - IV  & Vividh Bharati) during check at

1840 UTC, 4th August, 2018."

Following up to some previous posts, Dr. Elliott sent this DRM decode audio via Hebei SDR of the CNR DRM program audio from a day or so ago. See previous post on this topic.

New ebook - Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward

Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward: A New eBook from Radio World International is now available.

How has the Digital Radio Mondiale digital radio standard progressed over the years, and what are its prospects? With recent major installations taking place in India and Hungary and a number of trials going on worldwide, broadcasters are increasingly learning how to best implement this digital radio technology. The latest Radio World International eBook, “Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward,” sponsored by the Digital Radio Mondiale consortium, explores DRM’s various applications, worldwide developments, technical challenges, receiver status, and more.

Learn more in the latest Radio World International eBook. Read it free
now — click here!

DRM car radio in India

Watch this video. I want one!

I hear a little drop-out, but the audio is nice and the display is clean and simple for a dashboard. I have no details about the unit or specs yet, but will post some when I have them.

Looks like Ruxandra (DRM Consortium Chair) is the passenger. From what I can tell, this was taken recently at BES (early February 2016) in New Delhi.

Here is to hoping India's roll-out has the ability to break-free the hardware situation for DRM.

UPDATE: 20160223 - DRMNA reader Oliver in Brittany, France writes:

"If it may help, the car with the integrated DRM receiver is the new TUV300 from MAHINDRA
launched september-october 2015 (with AM/FM only for the moment).

Sorry, don't know which is the unit manufacturer (Panasonic ? as they work close with NXP on the SAF360x chip).

Some links :
http://www.radioandmusic.com/biz/mobile-digital/digital-radio/151008-drm-receiver-installed-first-time-indian

detail of the receiver  (same as on the video !) : 
https://images2.cardekho.com/images/expertreviewseditor/large/mahindra-tuv-3oo/20160218_180030/mahindra-tuv-3oo0.jpg

lot of photos of this car : https://www.cardekho.com/carmodels/Mahindra/Mahindra_TUV_300
the same on the photo on the DRM Twitter  page... : https://twitter.com/drmdigitalradio

http://www.radioworld.com/article/indias-cars-to-get-drm-receiver-chip/278076

Best regards from Brittany (France) where a new AM radio (Bretagne 5 on 1593 khz, which means Brittany 5) tries to convince the french regulator to authorize them to transmit in DRM mode, and to ad the DRM norm along the DAB+...

Merci Oliver! We greatly appreciate the details.

NASB 2016 in Nashville!

Details are up and developing! Check here.

Suffice it to say, DRM will be featured prominently and your DRMNA Admin will have some updates on the pending DRM migration going on now in India.

Sponsors this year are our friends at KNLS and WWCR.

DRM Continues to Expand Across India

Here is a brief piece in Radio World about DRM's continued expansion in India. Anyone tried the new Avion AV-DR-1401 mentioned in the article? Care to contribute a review to DRMNA, if so?

Avion receiver in use at IBC 2015 in Amsterdam

This video tells the story! Now, when do the rest of us get our hands on one? The BBC broadcast via Babcock seen/heard on the video sounds great. Will this "Made in India" receiver be the tipping-point for DRM worldwide? We shall see and we can hope.

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!

Avion DRM Receiver available NOW!

20150810 18:00UTC UPDATE: Now showing as unavailable...

 The Avion AV-DR-1401 DRM reciever is available now on Amazon in India. Price comes in at 15,000 Rupees (I think), which is a scale-tipping $235 USD! Is that right? Specs say:

• India's 1st Digital Radio DRM receiver AV-DR-1401
• supprts xHE-AAC code, DRM text messages, Scrolling messages, Service mode , AFS (Alternate Frequency Switching)
• 10 hour power back on single charge, 3.7V @6000mAh Li-Pol battery (Lead Free)
• 3.5" TFT LCD capable of rendering more than 1,000,000 colors, DRM Emergency Warning alerts ( even if the radio is OFF) 
• Digital Audio output, Journaline data, Program recording , EPG (Electronic Program Guide),MOT Slide show

Let's all hope performance meets expectations. I for one am looking for good news about this receiver. India is ready AND it has been a long time coming. I'll gladly review this unit, if I can get my paws on one. Thanks to my anonymous source for the tip!

DRM developments at NASB 2015 in Washington DC

I have just returned from an excellent two days at NASB 2015 in Washington DC, hosted by RFA with on-site host Al "A.J." Janitschek . 

I was pleasantly surprised by the volume of DRM30 discussion this year. North American shortwave broadcasters are ready for DRM!




It was the 25th annual meeting of the NASB so Continental helped us celebrate with cake!

Specifically, there were three talks that featured DRM prominently. Below are just a few of the overall conference highlights:

Lauren Libby, President of TWR gave an impassioned plea for DRM receivers and for us to look to DRM for the future of international shortwave broadcasting. TWR trialed a DRM feature to Japan on KTWR Guam where they received a positive response from Japanese enthusiasts. 

On Friday, Cal Carter of Continental Electronics presented updates from the DRM consortium including the current status of the large scale Indian initiative as well as positive momentum in the Asia-Pacific region, Brazil and Southern Africa.

Of course, I took a crack at sharing the excitement by presenting my experience as a listener and logger. I enjoyed showing examples and playing audio from the user's perspective. I explained and demonstrated the strengths of DRM using Terje's DRM-Log Plotter software. My slides here and the audio clip here. I presented a reception time-capsule video at NASB 2014 which you can view here. Thanks to Terje for the great DRM-Log Plotter handout.

Here is a music sample from RNZI, recorded via DRM at my home in Oregon. That is about 7000 miles from their 25kW transmitter and received on my Newstar DR111 using an alligator clip-lead to a basement drain pipe as an antenna. Isn't DRM amazing?

We were very fortunate to have Jerome Hirigoyen in attendance from TDF. Their site in Issoudun, France currently has 2 high-power DRM transmitters in operation.

Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott presented VOA Radiogram and encouraged broadcasters to participate in the Radiogram initiative. VOA Radiogram is a weekly program whereby textual news with images can be transmitted on traditional, unmodified shortwave transmitters and likewise received using off-the-shelf, unmodified shortwave radios.

Gerhard Straub from IBB gave a worldwide update about their broadcast sites. Gerhard also indicated there will be an RFP out soon to develop an end-user app for decoding VOA Radiogram on smartphones and tablets. More info to follow on this exciting development!





During the NASB business meeting, the conversation got very interesting. A significant number of the broadcaster members showed interest in using DRM (sooner rather than later) and working together to make affordable receivers (USD 50 or under) available. This conversation was augmented by audience members including Ludo Maes from Broadcast Belgium and his extensive DRM knowledge. I was really excited to finally get to meet him, having enjoyed years of his work with TDP Radio and The Disco Palace on DRM.

I'm sure that attendees will agree, this was an enjoyable and informative gathering. For me the opportunity to "talk shop" with shortwave broadcasters and enthusiasts is unsurpassed. To those I met for the first time and for those I have known, it was my great pleasure to be in attendance.

As I flew home, I snapped this gorgeous view of Mt. Hood near Portland, Oregon. It was a perfect way to sum up my trip - "the sky is the limit" for DRM in North America. I would like to thank the NASB, RFA and all those in attendance for making this such a great conference. Special thanks go to Dr. Elliott for serving as my local host. It made my trip even better!

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!

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.