DRM Delivers Distance Education to The Gambia

Please watch this video. It is from Gambia's QTV with an episode on groundbreaking educational use for DRM. I couldn't figure out how to embed the video so you will have to follow the link.

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!

StarWaves all-in-one DRM module announced

As reported at NASB 2019, a new DRM module (W102) with integrated hard coded baseband decoder will be available from StarWaves.

The module will be suitable for applications such as consumer radios or aftermarket automotive solutions. The module contains a high-quality tuner frontend and audio DAC as well as a digital input for external audio sources e.g. from an external MCU to provide Bluetooth or USB audio.

It measures only 40x40mm and covers all bands from LW, MW, SW to the FM Band (64-108 MHz) in DRM and analogue radio. All data services such as Journaline or MOT Slide Shows can be extracted from the data stream for further processing in the target device. The module can be ordered and will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2019.

DRM Consortium Press Release here.

NASB 2019 - after action report

Once again, DRM was featured prominently at the National Association of Shortwave  broadcasters annual meeting held at Trans World Radio headquarters in Cary, North Carolina on the 9th and 10th of May. 











Not only was DRM the topic addressed by 4 of the speakers, many of the other sessions related to DRM topics and developments.

A challenge came from Lauren Libby (president of Trans World Radio) for the broadcasters and attendees to create a "Receiver Work-group" to 
brainstorm a way to jump start low-cost receiver development. This challenge was met head-on by the NASB board and a new work-group was formed to begin its focus by the end of May.

The conference featured a spirited presentation and Q n A by Johannes Von Weyssenhoff of StarWaves. 












Johannes proposed that with the correct commitment, he could begin immediate production of $29 USD receivers and $18 USD modules for existing radio productions. 











He has secured prototypes and has a manufacturer in-line for this work, which could start in a few months, under the proper factors.

George Ross of TWR presented on the vast world of low-cost SDR units being deployed globally by hobbyists in pursuit of DRM reception. 











Along with his colleague Mike Sabin, the two discussed the interest they had seen in Japanese and Chinese enthusiasts confirming reception of KTWR DRM tests that occurred last Christmas.

Jerome Hirigoyen of TDF presented a novel project called DRMcast Receiver. This device serves as a gateway whereby DRM is received and decoded and the audio is sent via WiFi to any available smartphone, PC or tablet device through a simple web interface. The unit itself has the antenna and power connections. This low-cost alternative to a conventional radio could serve multiple mobile devices in the vicinity.

Christopher Rumbaugh (your humble admin) of DRMNA presented on DRM consortium updates over the last year and a report on radio enthusiasts he met with 
on a recent trip to Japan. He reported that Japanese radio hobbyists enjoy radio in both digital and analog forms and welcome further 
broadcasts and tests in DRM as well as using other broadcasting initiatives such as Radiogram.





Lastly, it was confirmed by Calvin Carter of Continental electronics that the recent installation of a new 500 kW transmitter at WBCQ in the state of Maine does not include hardware to transmit in DRM. 










He did state that the equipment and modifications could be added to make the station DRM compatible, however.

NASB 2019 at TWR was an enjoyable and informative meeting. DRM is still on broadcaster's minds and hopefully will soon be part of their broadcast plans!