Oldies Fans what about Shortwave?

[kf4rca]

WINB (9265) has been broadcasting DRM experimentally. VOA is expected to start a DRM service "in a couple of months" (according to Kim Andrew Elliot, VOA) although they have admitted it easier to jam than AM.
Europe has had DRM for a few years now, mostly by government broadcasters.

 

[FreddyE1977]

The Russian Woodpecker is actually located near the old Chernobyl nuclear site. It's in the danger zone and has been pretty much abandoned since the fire at the nuclear plant many years ago. There are lots of video and pictures of the site on the internet. It's huge

I thought that thing was located in Krasnoyarsk, in Siberia.

 

[spiritof67]

David, I agree with you regarding the advertising and the lack of attracting them on short wave. The suggestion I had was what has been occurring in Europe in recent years. These stations are essentially community radio stations using the short wave bands.

 

[K6JHU]

"I thought that thing was located in Krasnoyarsk, in Siberia." There was more than one. See for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxFqPEJ3EA

And for you conspiracy theorists reference the movie "The Russian Woodpecker"

DRM has (or had) the same issue as HD radio. High royalties to get into the game.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

"I thought that thing was located in Krasnoyarsk, in Siberia." There was more than one. See for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxFqPEJ3EA

And for you conspiracy theorists reference the movie "The Russian Woodpecker"

DRM has (or had) the same issue as HD radio. High royalties to get into the game.

I decoded DRM with my little TenTec shortwave receiver and a using a computer to decode the signal. I'm not sure I have the software anymore or if it's available for free as it once was. It was cool to see the digital signal pop up as clear as could be with program info displayed on the computer screen. Trouble was a lack of programming in English, then later a lack of any programming! There's plenty of HF spectrum to be had, I'd like to see DRM get a little.

 

[davideduardo]

DRM has (or had) the same issue as HD radio. High royalties to get into the game.

I was under the impression that DRM was created by a non-profit consortium and it "open source".

"Apart from the ability to fit in with existing spectrum requirements, the DRM system also benefits from being an open system[1]. All manufacturers and interested parties have free access to the complete technical standards, and are able to design and manufacture equipment on an equitable basis."

And...

"There is no royalty charge for actual use of the system(broadcasting or reception)."

-> https://www.drm.org/what-is-drm-digital-radio/summary/

Apparently any transmitter or receiver manufacturer can use the open source data to build their royalty-free products. Membership in the consortium of manufacturers and broadcasters is very inexpensive and mostly provides additional technical guidance via newsletters, conferences, etc.

 

[wabby111]

WTWW

WRMI also airs oldies shows on 9395. The problem with WTWW is that, while they air an excellent oldies show, they overly pander to the bible bangers as well to the relatively few ham operators like myself that listen.

They also sign off abruptly, with no ID whatsoever, just after 0500 UTC. I think we know now where the (in)famous Phoenix lamptimer went.

Totally agree.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

WRMI also airs oldies shows on 9395. The problem with WTWW is that, while they air an excellent oldies show, they overly pander to the bible bangers as well to the relatively few ham operators like myself that listen.

They also sign off abruptly, with no ID whatsoever, just after 0500 UTC. I think we know now where the (in)famous Phoenix lamptimer went.

And what do you think pays the bills? Certainly not the oldies shows!

 

[Pat3]

I decoded DRM with my little TenTec shortwave receiver and a using a computer to decode the signal. I'm not sure I have the software anymore or if it's available for free as it once was. It was cool to see the digital signal pop up as clear as could be with program info displayed on the computer screen. Trouble was a lack of programming in English, then later a lack of any programming! There's plenty of HF spectrum to be had, I'd like to see DRM get a little.

I'm curious how you can use a computer to decode DRM shortwave. If I place a radio anywhere near a computer, the noise from the computer wipes out reception on the radio.

 

[Route66Fan]

I'm curious how you can use a computer to decode DRM shortwave. If I place a radio anywhere near a computer, the noise from the computer wipes out reception on the radio.

You can use a Software Defined Radio (SDR), like a RTL-SDR or SDRPlay.

 

[DaveBayArea]

I'm curious how you can use a computer to decode DRM shortwave. If I place a radio anywhere near a computer, the noise from the computer wipes out reception on the radio.

That is typically because the antenna is in the radio. If you shield the radio and place the antenna some distance away it works fine.

Dave B.

 

[Kelly A]

I was under the impression that DRM was created by a non-profit consortium and it "open source".

"Apart from the ability to fit in with existing spectrum requirements, the DRM system also benefits from being an open system[1]. All manufacturers and interested parties have free access to the complete technical standards, and are able to design and manufacture equipment on an equitable basis."

And...

"There is no royalty charge for actual use of the system(broadcasting or reception)."

-> https://www.drm.org/what-is-drm-digital-radio/summary/

Apparently any transmitter or receiver manufacturer can use the open source data to build their royalty-free products. Membership in the consortium of manufacturers and broadcasters is very inexpensive and mostly provides additional technical guidance via newsletters, conferences, etc.

All true. Problem is; because it's open source and free, nobody has picked up the interest in producing DRM in receiver chips. Most consumer electronic manufacturers won't spend R&D on something like MW or SW due to lack of interest. This whole thing is about 25 years too late.

 

[Dondd]

I need to listen more to SW on my Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE.
I use to listen to SW stations on occasion, when I lived in the Midwest. It seemed to pickup stations with my attached whip antenna better then (early 2000s).
Here in Florida, AM reception period, whether day or night, isn't great, particularly skywave stations, which I miss. I'm in a major metro area on Florida's Gulf Coast. AM is often too staticy, though the locals come in fine.

I have programmed the SW frequencies listed in this thread into my station memory settings.
None of them came in this afternoon (4 p.m. ET), but perhaps they will later.