Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ed, who has kindly downloaded and processed this Radio Exterior de España interview with Javier Sanchez, the Head of European Spectrum Strategy and Research and Development for REE.
The interview covers REE’s spectrum strategy and also the closure of shortwave radio services on October 1, 2014. While Mr. Sanchez is focused on delivering content via new channels (DAB and IP radio, for example), he believes it is a mistake to close all shortwave radio broadcasting as it still has both financial and content delivery advantages over newer methods.
Listen to the full interview via the embedded player below:
The part of the interview focusing on REE’s shortwave radio service begins at 13:30.
Again, many thanks for sharing this, Ed!
noone would listen to them if they would do that – just no affordable radios available.
Or do you think the average listener would fiddle around with computer software to listen to shortwave?
And as far as Europe is concerned there will not be any DRM in Future since people are pressed to buy DAB+ nowadays – those radios do not have any DRM capabilities. Noone will rush out for another new radio if there will be another standard in say 2 years or so.
DRM had its chance 10 years ago – time has gone over this.
Since REE is evidently exploring excuses to eliminate shortwave anyway, I doubt a complete transition to digital shortwave will adversely affect much of their total audience. Although dedicated DRM receivers are required for appeal to the masses, I suspect listeners who want to hear REE on shortwave will use software to decode the transmission despite the hassle.
With the advent of the xHE-AAC codec, I don’t agree that DRM’s time has passed even in Europe. With robust configurations, I fully expect DRM to transform shortwave into a flexible and useable medium for intercontinental communication.
Your arguments are purely technical.
1. Why should I use a shortwave-frontend when I have to use a computer anyway? I could use podcast then – much easier.
2. Codec is irrelevant if there are no users who buy radios.
3. Car manufacturers simply ignore DRM as it cost some cents extra and is not demanded by the customer = people who buy the cars. And in modern cars you can NOT change the radio anymore.
Remember: much of radio usage is on the move.
and
4. Radio Andernach (Bundeswehr/german army radio) uses DRM simply for the fact that broadcasts can be encrypted …
1. Only if a listener has access to the Internet … which I find increasingly questionable on a personal basis with the ubiquitous spying
2. Codec isn’t irrelevant as it enables shortwave to be a viable medium of communication which will drive demand for DRM radios
3. Multiple standard ICs will help level the playing field even in automobiles
4. Possibly, but broadcasting is still an effective and proven means of reaching all targeted areas whether fixed or mobile
>> 3. Multiple standard ICs will help level the playing field even in automobiles <<
I don't think this will ever happen: car manufacturers will NOT implement AM wavebands if there is not massive demand – modern cars have lot of EMC problems because of all those digital signals being transferred between the various components. Shielding reduces return on invest/earnings so the easier way is to ban AM bands from the radios – by the car manufacturers.
Manufacturers of those OEM radios have to build according to specification, there is no way to build "extra features" as these are not payed for – automotive suppliers suffer from severe cost pressure by their customers, the car manufacturers.
Excellent interview. Indeed, these state broadcasters have difficulty assessing the true cost of their taxpayer-funded activities.
Instead of abandoning shortwave entirely, REE would be smart to convert their analog operations on the shortwave bands to digital (DRM). DRM with the xHE-AAC codec is very close to transforming the shortwave bands into a usable medium of global communication. The German military uses DRM for communication with their ships.