According to the DRM Consortium, there will be a special two hour DRM broadcast today (April 18) starting at 12:00 UTC:
Special DRM transmission tomorrow 18th April from Spaceline during DRM GA at 1200-1400UTC on 11600kHz. From Kostinbrod, Bulgaria with antenna directed at 260 degrees. The content will be from Mighty KBC.
Note that this broadcast starts less than two hours from time of posting. Please comment if you log this broadcast!
I’ve been somewhere on the periphery of the DRM movement almost since its inception, but frankly have not paid much attention for the last ten plus years. Subsequently, I’ve developed a renewed interest, but am very disappointed to discover that I still cannot obtain a DRM receiver here in the USA. It’s as if NOTHING has happened of consequence for 10 plus years regarding consumer grade receivers. Contrast that to all that has happened with satellite communications, cell phones, the Internet, and consumer electronics in general. I want DRM to succeed, but fear that it may have been overtaken by other technologies.
Sadly DRM could have had an impact, but it was too slow getting off the ground. In the time DRM has tried to get it’s stuff together other technologies appeared, which don’t need a receiver.
Sio far every attempt to come out with a DRM receiver has failed.
The problem with DRM broadcasts has been the many sad attempts at bootstrapping a population of listeners. Original efforts were stymied by a complex modulation standard that actually has a zoo of possible options. The first receivers were clunky things only a seriously geeky hobbyist would want. Naturally, broadcasters were reluctant to put such signals on the air.
Today, the technology exists to make it work. The problem? We have had too many years of promises with no audience. The broadcasters are treating DRM like the AM Stereo debacle.
One reason things are this bad is because the standard itself has a baroque complexity that clearly only a committee could love. Word to the wise from someone who has been on standards committees: KEEP IT LEAN AND SIMPLE!
That’s why MW AM Broadcasting is still around. The delightful simplicity is easy to understand and easy to use. The ability to browse around the band is key. The rest of this is about content. Broadcasts live and die on timely, insightful content. Content costs money. Why invest if there won’t be anyone listening?
And so the chicken and egg problem with DRM continues. It’s been the modulation standard of the future for a long time. I will be surprised if that ever changes.
Jake,
I had to laugh … good stuff. Sure, DRM is a bit complex, but it’s flexible. Yes, this flexibility allows broadcasters to abuse the standard on shortwave and the majority of digital broadcasters certainly do! Witness the rampant use of 64 QAM modulation still instead of 16 QAM. The difference is important, very important on shortwave. In fact, if including 4 QAM modulation is possible with the DRM standard, even it should eventually be adopted by the standard for use on shortwave along with 16 QAM. In addition to adding 4 QAM modulation if possible,, mode D should be eliminated from the standard which would leave modes A, B, and C . It might be wise to even eliminate mode C.
Simplifying, include 4 QAM modulation into the DRM standard so 4, 16, and 64 QAM modulation is available to broadcasters. Eliminate mode D and possibly mode C.
Pity I’m only seeing this now, Bulgaria blasts into me here in Ireland at 11600 Khz !
Brother Stair has been blasting out loud again on this frequency, he’s gaining more air time again.
I wonder how many people heard it ?
How many people will listen?