Shortwave listening and everything radio including reviews, broadcasting, ham radio, field operation, DXing, maker kits, travel, emergency gear, events, and more
From Radio World: In a rare move, the FCC has approved two new construction permits and granted a full license for international shortwave broadcasting—prompting questions about their true purpose. All three applicants—DPA Mac, Parable Broadcasting, and Turms Tech—claim intentions to use the DRM standard, yet past filings and meeting summaries suggest possible ties to high-frequency financial data transmissions, a purpose not authorized under current broadcast rules. Who are these new players, and what exactly do they plan to transmit?
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan, for his recent article in Radio World titled “The Modernization of Broadcast Radio.” In it, Alan argues that the proposed “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” in the U.S. should go beyond preserving legacy systems and instead embrace Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) as the future of terrestrial broadcasting. Drawing comparisons with digital transitions in countries like Norway, Switzerland, India, and China, Alan highlights the potential to reduce transmission costs, increase coverage reliability, and enhance emergency communications — all while offering a path to modernize U.S. broadcasting infrastructure.
Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio
Welcome to the SWLing Post’sRadio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia, Alan, and Frank (SWL F14368) for the following tips:
SSB DXCC SWL Contest
Many thanks to Frank (SWL F14368), who shares the following announcement:
Hi Thomas
I have organized another SWL contest for 2025! The goal will be to listen a maximum number of DXCC entities in eight months but only in SSB mode (USB or LSB).
The DRM Consortium (www.drm.org) releases today its DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (rxspec.drm.org). The document describes and defines the core functional parameters of consumer radio receivers capable of receiving DRM radio broadcasts. As DRM is being increasingly rolled out, adopted and demonstrated globally such a document is necessary to offer a guide to receiver manufacturers, but also broadcasters and regulators, so that consumers get a common and consistent DRM digital radio experience.
[…]The DRM Receiver Functionality Recommendation applies toall types of consumer-targeting DRM radio receivers, with detailed application-specific requirements for automotive receivers, personal mobile devices (such as mobile, feature, and smart phones or tablets incorporating built-in radio receiver functionality for terrestrial broadcast radio), and general-purpose receivers (all types of stand-alone receivers, including home and desktop radios).
The Consumer Receiver Recommendation builds upon the more technical DRM MRR – Minimum Receiver Requirements Specification (mrr.drm.org), which must be implemented and followed by any DRM receiver.
The new Consumer Receiver Recommendation covers DRM digital radio in all broadcasting bands: in the LW, MW, SW and VHF bands (Band I, II and III) and analogue AM and analogue FM radio. [Continue reading…]
Summary: At the WorldDAB Summit 2024 in Zagreb, industry leaders emphasized the importance of keeping radio front and center in the evolving connected car landscape. Gregor Pötzsch of Volkswagen Group’s CARIAD stressed the need for easy findability and engaging multimedia content, while Tomas Granryd of the EBU Connected Car Playbook highlighted the challenges posed by hidden FM/DAB buttons, voice activation inconsistencies, and increasing competition from global digital platforms. With 70% of in-car audio still coming from radio, broadcasters have the leverage to shape dashboard integration, ensuring seamless hybrid reception and intuitive voice control. Read the full article at Radio World.
On 27 December, SE-TA 2, a private German shortwave radio station, will be on air with a 4-hour moderated music programme “Musikalischer Frühschoppen” from the Waldheim, Germany, transmitter.
The frequency will be 6195 kHz.
The two-hour programme will be played twice in succession within the 4-hour transmission windows. The DRM transmission will be in two different configurations:
09-11 UTC 16 QAM in MSC Mode B
11-13 UTC 16 QAM in MSC Mode C
Both featuring xHE-AAC audio, Journaline, DRM TextMessages with DL+ information, stations logos and Slideshow images.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news release via the DRM Consortium:
DRM RNZ Shortwave Transmitter For Pacific Inaugurated
On August 1st the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister came to RNZ House in Wellington to mark the start of the use of the new analogue and DRM transmitter, replacing a 34-year-old transmitter at the Rangitaiki broadcast site.
In a $4.4-million-dollar project, the public broadcaster RNZ has installed a new Swiss-made Ampegon shortwave transmitter.
Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Paul Thompson said it’s a significant infrastructure upgrade and secures the future of the RNZ shortwave service into the wider Pacific.
RNZ Pacific broadcasts into the wider Pacific on shortwave 24 hours a day, broadcasting in English and Pacific languages, in collaboration with 22 broadcasting partners across the region.
“The attraction of the shortwave service is that it delivers our unique voice and content to all parts of the Pacific via a signal which can carry over great distances, and achieve good audiences,” said Thompson.
“RNZ Pacific is an essential source of information, especially so during the cyclone season or during a crisis such as the Tonga eruptions,” he said.
RNZ’s Transmission Engineer Specialist Steve White said the project to replace the 34-year-old transmitter at the Rangitaiki broadcast site near Taupo had gone smoothly – being on budget and achieved without disruption to service. “We have appreciated the close working relationship with Ampegon for the new transmitter installation,” he said.
RNZ broadcasts into the wider Pacific on shortwave 24 hours a day, collaborating with 22 broadcasting partners across the region.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan, who shares the following context:
Receiving Radio New Zealand Pacific’s new transmitter.
Please look for this signal from the newest brand new high frequency (SW) transmitter.
It’s on air 00:00 – 04:48 UTC daily on 17675 kHz AM aimed at the Southern Pacific Ocean from 66 Matea Rd, Rangitaiki, Bay of Plenty, co-ordinates -38.8426 176.4297
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/listen shows no changes to duration and times of transmissions at all with the exception of a new time slot for the new transmitter outlined above.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan, who shares the following video via Cambridge Consultants:
Description:
Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is the only universal digital radio broadcasting system that can broadcast on all frequencies, offering unparalleled audio, coverage, cost-efficiency and sustainability when compared to legacy analogue radio services – and yet there’s been no portable, low-power, low-cost radio available bring these benefits to life. Until now.
With the release of the DRM1000 module from CC and CML Micro, billions of listeners worldwide can enjoy access to a world of entertainment, information and life-saving emergency warning functionality through digital radio mondiale services.
This milestone doesn’t just mark a technological advancement; it heralds a new era of possibilities. For broadcasters and manufacturers worldwide, it ignites a fresh wave of innovation, while for listeners in remote or low-income areas, it offers a crucial lifeline to the digital world.
KTWR’s home is on Guam, which makes for some interesting broadcasting
If you’re an avid Radio World reader, you know that we love to highlight unique radio facilities, whether they be local or abroad. If you happen to love that sort of content, you’re in luck!
Broadcasting since 1954, Trans World Radio, or TWR, is a Christian radio distributor that collaborates with U.S.-based radio stations to spread the gospel via local FMs, mediumwave or high-powered AMs and shortwave transmitters.
According to its website, TWR’s programming is broadcast in 200-plus languages on air, online and on the ground in 190 countries. It is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month.
With such an extensive résumé, TWR was bound to have at least a few unique transmitter sites. One such site that we’ll share with you here can be found “Where America’s Day Begins,” floating just above the equator in the western Pacific Ocean.
In Micronesia, TWR’s shortwave member station on Guam, KTWR, serves listeners across most of Asia, spanning Siberia to India to Indonesia. [Continue reading…]
The recently concluded BES Expo 2024 has occasioned the presentation of several new DRM achievements under one single (stall) roof.
For those who could not join the DRM Consortium members in India, here is a tour of the best under the guidance of Alexander Zink, vice-chairman of the DRM Consortium:
Radio Poland is celebrating its 88th anniversary on the air.
The station, launched on March 1, 1936, is part of Poland’s public radio network.
It broadcasts programmes on developments at home and abroad, Polish foreign policy, the economy, business and foreign investment.
Radio Poland, also known as Polish Radio’s External Service (Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy), aims to provide objective and impartial information about Poland and the country’s stance on international affairs.
It reports on developments in Polish society, its daily life as well as scientific and cultural achievements.
The thenews.pl website, part of Radio Poland, is a leading English-language resource for Polish news.
Updated regularly all day, every day, the website covers domestic and foreign affairs, economy and business, culture, sports and human interest stories.
Polish Radio launched shortwave broadcasts in English and Polish in 1936. They were discontinued with the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
After the end of the war in 1945, the shortwave channel Warszawa III resumed external broadcasts.
In 1990, Polish Radio started broadcasting in Ukrainian, Belarusian, Lithuanian, Czech and Slovak.
Then in 1994 the External Service began daily broadcasts in several languages via the World Radio Network.
In 2007, Polish Radio’s External Service launched its news website, now available at www.polskieradio.pl.
Today, Radio Poland broadcasts in Polish and five foreign languages: English, German, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian. [Continue reading…]
From Radio World: In a rare move, the FCC has approved two new construction permits and granted a full license for international shortwave broadcasting—prompting questions about their true purpose. All three applicants—DPA Mac, Parable Broadcasting, and Turms Tech—claim intentions to use the DRM standard, yet past filings and meeting summaries suggest possible ties to high-frequency financial data transmissions, a purpose not authorized under current broadcast rules. Who are these new players, and what exactly do they plan to transmit?
