{"id":51358,"date":"2021-12-28T07:27:20","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T11:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=51358"},"modified":"2021-12-28T07:27:20","modified_gmt":"2021-12-28T11:27:20","slug":"drm-mystery-benn-shares-the-latest-on-turms-tech-station-wipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/drm-mystery-benn-shares-the-latest-on-turms-tech-station-wipe\/","title":{"rendered":"DRM Mystery: Benn shares the latest on Turms Tech Station WIPE"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The following article by Benn Kobb was posted on Dec. 25 to Glenn Hauser’s World<\/strong><\/em>
\nof Radio list on groups.io. I repost it here with Benn’s permission:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Subject: As the World ‘Turms’<\/strong><\/p>\n

It would seem like 2021 would end with no FCC action on the three mysterious entities requesting licenses under the umbrella of International Broadcasting, but likely involved in sending private messages to trading clients in Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n

In fact there has been action, of a sort.<\/p>\n

Two of those applicants are still waiting to receive construction permits. The third — Turms Tech, part of Turms Holdings, a subsidiary of Emcor Securities of New York — already has a construction permit and says it has built a 10 kW DRM station in New Jersey.<\/p>\n

Turms requested callsign WIPE. It is so listed with the FCC. Turms has no license to operate this station. Yet.<\/p>\n

The FCC is apparently not clear about whether Turms intends to use WIPE for conventional broadcasting — you know, the only type of transmission permitted under the FCC rules for such HF stations.<\/p>\n

Turms originally told the FCC that it will engage in “broadcast and data services” and “broadcast of financial, economic news and data through distribution of programs generally prepared on the basis of requests by clients.”<\/p>\n

Clear as mud. If broadcasting business news on shortwave to DRM receivers is profitable, you’d think that WTWW, WRMI, WBCQ, WWRB etc. would have discovered that years ago.<\/p>\n

And what’s that about “data”? The FCC rules are plain that HFBC stations are for broadcasting to the public. There is no exemption to that requirement whether the broadcast is audio for listening or data for decoding.<\/p>\n

So to clarify the issues, on Dec. 3, 2021 five FCC staff members asked WIPE’s consulting engineer if he could answer a few questions.<\/p>\n

He couldn’t, at the time. Quoting from a record of that online meeting: “The information being sought was clarification of certain general non-technical items that will be possibly proposed by the pending shortwave operation. These type of items or clarifications are not normally items that this [engineering] firm would be knowledgeable.”<\/p>\n

Presumably after consulting with his client Turms, he later provided FCC with these answers:<\/p>\n

– – –<\/p>\n

Q: Clarification is requested regarding the audio and data content of the general service to be provided, if known?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A: Airtime will be sold to anyone interested in broadcasting his contents. Editorial line will focus on contemporary topics, no religious or political contents. More specifically the target we’re looking for is global news and financial information, CNBC style programs.<\/p>\n

Q: Will encryption be used in the transmitted signal?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A: No encryption will be used, this is a general broadcast.<\/p>\n

Q. Will there be a contract for reception of the signal required?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A. No contract will be required for the reception.<\/p>\n

Q. Will a DRM receiver be required for either or both the audio or the data?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A. A DRM receiver will be required for both audio and data.<\/p>\n

Q. Will the proposed transmitter site receive other international HF signals to be rebroadcast on the intended operation?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A. No.<\/p>\n

– – –<\/p>\n

The FCC’s question about contract is especially pertinent, as the FCC considers broadcasting to require no contract between transmitting and receiving parties. A private data operation would involve such a contract, usually for some kind of subscription or other fee for service.<\/p>\n

So what should we believe? WIPE will not engage in private data communications, but will instead pursue a sketchy business plan?<\/p>\n

On December 23, 2021, RF engineer Alex Pilosov submitted a detailed objection — his second — to the TURMS application. According to Pilosov, “the directors and officers of TURMS do not claim any broadcasting experience, but certainly have substantial business experience, and are aware of the business of trading and data transmission.<\/p>\n

“What TURMS claims,” he told the FCC, “is that a company without any experience in broadcasting decides to construct the first International Broadcast station in 20 years dedicated to ‘financial news’ programming, and ‘data broadcast to the general public,’ foregoing any subscription revenues, but somehow able to recoup the setup costs by broadcast operations alone.<\/p>\n

“The second possibility, apparent from digging into the facts and associated entities, is that TURMS instead lacked candor in its filings, and that its application for ‘International Broadcast’ is merely a pretext for private data transmission business.”<\/p>\n

If and when WIPE goes on the air — on 9.65, 11.850, 13.720 and 15.450 MHz — DRM monitoring by the SWL community should help establish the facts about any possible encrypted or otherwise non-public, non-broadcast emissions from this station.<\/p>\n

Benn Kobb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The following article by Benn Kobb was posted on Dec. 25 to Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio list on groups.io. I repost it here with Benn’s permission: Subject: As the World ‘Turms’ It would seem like 2021 would end with no FCC action on the three mysterious entities requesting licenses under the umbrella of International […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1114,54,3,43],"tags":[2675,980,4083,6263,8805],"class_list":["post-51358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-modes","category-drm","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-benn-kobb","tag-digital-radio-mondiale","tag-drm","tag-turms-tech","tag-wipe"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-dmm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26582,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/fcc-a-detailed-application-for-a-new-10kw-drm-transmitter\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":0},"title":"FCC: A detailed application for a new 10KW DRM transmitter","author":"Thomas","date":"June 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Thomas, did you see this? It's a detailed application to the FCC for the construction of a 10KW shortwave transmitter for DRM on 9.65 MHz and 15.45 MHz. Click here to download the application (PDF). Thanks, Ed! I know nothing about\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Modes"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Modes","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-modes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/DRM-Transmitter-Alpine-Radar-Tower.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/DRM-Transmitter-Alpine-Radar-Tower.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/DRM-Transmitter-Alpine-Radar-Tower.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44244,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/high-frequency-parties-asks-fcc-to-question-proposed-chicago-drm-broadcasters-true-mission\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":1},"title":"High-Frequency Parties asks FCC to question proposed Chicago DRM broadcaster’s true mission","author":"Thomas","date":"July 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bennett Kobb, who shares an FCC Informal Objection he drafted and filed together with Kim Elliott and Christopher Rumbaugh. Click here to download the Informal Objection. (PDF) Radio World published a great summary of the filing today: There\u2019s a plan in the works to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Informal-Objection-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Informal-Objection-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Informal-Objection-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Informal-Objection-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62569,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/radio-world-three-mysterious-new-shortwave-stations-approved-in-the-u-s\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":2},"title":"Radio World: Three Mysterious New Shortwave Stations Approved in the U.S.","author":"Thomas","date":"April 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From Radio World: In a rare move, the FCC has approved two new construction permits and granted a full license for international shortwave broadcasting\u2014prompting questions about their true purpose. All three applicants\u2014DPA Mac, Parable Broadcasting, and Turms Tech\u2014claim intentions to use the DRM standard, yet past filings and meeting summaries\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DRM"","block_context":{"text":"DRM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/drm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45233,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/radio-waves-brazil-proposes-end-of-all-ham-radio-exams-radio-engineer-files-objection-to-wipe-radio-in-the-malvinas-war-and-list-of-48-weatheradio-sites-in-proposed-closure\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":3},"title":"Radio Waves: Brazil Proposes End of all Ham Radio Exams, Radio Engineer Files Objection to WIPE, Radio in the Malvinas War, and List of 48 Weatheradio Sites in Proposed Closure","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Icom IC-756 Pro Transceiver Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45089,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/radio-waves-questions-about-new-hf-stations-towers-damaged-after-hurricanes-evolution-of-ham-radio-and-the-vintage-radio-repairman\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":4},"title":"Radio Waves: Questions About New HF Stations, Towers Damaged after Hurricanes, Evolution of Ham Radio, and The Vintage Radio Repairman","author":"Thomas","date":"August 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Philco-Transitone-Radio-Dial.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Philco-Transitone-Radio-Dial.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Philco-Transitone-Radio-Dial.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Philco-Transitone-Radio-Dial.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54620,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/high-frequency-trading-service-fcc-posts-two-lobbying-documents-by-dpa-mac\/","url_meta":{"origin":51358,"position":5},"title":"High-Frequency Trading Service: FCC posts two lobbying documents by DPA Mac","author":"Thomas","date":"November 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Benn Kobb (AK4AV), who notes that the FCC has posted for public inspection two lobbying documents by DPA Mac, applicant for a new DRM HF broadcast station with 2 kW of transmitter output power. Benn notes: \"Regardless of DPA's claims that its broadcasts will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Black-and-White-Spectrum-Dark-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51358\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}