Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Cuba Celebrates 60 Years of Che Guevara's Radio Rebelde

Radio Rebelde, the voice of the Cuban Revolution, began as a clandestine pirate radio station nestled in the Sierra Maestra Mountains in the eastern part of the island.

It was 60 years ago today that the now-famous Cuban radio station founded by iconic guerrilla leader Che Guevara finally crackled into life over the Caribbeanairwaves.

Founded by Ernesto 'Che' Guevara at Altos de Conrado, the station's on-air signature became a screeching howl of "Aqui, Radio Rebelde!"

Its February 24, 1958 maiden broadcast, which lasted 20 minutes, came at a time when almost all of Cuba's media was controlled by loathed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The broadcast began with the rebels' anthem, followed by a report on the battle of Pino del Agua and other news from Che's guerrillas.

Read more at :

https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Cuba-Celebrates-60-Years-of-Che-Guevaras-Radio-Rebelde-20180224-0021.html


Friday, February 23, 2018

Ian McFarland CD Library Freebie


Ian McFarland - Former CBC Broadcaster and host-writer of Radio Canada International's English Language Service has worked with me over the years to create a small library of wonderful MP3 Podcasts and radio shows - a lot of stuff from the vaults.

We present some of this material here. And it is FREE until February 23rd at 2300 UTC !


An international broadcast consultant, Ian has worked for the CBC in London office, Radio Canada International as well as a 2 year stint with NHK in Tokyo.

Photo Right - Legends of DX! (2 out of 3!) Shawn Axelrod on the left, Ian McFarland in the centre and yours truly (Colin Newell) on the right in Duncan, British Columbia - April 2017

He is also one of the busiest retired people I  know - holding down slots at a local "Food bank" - supporting the disadvantaged - as well as being active on a day care center in the community.

Ian McFarland lives on Vancouver Island with his wife Mary and they are enjoying a fairly busy retirement indeed!

Ian's current online projects include a trio of 2-CD sets (now in MP3 format) of classic Interval Signals, a language recognition course featuring the late Dr. Richard E. Wood... and some "greatest hits" packages from his long and illustrious career with the CBC Foreign Service -

--
(Colin Newell - Editor and creator of Coffeecrew.com and DXer.ca - VA7WWV   | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada, Feb 22, via Glen Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST , WOR list)

Thursday, February 22, 2018

E-book - First Global Digital Publication on DRM


E-book - First Global Digital Publication on Digital Radio Mondiale !

The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium features in the first DRM e-book published by leading industry publication Radio World International (www.radioworld.com).

The e-book "DRM Drives Forward" includes in its 25 pages updates, succinct news, information and articles authored by key DRM members, Ampegon, BBC, Fraunhofer IIs, Kintronics, Nautel and RFmondial. In an attractive and colourful format, it also features some of the very successful Radio World blogs written by Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair.

The publication gives a global update of DRM with expert but visually attractive and accessible information and explanation from broadcasters and manufacturers on the use of DRM in covering small and large areas, on its many benefits as the only all band, efficient and most modern digital audio broadcasting open standard. The compact DRM e-book also includes new information on the datacasting potential of DRM as used by the German Navy and US Coastguard, the DRM emergency warning functionality, as well as updates on recent installations and new products.

The e-book is a must for the radio lovers and is published on February 22nd and circulated to subscribers of Radio World.



World Radio Day stories from Indian press

World Radio Day stories from Indian press :


"World Radio Day" -by F.Sheheryar, DG,AIR



RADIO GAGA
Abraham Thomas of Radio City on why the nation's pulse is still felt on air waves


World Radio Day 2018: Why The World And India Are Celebrating This Special Occasion






Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Radio Oomrang special transmission on 21st Feb 2018

Radio Oomrang annual transmission

1600-1659 UTC on 15215 kHz via ISS 500 kW / 300 deg to E/NAm Frisian dialect, German & English on Tuesday, February 21, 2018

Radio Oomrang broadcasts once in a year on shortwave in lower German language via facilities of Media Broadcast in Germany. Radio Oomrang announces as "The Free Voice of Frisian People from Amrum island in Germany". Station ID is in english.

About Oomrang :

DRM Consortium to sponsor session and hold workshop on DRM Digital Radio at DBS 2018

Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) to Sponsor Session and Hold Workshop on Introducing and Implementing DRM Digital Radio at DBS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium will once again have a strong presence at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Digital Broadcasting Symposium to be held from 5-8 March, at the Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

DBS is a key event in the DRM calendar, and this year DRM is sponsoring a conference session during which DRM Chairman Ruxandra Obreja will give a keynote speech, "Technologies and Standards: What's New? What's Next?" on Tuesday 6th March, 1130-1300. DRM Vice-Chairman Alexander Zink will examine some of the practical benefits of DRM and look at the future while addressing the best methods for the most economic coverage of national, regional and local areas in a country (March 7th, 1115-1300).

The delegates will also be able to participate actively in the DRM workshop on Wednesday 7th March, 1400-1530, at Tun Sri Lanang 1, The Royale Chulan Hotel, held under the title "Introducing and Implementing Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) - Practical Lessons and Best Practice". The workshop will offer delegates an opportunity to learn from first-hand experience and practical steps in implementing the full DRM technology to benefit key stakeholders: listeners, regulators, broadcasters and receiver manufacturers. Key DRM experts will give updates on the DRM latest developments throughout the conference.

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair, says that: "Understanding how to successfully roll out digital radio on budget, with significant energy savings and on time, as part of a well-coordinated national effort, is crucial.  The aim of the workshop is to give delegates access to experts from the DRM Consortium who will be available to answer questions and demonstrate how a well-planned roll-out can embrace and affirm the power of digital radio."

To attend the workshop, please contact projectoffice@drm.org.

(Press Release)

1940s RCI shortwave transmitter finds new home in old jail

The Radio Canada International 1940's 50 kw shortwave transmitter has been sold to Bill Steele who has turned a former jail into B&B accomodation

The transmitter was installed around the end of the Second World War and used until the 1970s. The Radio Canada International site outside Sackville continued to broadcast, but the 50 kW transmitter, five metres long and 2½ metres wide, was decommissioned and used as a showpiece.  

Full story at :


2018 editions of NDB handbooks and CDs

Michael, NDB handbooks editor has announced a new member of the family, the GNDBH 2018. The Global NDB Handbook contains a wealth of data listing more than 16500 NDBs worldwide.

With the increasing availability of worldwide web SDRs, the GNDBH 2018 will give you all the information you need to check for NDBs, regardless where you're listening from.

But also the classic products have been updated once again:

The ENDBH 2018 now contains the data of more than 7300 NDBs, and the updated NANDBH 2018 shows the data of more than 5900 NDBs.

Please find all relevant details at the following URL:


(Michael, NDB handbooks editor)






Tuesday, February 20, 2018

DRM consortium gears up for BES Expo 2018, New Delhi

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) Supports and Exhibits at the International Broadcasting Engineering Society of India (BES) Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi 

The DRM Consortium, represented by its Indian and international members and partners (including All India Radio, Ampegon, BECIL, BBC, Communication Systems Inc., Fraunhofer IIS, Gospell Digital Technologies, Nautel, NXP, RFmondial), will have a stronger presence than ever at the international BES (Broadcasting Engineering Society www.besindia.co.in) conference and exhibition on terrestrial and satellite broadcasting, taking place in New Delhi, India, 26-28 February 2018. BES EXPO is rated as the biggest broadcast technology show in India with nearly 300 exhibitors from 25 countries and an estimated 3,000 professionals and decision-makers attending. 

The DRM Consortium (www.drm.org) and one of its key Asian members, Gospell Digital Technology (www.gospell.com), will welcome all visitors at booths 21 and 22, ready to present latest DRM receiver models (including a DRM and Bluetooth car kit) and share knowledge on aspects of DRM such as the emergency warning functionality. The latest model of one of the leading automobile manufacturers in India, with a line-fit DRM receiver will be on display as well. 

A three-day conference on the theme "Non-Linear Broadcasting - Technology and Business Models" will be held concurrently with the exhibition and will include two DRM sessions on February 28th . One will be on "Unique, Superior Features of DRM – The Latest Digital Radio Standard" and another on "The Progress of DRM in South Asia – Latest Updates and Technical Developments". In addition, on February 27th, DRM Consortium member Fraunhofer IIS will unveil the synergies between DRM terrestrial digital radio broadcast and latest mobile-friendly Internet streaming services, both based on the latest MPEG xHE-AAC audio codec. 

According to Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman: "As DRM digital radio makes India potentially the largest digital radio market in the world, the DRM Consortium is keen to showcase the current developments and areas of great benefit delivered by DRM. Its many additional features and its capacity to link to IP creates new possibilities for listeners and the industry. Our BES presentations and demonstrations aim to show practically the progress made in India by DRM, its potential for listeners, broadcasters and industry, while learning from our Indian colleagues how the Indian media landscape is changing." 

About DRM  :

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital broadcasting system for all broadcasting frequencies. The DRM standard comprises of two major configurations: 'DRM30′ intended for broadcasts on short, medium and long wave up to 30 MHz and providing large coverage areas and low power consumption. The configuration for the VHF bands above 30 MHz is called 'DRM+', tailored for local and regional coverage with broadcaster-controlled transmissions. All DRM configurations share the same audio coding, data and multimedia services, service linking, multiplexing and signalling schemes. DRM provides high quality sound combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services. For more information and DRM updates please visit www.drm.org or subscribe to DRM news by writing to pressoffice@drm.org

About Gospell Digital Technology  :

Gospell is a leading supplier of digital TV system and receivers, satellite TV receivers and microwave products with an annual production capacity of 5000 sets of headend and TV transmitters, 6 million sets of Set-top boxes, 20 million LNBs, 3 million satellite dishes. Gospell has three R&D centers, two manufacturing bases and 8 offices in China with 5000 employees. Gospell also has a presence in India (www.gospell.com).

(Press Release)

Monday, February 12, 2018

What is Luxembourg Effect ?

Excellent article on The Luxembourg Effect by Paul Litwinovich...



World Radio Day 2018: Tune in to the good old days

By Kalyani Majumdar | Feb 11, 2018 05:36 am

As we celebrate the World Radio Day on 13th of February, Kalyani Majumdar sums up the trajectory of one of the significant inventions of humankind that shaped our world and saw us through some of the epochal moments in history

The sound crackled a bit. You turned the knob to clear the radio static as the song Radio Ga Ga by Queen came alive on air, and you sang along the lines… 'Radio…someone still loves you." There was a time, when if you wanted to listen to a song you loved, you had to go all the way to a music store to buy music, or you had to wait for your radio show to play that song and even then you were left at the mercy of the announcer to play that song. Sounds unbelievable now, right? 

Read the full story at :


The Golden age of Radio

Published: Feb 12,201808:15 AM by Merin James

As we celebrate World Radio Day on February 13, Chennai's popular newscaster H Ramakrishnan, a pioneering radio personality from Tamil Nadu, talks about the evolution of radio over the decades 

I first became aware of my interest in radio when I was in school. I was in the fourth form (equivalent to eighth grade now) when I wrote to Melville de Mellow, the great commentator and newscaster. I expressed my interest in joining radio and asked him the procedure to apply. He asked me to complete college and then apply to read the news on All India Radio (AIR).

Full story at :



Saturday, February 10, 2018

SDR Radio V3 Beta released

SDR Radio V3 Beta has been released, download from :

http://www.sdr-radio.com/Software/Downloads



DRM technology demonstrated at BES Bangalore Chapter meet

Various aspects of Digital Radio Mondiale technology was discussed and demonstrated during one day seminar 'Emerging Trends in Digital Broadcasting', organized by Broadcast Engineering Society, Bangalore Chapter on 3rd Feb 2018 at Hotel Chancery Pavillion, Bangalore. Over 100+ delegates including students, faculties attended the seminar. 

Rajesh Kurian from NXP, Bangalore outlined the features of DRM  including specifics of modulation standards, DRM coverage areas alongwith various other technological aspects. He also demonstrated live reception of Digital Radio Mondiale transmission from All India Radio, Bangalore.

Gowrav L. Director, Geek Synergy Technologies, presented about possibilities in DRM non audio services including data application services in DRM+ and Diveemo.

The seminar was inaugurated by Hon Minister for Transport, GOK,Shri H.M.Revanna. Keynote Address was delivered by Chairman of Bangalore Chapter Shri Anil Kumar Mangalgi, DDG(E),DDK,Bangalore.

The Radio Festival: Celebrating Sound

The expressive qualities of spoken word, sound and music enrich our lives and who better than Radio and Sound Art to showcase this. The Radio Festival  (TRF) is all about that, being celebrated on  15 February , 2018, at UNESCO House, 1 San Matin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

Conceived and initiated by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television IAWRT, a network of women associated with all media- print, television, radio and film, TRF  will bring together Public, Private and Community radio and audio works on a single platform, in time to celebrate World Radio Day that falls on February 13 every year. The festival is an effort to break the silos between different broadcasting tiers and create an opportunity for engaging and learning from each other.

What makes TRF unique is its inclusivity of all  forms of radio and audio offerings, to tell their stories and share experiences on a variety of themes like Sports -which is  the World Radio day theme of 2018- Creativity in Programming; Driving social change through storytelling, Technological innovations in broadcasting and media convergence, and Understanding wide ranging audiences, cutting across age, geography, literacy and language barriers. On board are multiple stakeholders from the Industry, NGO Sector, Private FM Radio Players, All India Radio and Community Radio Stations. Decision makers from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are expected to participate in the festival.

For the first time ever in the country, The Radio Festival , will bring together Public, Private and Community radio and Audio works on a single platform, in time to celebrate World Radio Day that falls on February 13 every year. What makes TRF unique, is its inclusivity of all forms of Radio and audio offerings, to tell their stories and share experiences on a variety of themes like sports (which is the World Radio day theme of 2018); understanding the social environment and providing information, education and entertainment through sound to wide ranging audiences, cutting across age, geography, literacy and language barriers.

Committed to better radio through improved cooperation and understanding between different tiers of Radio, Industry and Technology, the Radio Festival is poised to become an annual event, bigger and better

TRF Highlights

• Plenaries and thematic sessions by experts and renowned radio personalities
• Interactions, demonstrations, activities built into thematic sessions
• Chowpal-dynamic fun space with a variety of sound art installations
• Impromptu competitions with attractive rewards
• Evening performances through a Networking Dinner

The event is open to public without any delegate fee.  
For further information kindly contact:

TRF Core Team:
Archana Kapoor- 09811166297, Pinky Chandran – 09845888686, Rukmini Vemraju – 09910054984

The Radio Festival Directorate:
Ph: 011-26524651; 26517545;26528263

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Ampegon takes over the MW product line of Transradio Sendersysteme Berlin AG

Berlin, Germany, January 24, 2018. Following the insolvency of TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin AG in May 2017, many existing Transradio mediumwave transmitter customers have been left uncertain about how to complete existing contracts, and how to continue to operate and maintain their systems.

In the spirit of their previous cooperation agreement with TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin AG and their customers, the Ampegon Group have made a strategic decision to step back into the mediumwave transmitter market. Ampegon acquired the TRAM and SCIAMP product lines together with the manufacturing site, warehouse and the core engineering team in Berlin in order to assist customers left without support. The company will then continue to produce lower power medium  wave transmitters to maintain the competitive MW market that ultimately benefits broadcasters.

For legal reasons, while the enterprise necessary to accomplish this is being established, the Ampegon Group has formed a daughter company in Germany named AM Broadcast GmbH. This company is being used to establish Ampegon's position in the market as an intermediate step. The company organization is in place and is now supporting mediumwave broadcasters with all the experience that you would expect from one of the world's longest-established players in the field of AM broadcasting.

For example, under this arrangement, existing Transradio Contracts can be reassigned in order to allow the Ampegon Group to complete them with minimum possible disruption. This will prevent contracts of significant value collapsing, leaving everyone disappointed without operational systems, and ensure future support during and beyond warranty period.

Once the legal insolvency formalities are completed, it is intended that TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin GmbH will be transferred into the Ampegon Group. Afterwards, AM Broadcast GmbH will be renamed as an Ampegon branded company.

Since the legal process to achieve these aims takes some time, Ampegon asks affected MW broadcasters for their patience while remaining legal matters are resolved. However, as the organization is in place, we are already supporting their operations from now onwards under the names AM Broadcast and Ampegon.


(Press Release)

Radio is the second most accessed medium across metros, non-metros

According to a Nielsen India report, after print, radio has the second-highest ad-attention, followed by TV and streaming services. In terms of ad-effectiveness, radio ads are the second most effective in driving purchase intent, with TV being the most effective medium," according to the report Power of Radio commissioned by Music Broadcast that operates Radio City FM channel.






Thursday, February 01, 2018

European Music Radio's founder and short wave legend Tom Taylor passes away

With great sadness we report the death of European Music Radio's founder and short wave legend Tom Taylor, to many also known as Barry Stephens. For many dedicated SW free radio enthusiasts, E.M.R. was thé station in the late 1970s and 1980. As from 1980 onwards E.M.R. and FRS became sister stations. Within a few days a Memorial with some personal memories will be put on the FRS site. We will inform you via mail when it will be on-line.
All of us at FRS are shocked by Tom's death. He indeed was a short wave legend. May he rest in peace.

Peter Verbruggen (on behalf of the FRS Team)
----

Hello There from IRRS/NEXUS-IBA in Milan,

We are back after a while, with some very sad news. Tom Taylor, also known as Barry Stephens, former founder of European Music Radio, and passionate Shortwave radio enthusiast heard many times over our station, has died.

We exchanged emails last November with Tom, and he wrote me about his illness. Tom was extremely eager to return to the air in 2018. I thought that these days he would be able to recover quickly. However, I was wrong.

I am loosing a very good friend and a passionate radio lover alike. We are all going to miss him greatly at NEXUS.


We scheduled the last EMR program that Tom sent to us for a special broadcast over the next weekend on:

i.) Friday, Feb 2, 2018, 1900-2000 UTC on 7290 kHz (150 kW to EU) and 846 kHz MW
ii.) Saturday, Feb 3, 2018, 0900-1000 UTC on 9510 kHz (150 kW to EU)

Also repeated at various other times on 846 kHz during all next week from 7PM-01 AM CET on 846 kHz to Southern Europe, and available via streaming at http://mp3.nexus.org:8000/irn.mp3.m3u

Hope Tom will be enjoying good reception from the heavens.

Keep listening to Shortwave.

73s,

Alfredo

TRAI releases recommendations on Issues related to Digital Radio Broadcasting in India

TRAI releases Recommendations on Issues related to Digital Radio Broadcasting in India

Direct link to download TRAI recommendation on digital radio



Radio Taiwan Intl. English transmission to India - Frequency Change

Radio Taiwan International has changed its frequency to India for english transmissions with the effect from 01 February 2018 :

1600-1700 UTC (9.30 - 10.30 pm IST) - 9405 kHz ( ex 6185 kHz) 

New BBC Radio services and English Language Learning for Ethiopia and Eritrea

The BBC is launching new daily radio services which will be aired Monday to Friday in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya. The new language services have been available online since September 2017 when they launched websites and Facebook pages in all three languages.

The new radio services will provide impartial news, current affairs, features and analysis for Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as regional and international news. There will be a strong focus on culture, health and original journalism from the region. These services are part of the largest investment in the BBC World Service since the 1940s and are funded by the UK government.

The programme will be broadcast on shortwave, satellite - and streamed directly onto each service's Facebook page.

In addition content produced by BBC Learning English, part of the BBC World Service which teaches English to global audiences will feature prominently across the schedules for all three languages, with daily content as follows:

Essential English - Beginners (airs on Monday, repeated on Wednesday)
A functional five-minute audio course presented by an English speaker and a local presenter, which aims to help beginners to learn English. Learners will be introduced to essential chunks of functional language, which will allow them to start having simple conversations in English immediately.

English Expressions - Intermediate (airs Tuesday, repeated on Thursday)
This five-minute audio course focusses on common expressions used in everyday English. An English speaking presenter and a local language presenter discuss the meaning and use a different expression each week.

English Together Advanced (airs Friday only)
This is a bilingual five-minute audio with three presenters (2 English and one local language) discussing a current (safe i.e. non news) topic and examining the language used in the story allowing the user the practise their listening skills and equip them with the grammar and vocabulary needed to discuss the story.

The programmes are broadcast Monday-Friday at the following times:

17:30 – 17.45: Amharic news
17.45 – 17:50: BBC Learning English Amharic

17:50 – 18:05: Afaan Oromo News
18.05 – 18.10: BBC Learning English Afaan Oromo

18:10 – 18:25: Tigrinya News
18:25 – 18:30: BBC Learning English Tigrinya

Programmes will also be streamed via the respective BBC websites and Facebook pages (see links below).

Details of how to listen:




Notes to Editors :

The Initial shortwave broadcast to go out at 17:30 GMT/ 20:30 EAT on three transmitters providing coverage across Ethiopia and Eritrea:

7595  kHz
11720 kHz
12065 kHz

Repeat to follow at 18:30 GMT /21:30 EAT

9885  kHz
15490 kHz

Satellite Radio content will go out on the following channels:

Arabsat (BADR4) - 11.966 GHz, Horizontal
Nilesat 201 -11.843 GHz, Horizontal
Hotbird 13D – 12.597 GHz, Vertical

Evening satellite broadcast to go out at 17:30 GMT and will be repeated until 21:30 GMT.

The BBC World Service reaches a global audience of 269 million weekly, on radio, TV, and digital.
BBC World Service received further funding of £291m until 2019/20 from the UK Government to launch twelve new language services: Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi, Pidgin, Punjabi, Serbian, Telugu, Tigrinya, and Yoruba. This additional funding is not part of the licence fee.

MF

(Press Release)