Friday, August 31, 2012

New 100 kW shortwave transmitter on air - Radio Hargeisa

Radio Hargeisa in Somali was received by several Dxers of Japan at 1545-1900*UTC on 7120kHz on Aug 30, 2012. ID "Idhaat al Hargeisa".



(Sei-ichi Hasegawa via DXLD list)

Video of the new txer posted on 27th Aug


Somaliland: Radio Hargeisa launches new trasmitter and expand its
coverage to the Horn of Africa and Asia on {SW 41 MB . FREQ 7120 KHZ}

Rooble Mohamed ‏@Rooble2009 27th Aug 2012 on Twitter

Radio Hargeisa Website (in Somali) : http://www.radiohargaysa.net/
Online streaming : http://www.radiohargeysa24.com/


Station profile of Radio Hargeisa By Tony Rogers of BDXC


Related Links :


Somaliland: 100Kw Radio Transmitter under Installation

http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/politics/government/1042-somaliland-100kw-radio-transmitter-under-installation

Schedule on 31st August 1500 - 1830 UTC off air
Here's an audio file, YL announces email id & FB url at the end of clip ...

http://soundcloud.com/alokesh/radio-hargeisa-7120-khz-1502


Comments at : alokeshgupta@gmail.com

Thursday, August 30, 2012

IRF set to welcome the radio world

MUMBAI: The third edition of the International Radio Festival (IRF) in Zurich is all set to welcome over 25 leading radio stations, head-honchos, producers and radio jockeys between 12-16 September 2012.

Representing India on an international platform will be Red FM and its morning jock Malishka who were the winners of the 'Sound of India@IRF2012' competition organised by Radioandmusic.com in association with the IRF.

Read the RnM story here :

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Fraunhofer IIS and KeyStone Introduce World’s First Journaline on Android Phones by Bluetooth Radio Wizard Technology

Fraunhofer IIS and KeyStone Demonstrate Digital Radio Advanced Text Service Journaline on Android Phones by Employing KeyStone’s Bluetooth Radio Wizard Technology at IFA and IBC 2012
 
Journaline content can now be browsed conveniently on Bluetooth enabled smart phones and tablets, even if the digital radio receiver itself only provides a minimalistic text screen or no screen at all. BRW supports multiple radio standards such as AM, FM, DAB/DAB+, DRM (DRM30/DRM+), HD Radio, etc.
 
Read the press release here :

Comments at alokeshgupta@gmail.com

DRM Logs - BBC & TDP


2012-08-28 1633Z 0h40m 28N/77E 5845kHz #BBCWorldService_DRM #DR111 20.7 dB avg SNR 99.9% audio

 
2012-08-28 1613Z 0h17m 28N/77E 15775kHz #TheDiscoPalace_DRM #DR111 24.8 dB avg SNR 99.9% audio 
Maxm SNR was 29 dB best ever ! (ex TDP with 27 dB)
 

Comments at alokeshgupta@gmail.com

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Radio Free Asia Commemorates JSWC 60th ANNIVERSARY with special QSL card

 
Radio Free Asia has announced its 47th QSL card to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC). This special QSL is scheduled for distribution for all confirmed Radio Free Asia reception reports dated August 25 - 26, 2012. The release of this special QSL card also coincides with Tokyo HAM Fair 2012. This updated RFA Olympic pin QSL includes artwork from JSWC member, Mr. Kim-Yeong IL, who was a professional painter and designed many JSWC QSL cards before passing earlier this year.

RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a 'surrogate' broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org.

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener. RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX'ers, but also from its general listening audience.

Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:
Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.

Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TDP DRM Log 15775 23 Aug 2012


2012-08-23: Heard TDP in DRM with DR111 790 on 15775 kHz from 15:50 UTC. Log: 0h39m. Avg SNR: 25 dB, 99.99% audio.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Newest DRM-Plotter with the Twitter function


Get the newest DRM-Plotter with the Twitter function from htttp://www.omnirep.se/drm/drmlogplot.html
Create the Tweet by a button-click and gets you to Twitter!
@TerjeIsberg via Twitter

Sunday, August 19, 2012

More power to the radio

Saritha Thomas grew up listening to radio. Her family, die-hard radio fans, would play recordings from Radio Ceylon to her. Naturally, she dreamt of working for nothing less than the BBC. That dream came true when she was 28 — she joined BBC World Service and Radio 4 London as a freelancer. But, she wanted to do something more, and the idea of Community Radio (CR) appealed to her.

More at :

Saturday, August 18, 2012

TDP DRM 15775 kHz 18 Aug 2012

2012-08-18: Heard The Disco Palace in DRM with DR111 790 on 15775 kHz from 15:47z. Log: 0h40m. Avg SNR: 23 dB, 99.98% audio.
"Label: ....................... The Disco Palace"
"Date: ........................ 2012-08-18"
"Frequency: ................... 15775 kHz"
"TX Location: ................. Issoudun (FRA)"
"Log start time: .............. 15:47"
"Log end time: ................ 16:27"
"Runtime: ..................... 40 min. "
"RX; Longitude: ............... 28°27'N"
"RX Latitude: ................. 77°19'E"
"Distance to TX: .............. 6685 km"
"Azimuth to TX: ............... 310 deg."
"Azimuth from TX: ............. 79 deg."
"RX Configuration: ............ Newstar DR111 + 60 Ft Longwire, New Delhi India "
"DRM Software and S/W Version: DR111 790"
"Bitrate at start: ............ 20.96 kbps"
"Mode / Bandwidth: ............ B / 10 kHz"
"DRM Mode: .................... B0010 from 15:47"
"Decoded Audio: ............... 99.98 %"
"FAC: ......................... 100.00 %"
"Main Service Channel: ........ 64 QAM"
"Protection Level: ............ 1 / 0"
"Max. SNR: .................... 25.00 dB at 16:27 UTC"
"Min. SNR: .................... 19.00 dB at 16:06 UTC"
"Average SNR: ................. 22.88 dB"
"Max. Delay: .................. 7.90 ms at 16:15 UTC"
"Min. Delay: .................. 2.05 ms at 16:22 UTC"
"Average Delay: ............... 2.74 ms"
"Max. Doppler: ................ 0.91 Hz at 15:47 UTC"
"Max. Doppler: ................ 0.36 Hz at 16:27 UTC"
"Average Doppler: ............. 0.49 Hz"
"Frame Sync. Ch. Errors: ...... 0"
"Fast Access Sync. Ch. Errors: 0"
"Main Service Ch. Errors: ..... 6"

Comments at alokeshgupta@gmail.com

All India Rado VBS DRM 6100 kHz 18 Aug 2012


2012-08-18: Heard All India Radio VIVIDH BHARTI in DRM with DR111 790 on 6100 kHz from 10:41 UTC Log: 1h18m. Avg SNR: 23 dB, 99.94 % audio.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Vatican Rado DRM 17815 kHz 15/16th Aug 2012


2012-08-16: Heard Vatican Radio in DRM with DR111 790 on 17815 kHz from 15:28. Log: 0h20m. Avg SNR: 19 dB, 99.92% audio.

Vatican Radio DRM 17815 kHz 1536 UTC 15 Aug 2012 Video

Thursday, August 16, 2012

DRM India Chapter Noticeboard August 2012

DRM India Chapter Noticeboard August 2012 edition is now available at :

http://tinyurl.com/d4jtk2z

Main Stories :

- DRM/ABU Emergency Warning Webinar a great success!
- DRM Technical Committee meeting – 25th July
- Behind the scenes at the All India Radio Rajkot transmitter site
- HCJB Australia
- International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2012
- Newstar announce firmware update for the DR111 DRM receiver
- What are the benefits of digital AM for the listener?

Oman Radio programmes attract wider audience

With a glut of diverse audio programmes, the Oman Radio 90.4 FM, the English language service under the Public Authority of Radio and Television has been reaching a multitude of audience this Ramadhan. "Whether they are on the move, in office, or at home, our listener base is on the rise especially in Ramadhan", says Salim Mohammed al Gammari, Director of Foreign Programmes, Public Authority of Radio and Television.

More at :

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

DRM LOG - THE DISCO PALACE 15775 14 AUG 2012


2012-08-14: Heard The Disco Palace in DRM with DR111 790 on 15775 kHz from 15:59 UTC Log: 0h30m. Avg SNR: 24 dB, 99.99% audio.

Ex BBC Director General Mark Thomson is now President/CEO at The New York Times

The New York Times Company has tapped BBC Director-General Mark Thompson as its new president and CEO after an eight-month search.

More at :


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Happy Independence Day !


It's been 65 years since India got freedom, Let's Celebrate Our Independence, Happy Independence Day !!

Christian Vision closes its Chile SW transmitter site

SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ --
Christian Vision will officially stop its short wave service to Latin America on August 17th, 2012, due to declining listenership. Christian Vision purchased the property and transmissions equipment Located in Calera de Tango, Chile, in August of 1996. In February of 1998, it received its license to transmit from Chilean regulator Subtel and on November 1st of the same year, Voz Cristiana was officially launched and began transmitting four radio services to Latin America.

More at :
http://www.hola-arkansas.com/noticiashispanicprwire/22504/christian-media-ministry-stops-shortwave-transmissions-to-latin

(Dave Jeffery via IDXCI FB Group)

More info about CVC Chile transmitter site .... http://www.cvclavoz.cl/english/techinfo.html

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Australian Shortwave Station Boosts Power, Clarity of Radio Signal at New Site


(Aug. 10, 2012 - by Harold Goerzen)
Countless thousands of potential radio listeners in HCJB Global's Asia Pacific Region have access to a clearer, more powerful signal as a result of a seven-year project to move the transmissions to a new shortwave facility in Australia late last month.
"I'm very excited to let you know that on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 24, we began permanent transmissions from our new international broadcasting facility," said Dale Stagg, chief executive officer of HCJB Global-Australia.

"With a stronger signal and a better antenna design, we look forward [to listeners' responses] with great anticipation. Please continue to pray with us as we seek to reach the unreached of this region with the good news of Jesus."
While broadcasts from the international broadcasting facility in Kununurra, a town of 7,000 on the northern edge of Western Australia, began in 2003, the original site was fraught with restrictions, limiting the broadcasts. Antenna height, for example, was limited to 40 meters (131 feet) because of the facility's proximity to the local airport.

A parabolic curtain antenna, formerly used by Radio Station HCJB in Pifo, Ecuador, is being installed with modifications at the new site with towers as high as 417 feet—four times the height of the tallest antenna at the original site.

The new site is called "Lot 3000," a 1,250-acre parcel of land that was granted to HCJB Global-Australia in 2005 on a long-term lease from the state government. "It lies approximately two miles west of the existing site and, crucially, outside of the airport restrictions," explained Site Manager Peter Michalke.

Opening the new site meant overcoming numerous obstacles such as obtaining use of the government land, the granting of native title approval that allowed electricity supply to be connected to Lot 3000, getting power from the grid to the new site, building a road and causeway that allowed access to the new site, and even acquiring an antenna originally purchased by Croatia for communist propaganda but never commissioned.

"God's provision been truly remarkable," Stagg related. "The doors He caused to be opened during this time, well, you just shake your head in wonder. God raised up people both locally and internationally that have made vital contributions to the project and continue to do so."

While the old site will eventually be decommissioned, it will continue to house one HC100 (HCJB Global 100,000-watt shortwave transmitter) during a transitional period of several months. The original site is also home to administration offices, accommodations for volunteers and maintenance facilities.

"We will maintain a back-up facility for a few months but, to all intents and purposes, we have relocated and our new antennas are now in operation," Stagg said. "Meanwhile, a third HC100 is being refurbished at the HCJB Global Technology Centre in Elkhart, Ind. When complete, it will be both analog and digital (DRM) capable."

DRM will be invaluable for broadcasting to places such as India, a country of 1.2 billion people, where the digital technology has been adopted as the nation's main communication network to the rural masses. "In spite of the giant leap forward of other technologies, shortwave broadcasting still has at least a medium term future in South and Southeast Asia," added Derek Kickbush, program manager for HCJB Global-Australia.

"There are still developing countries in the region where, in some places, there are no local media services and shortwave remains the only viable option."

The site in Kununurra is broadcasting the gospel in 23 languages (including English) into East Asia, South and Southeast Asia "which along with Africa has been one of the most heavily serviced shortwave targets in the world of international broadcasters—and remains so," Kickbush explained.

"It's a great moment to hear that HCJB Global-Australia is on the air from its new long-anticipated shortwave broadcast facility in Kununurra," concluded Asia Pacific Director Ty Stakes. "We're excited about the opportunities to deliver strategic programming to unreached peoples in the region afforded by this facility. Join us in praying for new program production partnerships with indigenous groups, and growing impact for the kingdom of Jesus through the ministry of HCJB Global-Australia."

Source: HCJB Global
(HCJB Global News Update for Week of Aug. 6-10, 2012)

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Now, the real news

How many of you listen to the radio? Very few, I expect. I’m not sure what the FM figures are but the station names suggest the programming is for teenagers. Adult audiences don’t seem to be catered for.

More at .....

Watch out for Perseids meteor showers on Sunday

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Sky gazers can look forward to an exhibition of celestial fireworks as the night sky will be lit up by Perseids meteor showers that are expected to peak Sunday. At its peak, one can see as many as 60 meteors streak across the skies in an hour. An outstanding view of Perseids meteor shower is on the cards this weekend on the nights from Aug 12-14.
More at :
Related News :
TOI : Don't miss the celestial spectacle on Sunday

Updated info about meteor showers at :

Meteor showers and FM Dxing
Observing the Leonids by Car Radio

Meteor Showers and FM Commercial Band (88-108 MHz)
(Look at 4.2.7)

Friday, August 10, 2012

Shortwave Radio Reception with the RTL-SDR Dongle

Interesting story from KF7LZE's Blog....

http://blog.kf7lze.net/2012/08/06/shortwave-radio-reception-with-the-rtl-sdr-dongle/

Newstar announces firmware update for its DRM receiver DR111

Newstar has announced latest firmware update for the DR111 DRM receiver. Beginning August, 2012 Newstar will begin shipping DR111 receivers with the new firmware. Older receivers can be upgraded to the new firmware version.

What’s New?

The new version v790 supports the following added features:
DRM recording and playback.
DRM reception logging.
DRM expert mode.

For the firmware update and release notes please check out the DR111 support and download page.

If you experience any issues with this firmware, please report them to infoquery@cdnse.com.

(Haochun LIU, CEO, Chengdu NewStar Electronics)
Web: www.cdnse.com

Firmware Upgrade Version 790
Resolved Issues:
*[NEW] DRM logging support
*[NEW] Add DRM recording and playback feature
*[NEW] Add DRM expert mode
*[IMPROVED] Improved volume control method
*[IMPROVED] Output noise when receive very low AM signal, no muting
*[IMPROVED] SD card hot-plug operations
*[IMPROVED] Improved AGC tracking algorithm due to the fading channel and reduced the audio pumping effect
*[IMPROVED] Improve AM THD with high modulation level [60%]
*[IMPROVED] AM instant tunning, no muting
*[IMPROVED] New music file format supported [wav, flac]
*[IMPROVED] Play music folder and file in alpha-numeric order
*[IMPROVED] Auto scan the music folder, no need to do it manually
*[IMPROVED] Display filename in audio playback
*[IMPROVED] Manual tuning speed
*[BUG] Fix bug in RDS message display
*[BUG] Bug in music play, DRM expert info display
*[BUG] Other minor


DR111 Screenshots .....





Expert Mode

Log plot of BBC English 5845 kHz on 9th Aug 2012 using DR111 DRM receiver

Monday, August 06, 2012

IIT Rajasthan and National Instruments India Collaborate on Next-Generation Radio IP to Enable Digital-Quality AM Reception for Rural India

Faculty and students at the Indian Institute of Technology Rajasthan (IITR), in association with National Instruments India, have developed the Intellectual Property (IP) for a Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)-based Transmitter. This broadcasting system, developed by the international DRM consortium, has been proposed as a high-quality digital replacement for analogous broadcasting in AM and FM/VHF bands. It offers listeners a wide range of programming, with enhanced audio performance and multimedia services, like broadcasting text, slide shows of still and animated images, electronic newspapers, and weather and traffic information. The technology makes it possible for rural and remote parts of India to access both local and international transmissions.

More at :

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

DRM+ Tested in More Countries

The years of hard work on DRM seem to be reaching critical mass, according to Hal Kneller, a regional sales manager for Nautel who’s also a member of the DRM executive board.
“With important news out of India where shortwave and medium-wave [AM] rollouts are underway, as the entire country converts to DRM, the consortium is confident that India will create a huge market for receiver manufacturers.

More at :


Digital Radio Worldwide, Explored

by Daniel Mansergh
Even over this relatively short period of time, we can learn a lot from the introduction of digital radio services in other parts of the world. Notable successes and stories of digital stagnation offer their lessons, which emerge from a comprehensive study of test reports, press releases and government data to give us a sense of the state of digital radio worldwide.

More at :