Indian Amateur Radio Operators help in disaster relief after floods

Members of National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Hyderabad are currently  providing emergency communications in the flood effected Uttarakhand  state, North India. The operating frequencies are 7073 kHz LSB &  14160 kHz USB. Callsigns are VU2JOS, VU2MCW, VU3NUG, VU3CFN

Relief & rescue operation website of Uttarakhand Govt :  http://dms.uk.gov.in/

 

News reports :

 

HAM radio operator 'links up' Uttarakhand and W Bengal

Ravik Bhattacharya , Hindustan Times  Kolkata, June 26, 2013

 

Sitting in his 8ft by 10ft dingy room in the Kolkata suburb of Sodepur, a junior employee of a dairy firm armed with a small, black, ungainly kit, has emerged as a ray of hope for dozens of families of missing persons in disaster-ravaged Uttarakhand.

More at :  http://tinyurl.com/ndmocoa

 

 

Hams from Hyderabad aiding rescue ops

TNN | Jun 27, 2013, 02.00 AM IST

 

HYDERABAD: VU2JOS is on the job. And so is VU2MCW. Two hams, amateur radio operators, are volunteering in the rescue operations in Uttarakhand. The National Institute of Amateur Radio (Niar) in the city has jumped into action to assist the administration in establishing contact at places which are difficult to access.

 

More at :

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Hams-from-Hyderabad-aiding-rescue-ops/articleshow/20787968.cms

 

Community Radio gives voice to Uttarakhand victims

RnM Team    26 Jun 13 17:28 IST 

 

MUMBAI: Heaving pouring in Uttarakhand has made the rescue operation complicated, but at this difficult time, flow of information has become an important task. Gram Vaani has set up free Mobile Vaani for each of the three community radio stations (CRS)- Kumaon Vani (Mukteshwar), Mandakini Ki Awaz (Rudraprayag) and Henvalvani (Chamba Valley) in the flood affected region.

 

More at : 

http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/community-radio-gives-voice-uttarakhand-victims

RTI 85th Anniversary Celebration

To celebrate RTI's 85th anniversary, the radio station is inviting listeners from all over the world to take pictures of themselves holding the "RTI 85" logo in front of famous landmarks. Listeners can also record a celebratory message (audio or video) and upload it to RTI 85 facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rti85 or send it to the email address indicated in the link below. Submissions will be entered in a lottery and selected contributions will be used as part of a special digital exhibition.

More at :

http://www.rti.org.tw/ajax/2013/2013_EveryWhere/en/

DRM Consortium free Webinar on 24th June –“From FM to digital - The flexible and economical way”

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium experts will present and answer questions on June 24th from 1230 to 1330 GMT/UTC on why DRM (in its DRM+ mode) is an excellent solution for public, commercial and community stations. Senior DRM members will present the DRM+ special features, highlight some of the DRM+ practical lessons from Norway, France etc. and give answers to some practical questions on the subject.

Eivind Engberg, Chief Engineer at Radio Metro, Norway, one of the panellists says: "We have just run a successful DRM+ trial in Norway which demonstrated how the DRM technology can perfectly fit within the Norwegian radio digital landscape. DRM+ can help medium-sized and smaller station operating in the FM band to move to the next level with confidence and operational savings."

Ruxandra Obreja, Chair of the DRM Consortium, thinks that: "It is crucial for all broadcasters, regulators, manufacturers and everyone involved in shaping the digital future of their country to consider DRM+ for the FM digitisation. DRM is the only global, green, open standard operating in all frequency bands efficiently and flexibly."

If you want to join this free webinar and receive the latest information from DRM experts, you can already address your questions to: projectoffice@drm.org or ask your questions during the webinar. All confirmed registrants will receive an e-mail before the webinar with the joining details. Please direct any questions or feedback to: projectoffice@drm.org

About Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRM)

Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital broadcasting system for all broadcasting frequencies below and above 30 MHz, including LW, MW, SW, band I, II (FM band) and band III. DRM provides digital sound quality and the ease-of-use that comes from digital radio, combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services.

DRM on short, medium and long wave for broadcasting bands up to 30 MHz (called 'DRM30') provides large coverage areas and low power consumption. The enhancement of the DRM standard for broadcast frequencies above 30 MHz ('DRM+') uses the same audio coding, data services, multiplexing and signalling schemes as DRM30 but introduces an additional transmission mode optimized for those bands.

 

For more information and DRM updates please visit www.drm.org or subscribe to DRM news by writing to pressoffice@drm.org

 

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DRM Consortium

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1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva

Switzerland

E-Mail: projectoffice@drm.org

Site for DRM: www.drm.org

(Press Release)

BBG Broadcasters Earn Record-Breaking Audience Topping 200 Million a Week Worldwide

VOA Spanish editor Ramon Taylor behind the scenes in 2012 U.S. international media's weekly audience has reached a new high of more than 203 million people thanks to substantial audience growth in Latin America for the Voice of America, innovations across digital media platforms, and expanded networks of distribution for award-winning news and information programs. These programs are produced around the clock for people around the globe in countries where the media are not entirely free.

The journalists supported by the Broadcasting Board of Governors continue to garner worldwide recognition for their high-quality reporting while the BBG solidifies new distribution avenues such as FM stations in South Sudan, Mali and Libya; TV affiliates in Burma and Russia; and digital content platforms such as SoundCloud, a smart phone app for audiences in Cuba, and SMS news service in Nigeria.

The latest audience measurement is an increase of 16 percent since the agency released official figures in November 2012, and has climbed from 165 million in 2010, a 23 percent gain.

"With dwindling federal resources, the BBG is proud to have reached a broader worldwide audience," said Michael Meehan, chairman of the agency's Strategy and Budget Committee. "In these tight fiscal times, breaking 200 million is a remarkable achievement. Then when you add a growing number of closed societies over the past decade, the feat is of an even greater magnitude."

Noteworthy audience growth has occurred in Latin America, where more than 26 million adults are now getting up-to-date news, analysis and other content from VOA each week. The increase in audience numbers is the result of expanding partnerships with local stations from Mexico to Chile that are making use of VOA's top-notch radio, TV and online reports and live, on-the-scene analysis of events in the United States and around the world.

 

Results from Gallup World Poll surveys in 16 Latin American countries from September through December 2012 estimate the combined weekly audience for VOA Spanish content at 26.7 million. The figure includes a weekly audience of 18.7 million on television, 16.2 million on radio, and 8.3 million on the Internet, including use of syndicated or reproduced content.

"Every day, people around the world count on our broadcasters to provide them with accurate news and diverse viewpoints, " said Governor Susan McCue. "These people are hungering for the high-quality journalism that our broadcasters provide."

BBG-supported broadcasters' outstanding journalism continues to earn accolades, including awards this week from the New York Festivals for investigative reporting in Iran, and in 2012 by the Association of International Broadcasters' for documentary work on human trafficking in Asia and a highly innovative teaching program to China, by the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) for reporting from Syria's war zone, as well as a Hong Kong Human Rights Press Award for reporting on child soldier recruitment in Burma.

(Press Release)

Nautel and Omnia Propose Industry Standard for MPX over AES

Award-winning technology first expressed as Omnia Direct to be opened up to industry.

Hacketts Cove, Nova Scotia and Cleveland, Ohio — After winning multiple awards at the recent NAB convention, manufacturers Nautel and Omnia are proposing that the digital composite interface developed by  the two companies be adopted as an industry standard.

The long sought after goal of a fully digital transmission chain which doesn't sacrifice loudness has now been realized due to the collaboration between Omnia and Nautel. Introduced as Omnia Direct, the technology permits a single AES-EBU cable between the Omnia 11 and the Nautel NV Series transmitter to carry the baseband signal in digital form. This 100% digital path eliminates the noise and distortion of A/D converters and reduces potential overshoots, while ensuring full FCC mask compliance. This direct digital transfer eliminates the need to use an analog composite signal, which prior to this collaboration was the only reliable way to ensure maximum modulation for station loudness.

Nautel and Omnia are now proposing that this technology be made available via an adopted industry standard to other processing and transmitter manufacturers. "By opening up the implementation details of this collaboration, it will give the industry an opportunity to develop interoperable solutions," said Peter Conlon, Nautel President and CEO. "Customers will have the choice of their transmitter and processor, and be able to use digital multiplex, and the industry can avoid the possibility of incompatible standards."

"Both of our companies are very excited about the ability to offer the digital equivalent of the analog BNC-to-BNC composite (MPX) connection, where we can take the output of the audio processor's stereo generator and couple it directly to the modulator of the exciter," said Frank Foti, Telos Alliance CEO and Omnia Audio founder. 

"Interest in this technology was overwhelming at NAB. Although both Omnia and Nautel expended a great deal of time, energy and resources in developing the interface, we feel it is important enough to the Radio industry to make it an open standard for all manufacturers."

At NAB, both Omnia and Nautel announced that the MPX over AES capability would be offered at no charge to their customers. 

Initially, the functionality is available on Nautel NV Series transmitters from 3.5kW to 44kW and the Omnia.11 processor. New transmitters are shipping with the feature as standard, and older NV series transmitters may be upgraded with the NV software release 4.0 which is now in controlled introduction.

(Press Release)

The future of AM bands

EBU tech-i, June 2013

http://www.nautel.com/in-the-news/the-future-of-the-am-bands/

BBC World Service resumes MW broadcasts to Israel

The BBC World Service has confirmed that MW transmissions to Israel and other parts of the Middle East will resume for 10hrs per day on 1323kHz starting on Friday 7 June.

This will give listeners breakfast listening and then drive-time and evening coverage from about 4pm to 10pm.

The morning hours are as 02:59:30 to 06:59:30 GMT and the evening schedule will be 12:59:30 – 18:59:30 GMT.

Steve Titherington, World Service Commissioning Editor, says: "We had a huge response to the end of MW transmissions in Israel and we are responding positively to listeners' demands for a return to of the BBC broadcasts. Cutbacks mean we can't return to a full day-long schedule, but we will broadcast at times when we hope audiences are most likely to listen. We want to thank our listeners for their feedback and would welcome any further comment they have about how suitable these new  broadcasting times are for tuning into the BBC World Service."

As previously announced four hours per day of World Service English will continue on 720 kHz until 22:59:30 on 21 June.

(BBC Press Office)

DRM brings digital radio to the world

The UK is a world leader in the development of digital radio, and as a result of big moves by UK based industry bodies, an expansion of digital radio across the world is already underway.

DRM, or Digital Radio Mondiale, is the only global open digital radio system which can be used in all frequency bands, and works seamlessly with other digital standards currently in use across the globe. The result is that a global standard in digital radio service has been achieved.

More at :  http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/12656

Greece suspends state broadcaster ERT to save money

The Greek government has shut down the public broadcaster ERT, calling it a "haven of waste".

 

All employees have been suspended pending a re-organisation. Thousands of people held a protest against the decision outside ERT headquarters.

Authorities confirmed that the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) had been formally disbanded, as transmissions gradually stopped on Tuesday night.

More at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22861577

 

Related :

 

Greeks shocked as broadcaster is shut to save money

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/11/greece-tv-idUKL5N0EN3JS20130611

 

EBU urges greek government to reverse decision on ERT

http://www3.ebu.ch/cms/en/sites/ebu/contents/news/2013/06/ebu-urges-greek-government-to-re.html

KTWR DRM TEST to Japan

KTWR DRM TEST to Japan

Date : June 14-15th, 2013
Time : 1228-1258 UTC
Frequency : 12040 kHz
Azimuth : 335 deg
Power : 75 kW
Language - Japanese

Expanding the Options for Digital AM

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai recently spoke at the the Missouri Association of Broadcasters' annual convention, where he repeated his call for the FCC to undertake an "AM Revitalization Initiative." Telling the assembled broadcasters that "you've got a friend in me," he again listed off the possible policy options to help the beleaguered band, one of which includes its complete digitalization.

If Pai is truly a friend of broadcasters and the public interest, and seriously considers digitalization a viable option for AM, he should open the inquiry to alternatives to HD Radio, such as Digital Radio

Mondiale (DRM).

More at : http://diymedia.net/archive/0613.htm#060613

Globally, Digital Radio Progresses

by T. Carter Ross

No longer an oddity, digital radio in many corners of the world is becoming an important part of the mediascape and a next step in the evolution of content delivery.

From maturing markets in Europe to a massive developing network in India, for digital radio broadcasting the focus is moving from tests and trials to implementation, promotion and growth.

http://www.radioworld.com/article/globally-digital-radio-progresses/219672

Jacobs Media Survey: Radio is Transitioning to Digital

According to Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs, "Techsurvey 9 shows that while gadgets and new media continue to occupy the headlines, radio's ability to uniquely connect with consumers on their preferred platforms is the secret sauce for future success in the digital space."

More at :

http://radiomagonline.com/currents/news/jacobs_media_survey_radio_is_transitioning_to_digital_0601/

Digital Is the Way Forward

by Ruxandra Obreja

Notwithstanding the various degrees of success of the three major standards (DRM, DAB/DAB+ and HD Radio), the only way forward for audiobroadcasting can be digital.

Read the RadioWorld article here :

http://www.radioworld.com/article/digital-is-the-way-forward/219649

Receiving DRM30 using using cheap DVB-T dongle

DRM enthusiast from Gurgaon, Anurag Aggarwal 's step by step guide to receive DRM30 using cheap DVB-T dongle has got rave reviews from the Dream Project team and now part of Dream Wiki page - drm.sourceforge dot net !!

Article written overnight for the DRM India chapter newsletter can be accessed at :

http://drm.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/RTL2832U_Guidance

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/drm/index.php?title=RTL2832U_Guidance

Download link for pdf version : http://tinyurl.com/nnbzdfp

Here are few screenshots from my shack :

                                                                    All India Radio VBS

                                                      BBC World Service with Journaline

                                                      BBC World Service with Journaline

Vatican Radio

First ever public demonstration of full-featured DRM software radio

At the National Conference of the Norwegian Community stations (in Trondheim) the DRM Consortium together with its Norwegian partner Twentyfirst Venture AS featured live DRM+ transmissions. These were received on the Fraunhofer DRM MultimediaPlayer in combination with FUNcube USB stick, a global first.

 

More at :  http://www.drm.org/?p=2136

 

(Source : DRM Consortium)