Silicon Labs introduces new hybrid software-defined radio automotive tuner supporting Digital Radio Mondiale

Silicon Labs introduces new hybrid software-defined radio automotive tuner Si479x7 supporting the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard

http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics/silicon-labs-enhances-si479xx-automotive-tuner-family-with-sdr-technology/217857/

  

Sentech Shuts Meyerton Shortwave Site

Sentech Shuts Meyerton Shortwave Site

South Africa-based public broadcast signal distributor, Sentech, shutdown its shortwave station in Meyerton at the end of March. The closure was planned and follows years of financial losses.

Full story at :

https://www.radioworld.com/global/meyerton-shortwave-shuts

KTWR Guam to start regular DRM transmissions

KTWR is about to start regular DRM broadcasts to four different areas. There will be broadcasts one day per week to each of four areas starting 5 August 2019. They will be working with the content server parameters to come up with the best compromise settings for each area. Each week will have different settings. KTWR will  really appreciate your feedback for as many weeks as possible. Your assistance will ultimately help give your fellow listeners the best possible reception in the long run. For now, all programs will be in English.

The schedule will be as follows, starting the week of 5 August through the end of the A19 broadcast season:

Day                 Freq                Time                  Region                   Power

Monday         11580kHz   1215-1245 UTC   South Asia               90kW

Tuesday         11995kHz   1026-1056 UTC   ANZ/South Pacific  50kW

Wednesday    11995kHz   1026-1056 UTC   China                       50kW

Thursday       11995kHz   1026-1056 UTC   Japan/Korea             50kW

DD’s TV transmitters to now be All India Radio set ups

Closed TV transmitter set ups of the Doordarshan will now be turned to All India Radio set ups by the Prasar Bharati as part of its efforts to rationalise its set ups.

More here :

http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2019/jul/14/dds-tv-transmitters-to-now-be-air-set-ups-2003677.html

New updates for SDR#, libairspyhf and Airspy HF+ (Discovery) Firmware

Airspy has announced the latest releases of SDR# r1702, libairspyhf r1.5.0 and Airspy HF+ Firmware r2.4.0. 

Here's a summary of the changes:

The FM Stereo flag was added in the SDR# API: FmPilotIsDetected.

A new experimental Low-IF mode at a lower sample rate (256ksps IQ) was added across the chain to allow portable devices to operate smoothly without requiring further DC/IQ correction or frequency translation. This mode is considered "experimental" because the AGC has yet to be optimized to accommodate for the smaller bandwidth, but it is already usable as-is with the AGC always on. 

For the curious types, 256ksps Low-IF was obtained by shifting the IF, adding a narrower channel filter and decimating 768ksps by 3. This gives a wonderful number that is a multiple of a known sound card standard rate: 32kHz.

The IQ streaming and command handling were optimized to allow all of this processing to happen. A positive side effect is that the streaming is no longer interrupted by the commands (set frequency, gain, etc.) - and this one is not experimental.

SDR# r1.0.0.1702 : https://airspy.com/download

libairspyhf r1.5.0: https://github.com/airspy/airspyhf/tree/master

HF+ Firmware R2.0.4 : https://airspy.com/downloads/airspy-hf-flash-20190708-bb.zip

All India Radio Urdu Haj Service From 12th July

Date – From 12th Jul to 9th Sep

Time 1100-1130 Hrs. (IST)

Programme – Special Service is Urdu for Haj Pilgrims

Short Wave – 11560 kHz 15210 kHz  

More at : https://hajinfo.in/haj-india-radio-urdu-service-12th-july-5234.html

Frequency changes of CNR-1 in DRM mode from July 3

Frequency changes of CNR-1 in DRM mode from July 3

0000-0400 NF 13850 QIQ 030 kW / 225 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 17800

0400-0900 NF 11990 QIQ 030 kW / 225 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 15735

0900-1200 on 13710 QIQ 030 kW / 225 deg to EaAs Chinese add.freq

(Via Ivo Ivanov)

KBS World Radio English Service Tests starting 4th July 2019

Hello Listeners,

We are delighted to announce that our shortwave transmission from Kimje, South Korea will be normalized after a three week test transmission starting at 0400 UTC on July 8th, 2019. We thank you for your patience during the past year.  

Our English programming on 9785 kHz that was initially moved to 1800-2100 UTC due to a transmitter problem will be back on 1400-1700 UTC at a stronger output of 250 kW.  

Listeners who tune into our programs on 11810 kHz and 15575 kHz can also expect to enjoy better reception since the current 100 kW transmitter will be replaced by a 250 kW transmitter.

Please be sure to tune into KBS World Radio during the test transmission period and send us your reception reports. Your feedback will help us find ways to improve your listening experience.  

Thank you!

KBS World Radio English Service