More AIR External services broadcasts back on air

More All India radio External Service broadcasts expected to be back on air by 7th Feb'21, actual monitoring needed.

UTC        IST      LANGUAGE SERVICE FREQ       TXER SITE

-------------------------------------------------------------

2345-0115 0515-0645 CHINESE   WS I  13695  BENGALURU

0300-0400 0830-0930 BALUCHI   NS I  9950   KINGSWAY,DELHI

0245-0345 0815-0915 BURMESE   NS II 15030  KINGSWAY,DELHI

0500-0600 1030-1130 ARABIC(1) WS I  15030  BENGALURU

1045-1200 1615-1730 TIBETAN   WS I  11560  KINGSWAY,DELHI

1215-1315 1745-1845 SWAHILI   WS I  15030  BENGALURU

1930-2030 0100-0200 FRENCH    WS II 9620   BENGALURU (DRM)

E-Tenders invited for AIR Kurseong 50 kW AM DRM SW Transmitter

             Photo courtesy : http://airddfamily.blogspot.com/2019/06/air-kurseong-57th-anniversary-2nd-june.html

Prasar Bharati has invited E-Tenders for Supply,Testing and Commissioning of 50 kW AM DRM SW Transmitter at All India Radio, Kurseong.

Details here :  http://prasarbharati.gov.in/tenders/Engineering_258282.pdf

Earlier budgetary cost estimation and comments in respect of Draft Technical Specifications were invited from vendors/OEM's during March'2020.

Details here :

http://prasarbharati.gov.in/tenders/Engineering_765404.pdf

http://prasarbharati.gov.in/tenders/Engineering_950145.pdf

Shortwave transmissions by All India Radio, Kursong were terminated on 30th July, 2019 and decommissioned with effect from 7th August , 2019. They are now on FM 103.5 MHz, 10 kW and 102.3 MHz, 5 kW. They used to operate on 3355, 4895, 7230 kHz, with the following SW transmitters:

1st SW transmitter - Temporary 2 kW SW - June 2, 1962.  

Gates Model HF20BX 20 kW SW - January 1963.

BEL Model HHB144 50 kW SW - 1995

However during Aug'2019 local officials and MP had requested to replace the existing shortwave transmitter with a new 300 kW DRM transmitter.

Plea on hill radio station

http://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2019/08/plea-on-hill-radio-station.html

Upgrade for hill AIR station

http://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2019/11/upgrade-for-hill-air-station.html

https://tinyurl.com/y6qvv738

On 22nd Nov, 2019 the Minister of Information and Broadcasting informed in Parliament that project for replacement of old SW transmitter with a new one has been approved.

http://164.100.24.220/loksabhaquestions/annex/172/AU958.pdf  

Interestingly AIR Kurseong will be using NVIS antenna which is most effective in mountainous areas where line-of-sight propagation is ineffective & has coverage area of 500-800 kms.

About NVIS antenna :  https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/ionospheric/nvis-near-vertical-incidence-skywave.php

New AIR SW DRM test schedule via Bengaluru

New AIR SW DRM test schedule via Bengaluru wef 31st July'20 : 

1000-1010 UTC 15410 kHz to NE Asia
1145-1155 UTC 15030 kHz to NE Asia 
1745-1755 UTC 7550 kHz to Europe

Reception reports to : drmofallindiaradio@gmail.com

(Via Jose Jacob)  

Latest info on All India Radio

Updates on All India Radio - External and Home services 

As reported earlier, transmissions of AIR External Services are suspended from 24 March 2020 due to national lockdown. The national lock down in India has been extended to 3rd May 2020.
Hence the External Services of All India Radio is expected to resume transmissions only after that.

Only the following External Service has resumed transmission from 12 April 2020:
Tamil 1115-1215 UTC 7270 kHz via Chennai to Sri Lanka /SE Asia

However new Digital Channel of All India Radio External Service is now available on YouTube as per below :

0600-0630 UTC Hindi Transmission 1   (1130 am to 12.00 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpDd2xJrNQKWAmfWjXhZgbw

0830-0900 UTC Urdu Transmission 1 (2.00 to 2.30 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3E4dwKhE0OYvakWuKlD4g

1400-1430 UTC English Transmission 1   (7.30 to 8.00 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE_P_fj1EMu0PO7lf4v6IA

1435-1505 UTC Hindi Transmission 2   (8.05 pm to 8.35 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpDd2xJrNQKWAmfWjXhZgbw

1515-1545 UTC Urdu Transmission 2 (8.45 to 9.15 pm  IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3E4dwKhE0OYvakWuKlD4g

1600-1630 UTC English Transmission 2 (9.30 to 10.30 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE_P_fj1EMu0PO7lf4v6IA

Tests on External Service transmitters are noted occasionally eg:

594 kHz Chinsurah 1000 kW (Around 1730-1830 UTC)
Bengaluru 500 kW on 6110, 7550 (DRM), 9690, 9865, 9950, 11560, 17510 etc. at various times especially at around 1330-1430 UTC
Delhi 100 kW 9950, 11620

Home Services:

Since the national lock down, programs of all stations of AIR has changed with more emphasis on news including new and extended bulletins. Several stations are noted relaying Vividh Bharati Service (Entertainment Channel) from Mumbai instead of regular programs.

AIR Mumbai is noted now operating continuously at night on MW as follows instead of signing off around midnight:
558 kHz 100 kW  Vividh Bharati channel
1044 kHz 100 kW AIR Live news 24x7 channel

Live streaming of most stations of AIR is available in "Live Radio" in  http://prasarbharati.gov.in/

The updated complete SW service of AIR in Frequency order is available in: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio , Hyderabad, India)
 

All India Radio curtails it's services due to lock down in India

On 22nd March, 2020 Government of India announced complete lockdown in 75 cities all across India upto 31st March, in a bid to contain the further spread of the Covid-19 virus . It's an unprecedented situation wherein except essential services, all shops, offices,factories are closed and prohibitory orders issued for general public.

In view of this following orders have been being issued with immediate effect across all stations of All India Radio :

1. The national spectrum of broadcast will be limited to Vividh Bharati Service originating from VBS Mumbai and News Services originating from AIR Delhi.

2. Regional services can relay content as related to above ( SL number 1) with local news, subject to feasibility.

3. All National Programmes of Spoken Word, Music, Sports & other categories stand cancelled till further orders.

4. All other services of All India Radio stands in abeyance until further orders.

5. All ESD (External Service Division) services and all transmitters dedicated to ESD stands suspended with immediate effect.

6. All Pure DRM mode operations suspended, DRM transmitters may be operated on analogue / simulcast mode to relay the National News Service subject to local circumstances and conditions

(Alokesh Gupta) 

DRM - One of the highlights of the International BES Expo 2020

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) – One of the Highlights of the International BES Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi

The DRM Consortium highlighted its recent achievements under the overarching theme "DRM for India - Smart Radio for ALL" at the 26th edition of the international BES (Broadcast Engineering Society – www.besindia.co.in) conference and exhibition (BES EXPO 2020) on Broadcast & Media Technology, in Halls 7ABC&E, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India, 13-15 February 2020.  

The not-for-profit DRM Consortium (www.drm.org) and some of its Indian and international members and partners (including Fraunhofer IIS, Gospell Digital Technologies, Inntot Technologies, NXP, RFmondial, Starwaves, Dolby etc.) welcomed all visitors at Hall 7A – Booths 61 and 49, a larger and more visible presence than ever before. Visitors could see and experience live AIR broadcasts in pure DRM on the variety of receivers on display. They ranged from very low-cost "tuk-tuk" type receivers to full-feature DRM sets complemented by automotive solutions able to receive locally generated DRM in the FM band with live emergency warning functionality.

The efficiency of DRM digital FM broadcasts was highlighted through a demo that showcased the combination of up to 6 independent DRM signals onto a single FM transmitter – providing 12 to 18 audio services plus multimedia content with shared infrastructure cost. The DRM Digital FM solution for the Indian FM broadcasters is fully compatible with both the existing analogue FM services as well as with AIR's existing DRM AM-band transmissions in India.

Visitors could also experience a public display signage demonstration that gives information based on a live DRM Journaline advanced text service. During times of emergency, the public screen becomes a public alert station with full volume audio and visual emergency information.

Another innovation was the online monitoring of the live DRM content of selected transmitters from all over India, allowing both technical and editorial staff to monitor DRM in real time.

For the first time at BES, Nautel, one of the key Consortium members, hosted a DRM event giving an update on DRM latest developments and improvements. This was the ideal opportunity to announce the winner of the DRM Enterprise Award 2019, the Southern Indian company Inntot Technologies, developer of Indian solutions for the automotive and standalone receivers.

The BES conference underlined some of the new things shown in the exhibition hall. They focused on the increased opportunities for enhancing the radio business with DRM, as well as very efficient ways of sharing the DRM transmitter infrastructure. On the last day of the conference DRM led a panel discussion where representatives of AIR and the receiver industry debated the key requirements of a successful and complete DRM rollout in India.

According to Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, "India has made tremendous progress on the road to radio digitisation. A public launch date is now necessary to bring the benefits of DRM in all bands to the whole Indian population on receivers in cars and in standalone receivers at prices that are affordable to increasing numbers of listeners. "

(Press Release)

All India Radio extends transmission hours in Pure DRM mode

With effect from 27th Jan, 2020, All India Radio has increased its transmission hours for MW DRM ( Digital Radio Mondiale) transmitters and will transmit in pure DRM mode as per below timings :

0900-1100 IST ( 0330-0530 UTC)

1500-1800 IST (0930-1230 UTC)

Places where there are two DRM transmitters, one DRM transmitter will operate in pure DRM mode.

Please submit your reception reports to : spectrum-manager@air.org.in

All India Radio (AIR), the public service broadcaster in India, has adopted the international DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) standard for the digital terrestrial radio transmissions in the MW and SW bands. DRM allows for multiple FM-like radio services plus associated data such as multi-lingual news articles to be carried in place of or as an extension to the former analogue radio services, while maintaining the large-area service coverage of the AM bands.

35 MW transmitters of AIR, of power ranging from 20 kW to 1000 kW, continue to operate in DRM – 2 of these in pure DRM and 33 in simulcast. 25 of these are working in pure DRM daily for one hour. 2 SW transmitters are also carrying services on DRM.Two more transmitters, 100 kW each, are under trial in Delhi and these are expected to be operational soon. 

Digital Radio Mondiale endorses & exhibits at international BES conference & exhibition in New Delhi

The DRM Consortium will highlight its recent achievements under the overarching theme "DRM Drives Forward" at the international BES (Broadcast Engineering Society –  www.besindia.co.in) conference and exhibition BES EXPO 2019 on terrestrial and satellite broadcasting at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi 110002, India, 17-19 January 2019.  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 some of its Indian and international members and partners (including BBC, Communication Systems Inc., Fraunhofer IIS, Gospell Digital Technologies, GeekSynergy, Inntot Technologies, NXP, RFmondial), will welcome all visitors at booths 72 and 73 (in Hall 7B), ready to present the latest DRM receiver models and solutions as well as letting visitors experience a live DRM transmission for local coverage.  Visitors will be able to learn more about the latest DRM encoder equipment with full CAP compliance able to support the roll out of DRM Emergency Warning Functionality in India.

A three-day conference on the theme "Next Generation Broadcasting in the IT World" will be held in parallel with the exhibition and will include three DRM sessions. One of these will be a panel discussion on the successes and next steps necessary for getting receivers to the population in parallel with the introduction of DRM transmissions in the country.

According to Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman: "As the DRM All India Radio roll-out makes India potentially the largest digital radio market in the world, the DRM Consortium is keen to showcase the many benefits of DRM emphasising its local coverage potential. Digital radio DRM is already showing its superiority, as its features and benefits overtake anything the analogue mode can provide. Using the full DRM standard in both AM and FM is the only way to make it attractive to the Indian listeners, to the whole country engaged on the digital path."

(Press Release)

Presentation on DRM by Pune hams on 9th Sept

Amateur Radio enthusiasts from Pune will meet on Sunday, 9th Sept in hall above Hotel Kollage at 10:30 AM. Mr Ashok Kale, Asst Director (E) from All India Radio, Pune will deliver a presentation on Digital Radio Mondiale.

Brief synopsis on 'DRM Radio Broadcasting

The 'Digitalization' is the buzzword. In the field of Radio Broadcasting, the Digitalization is happening in phases at various segments of production, distribution  and transmission worldwide. In many of the  developed countries this is complete & traditional analog transmission systems  are being switched off or phased out. Worldwide there are three Radio broadcast standards/Technologies (DAB/HD/DRM) which have been adopted along with few proprietary implementations in some countries. In our country we have adopted DRM Radio standards for MW and SW Broadcasts is being implemented in a big way.

All India Radio, Pune has already commissioned DRM transmitter for it's MW Channel and broadcasting regularly in simulcast mode (Analog + Digital). It also broadcasts in full DRM mode, as test transmission on its 792 kHz frequency with two stereo signals and data services like Journaline, EPG etc.

Features of various digital radio technologies with special focus on DRM, benefits to various stakeholders (Govt., Broadcasters, Listeners), it's implementation status  in India, DRM Receiver availability/status  and associated issues will be discussed briefly during the presentation.

         

(Source : "Pune Hams" FB group)

Updated AIR Bangalore SW DRM schedule

All India Radio, Bangalore which has re-commissioned its 500 KW DRM SW transmitter with effect from 3rd August, 2018 started limited DRM transmissions has now expanded its SW DRM schedule with effect from 28th Aug, 2018.

Download the AIR Bengaluru DRM A18 schedule effective from 28th August, 2018 using this link :

https://tinyurl.com/yach8jmj

All India Radio, Bangalore back with DRM SW transmissions

All India Radio, Bangalore has re-commissioned its 500 KW DRM SW transmitter with effect from 3rd August, 2018. DRM transmissions were off air since 27th Feb 2017 due the main tube failed.

Tentative schedule in DRM mode :

European Beam at 320 deg

1820-2230 UTC (2350-0400 IST) - 7550 kHz

Japanese beam at 90 deg

2245-0045 UTC (0415-0615 IST) - 7550 kHz

Please monitor and post your reception reports to : rajendiran45@yahoo.com and 

spectrum-manager@air.org.in

AIR DRM TEST on 11620kHz - Extended for 5th July

All India Radio, Kingsway, Delhi #DRM test extended for a day, on 5th July at 0400-0600 UTC (0930-1130 IST) 11620 kHz to eastern India. 

Reception reports to : spectrum-manager@air.org.in

(Via Alok Dasgupta)

All India Radio, Delhi DRM test using the 2nd new 100 kW transmitter

All India Radio is going to test DRM broadcast with FM Gold program from their 2nd new 100 kW transmitter at Kingsway, New Delhi at 0400-0600 UTC (0930-1130 IST) on 7505 kHz towards eastern India between 2nd July and 4th July (3 days).

(Alok Dasgupta,Kolkata)

AIR Chennai to mark 80 years of service with special programmes

All-India Radio, Chennai, will celebrate completion of 80 years of service as a public broadcaster on Saturday, June 16. Established in 1938, it has the distinction of being one of the six AIR stations operational at the time of Independence.

AIR started with two channels and now has six terrestrial and 3 DTH and Digital Radio Mondiale channels

Full story at :

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/air-chennai-to-mark-80-years-of-service-with-special-programmes/article24171246.ece

All India Radio Delhi DRM Tests on SW

All India Radio, Delhi will be testing the newly installed 100 kW SW transmitter in DRM Mode on June 5th & 6th, 2018 as per below schedule :

0400-0630 UTC (0930-1200 IST) on 9950 kHz beamed to S. India (Pure DRM Channel A Urdu Service, Channel B FM Rainbow.)

Reception reports appreciated and may be sent to : spectrum-manager@prasarbharati.gov.in

(Via Jose Jacob)

Reception Reports wanted by AIR Chennai

All India Radio, Chennai is looking for reception reports for their following broadcasts beamed towards Sri Lanka & SE Asia.

0000-0045  UTC Tamil 1053, 7270, 9835, 11740, 13795 kHz

1115-1215  UTC Tamil 1053, 7270, 13695 kHz

Note: Those understanding Tamil language may please send detailed comments on the programs heard.

Reports on DRM Transmissions from AIR Chennai on 729 kHz & 783 kHz are also appreciated.

Reception Reports may be sent to:

Dy Director General (Engg)

All India Radio, Myalpore, Chennai 600004

Email: airchennai4@gmail.com

QSLs will be issued.

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio , DX_India List)

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.

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

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

http://www.trai.gov.in/notifications/press-release/trai-releases-recommendations-issues-related-digital-radio-broadcasting

Direct link to download TRAI recommendation on digital radio

http://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Recommendation_Digital_Radio_01022018.pdf

Related  :

TRAI suggests auction of 200 kHz band for digital radio broadcast

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-suggests-auction-of-200-khz-band-for-digital-radio-broadcast-180201

Short Term Training on DRM Transmitter at HPT AIR PUNE

Two days training on DRM transmitter started today at 9:00 am at HPT AIR PUNE.This training was well organized by Smt. Sangeeta Upadhye(ADE), Shree H.P. Paradkar(A.E.) and Shree S.M. Chaudhary (A.E.) despite on short notice of a week. Total 20 engineers from west and south zone participating this training programme.

More at :

http://airddfamily.blogspot.in/2017/08/short-term-training-on-drm-transmitter.html

Largest DRM Deployment in the World Expanded with Six More Nautel Transmitters

All India Radio adds to massive digital radio deployment with four 100 kW and two 200 kW NX transmitters.

Hackett's Cove, Nova Scotia – Nautel Limited has shipped six additional high-power DRM-enabled MW transmitters for deployment at All India Radio, the largest digital broadcasting system in the world. Four 100 kW NX100 and two 200 kW NX200 transmitters were shipped to India in July 2017 for installation in six cities. The transmitters will be commissioned by Nautel's in-country partner Comcon in association with India's Prasar Bharati.

The July, 2017 shipment of 6 NX transmitters complements the 27 NX transmitters which are already on air with DRM transmission throughout India. The massive project has the goal of bringing digital radio to nearly a billion residents of the country. The new transmitters will be installed at All India Radio (AIR) facilities in Hyderabad, Jagdalpur, Vishakhapatnam, Bhawanipatna, Jeypore and Sambalpur. All 33 transmitters in the AIR project are configured for DRM30 operation.

Nautel NX high power transmitters occupy a very small footprint and offer the industry's highest efficiency (90%) along with AM precorrection, unmatched linearity and Nautel's exclusive, award-winning Advanced User Interface which provides commercial grade instrumentation, spectrum analyzer, logging, presets, local and remote transmitter control, email notifications and enhanced support services.

"Nautel is excited to partner with Comcon and Prasar Bharati on this extensive project," said Kevin Rodgers, Nautel President and CEO. "With this system fully deployed in all parts of India, AIR is uniquely positioned to serve the different dialects and regional needs of its billion listeners. It's a shining example of the capabilities digital broadcasting can provide throughout the world."

Nautel MW and FM transmitters will be demonstrated at the upcoming IBC show in Amsterdam on stand 8.C49. For more information on the All India Radio project, visit http://www.nautel.com/AIR.

About Nautel

Nautel has emerged as one of the world's largest manufacturers of AM and FM radio broadcast transmitters. With more than 15,000 transmitters deployed in over 177 countries since 1970 and more than 7,000 deployments of AUI-enabled transmitters, Nautel continues to lead the way in providing valuable new solutions for digital radio broadcasting and other applications.

(Nautel Press Release)