Communication Formats

Although I've been researching Digital Radio Mondiale for awhile, I've just recently decided to test my interest. Until today, I've never heard an actual live broadcast in DRM. Now, I've heard two broadcasts in one day. I'm simply amazed at the good quality of the signal with a DECENT antenna and receiver. A listener would nearly swear the broadcasts were originating within 50 miles of the listener yet these broadcasts ranged from ~ 2500 miles (Cariari, Costa Rica) to ~ 7500 miles (New Zealand). Even I couldn't imagine SHORTWAVE radio sounding this good. Although, I haven't purchased dedicated DRM hardware yet, I'll be doing so very soon. I'm currently using an analog shortwave receiver modified with a DRM board. Sure, it's a hassle which, thankfully, most of the readers won't have to endure with the advent of low-cost receivers like Newstar's DR111. After listening to these two DRM broadcasts, however, I now really want hardware that exploits the whole DRM30 standard including LCD displays capable of receiving video, graphic, and HTML data. The only real problem associated with DRM (digital radio) is the same one plaguing digital TV, i.e. the need for a good antenna. A listener needs a good quality antenna capable of consistently producing a MINIMUM SNR (signal-to-noise) ratio of at least 15.5 db. An average SNR of 20 db or greater is best. Otherwise, the listener will hear annoying dropouts of audio. However, don't take my word for it. Get some real hardware capable of decoding DRM so you can listen for yourself. Listening to recordings of DRM broadcasts made with microphones doesn't do justice to their quality.

I don't have the time to really look too deep into it until tomorrow but it really relates to what I have been saying on my earlier post about using press releases and/or creating your own media outlet and change the system that way. I will link this in my post. Good share!

With a decent external antenna, a user can listen to DRM broadcasts originating from various parts of the world with very good quality. DRM is NOT your dad's version of shortwave. ;) Personally, digital shortwave is probably one of the very few methods of communication that governments won't be able to fully control without unknown and adverse effects on the planet. True, DRM broadcasts are solely unidirectional, but interactive communication is widely misused and overstated, e.g. the InterNet. DRM broadcasts are fully capable of transmitting data (graphics/video) concurrently with audio. Imagine receiving webpages searchable with a web browser while listening to DRM audio. DRM broadcasts are fully capable of transmitting contact information via various methods, e.g. webpages or speech, where contact for further information is essential. Just pick up the telephone if needed.

If a reader's computer is on 24 hours per day like mine, Ten-Tec's RX-320D SDR (software defined radio) would be an excellent method of receiving both analog SW and digital (DRM) SW transmissions GLOBALLY depending on the choice of external antenna. One's computer acts like a front-end to Ten-Tec's back-end RX-320D. It's a beautiful and powerful combination.

If a reader wants a portable DRM radio without requiring access to a computer, try the upcoming Newstar DR111 portable radio with DRM capability. True, the DRM capability built into the DR111 is basically minimal, but it fulfills the basic requirements for DRM functionality and will be considerably cheaper than Ten-Tec's RX-320D.

Much, much more later on this important subject.