[HCDX] D R M

[Robert Wilkner <rlcw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

    April 05, 2006


      DRM: How Does It Play In The Real World?

Digital radio mondiale (DRM) is a digital modulation technique being 
pushed for international shortwave broadcasting as well as for AM/FM 
broadcasting in parts of the world.  Like IBOC/HD, DRM promises all 
sorts of benefits-----"CD quality" sound, etc.----for listeners.  But, 
again like IBOC/HD, DRM can't get around the inherent limitations of 
ionospheric propagation and the resultant "drop-outs" when the signal 
fades. Glenn Hauser's /World of Radio/ web site carried a report on 
attempts made at the recent Winter SWL Festival in Kulpsville, PA, to 
receive DRM signals from transmitters at Sackville, NB, Canada and 
Bonaire, Netherland Antilles.  The results were not very encouraging 
<http://www.worldofradio.com/dxld6057.txt>  (the material isn't 
permalinked; you will have to scroll down to the end and the section 
headed "Digital Broadcasting").

DRM on shortwave is clearly a debacle, and I'm not sure why 
international  broadcasters continue to pursue this dead end----maybe 
it's just a stubborn unwillingness to admit a mistake, even in the face 
of overwhelming evidence you're wrong.  Anyone with half a brain should 
realize that digital modulation techniques have no place on frequencies 
subject to regular skywave propagation.  Period.

More international broadcasters should follow the lead of the BBC.  The 
BBC wisely cut back on its shortwave transmissions to North America a 
few years ago, and now its programming is widely available via satellite 
radio (both XM and Sirius), podcasts, and streaming audio; they probably 
have a much greater audience in North America via these new delivery 
platforms than they ever did via shortwave. Shortwave may still make 
sense for reaching the less developed areas of the world, but for North 
America, Europe, Japan, Australia, etc., newer technologies are more 
cost effective and reach larger potential audiences.

International broadcasters need to stop being such Luddites.  Is their 
mission "international broadcasting," or is it really "operating 
shortwave transmitters"??

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