Friday, September 30, 2016

Imagination Technologies sells loss-making Pure radio business for £2.6m

Imagination Technologies will sell off its Pure digital radio business for £2.6m as it seeks to move on from record losses announced earlier this year.

Just months after the company posted its biggest loss in its 30-year history, Imagination has agreed to sell Pure to Austrian company AVenture AT, in a bid to reduce its debt.

Fhull story at :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/29/imagination-technologies-sells-loss-making-pure-radio-business-f/

Via Announces Patent Pool License for MPEG xHE-AAC to Support Digital Radio and Mobile Streaming Applications

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Via Licensing Corporation announced the availability of a patent pool license for MPEG Extended High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (xHE-AAC), the latest upgrade to the AAC family of audio compression technologies used around the world for broadcast, streaming, downloading, and audio/visual capture and playback applications. xHE-AAC provides exceptional audio quality using low bit rates to deliver a listening experience suitable for mobile devices, but which can scale-up to offer audiophile-quality reproduction.

xHE-AAC is also designed to support the delivery of mixed music and speech content on mobile devices and automotive products. Applications for MPEG xHE-AAC include digital radio broadcasting, streaming over mobile networks, and audio books. Because MPEG xHE-AAC delivers bit rates as low as 12 kilobits per second (kbps) for stereo and 6 kbps for mono, it can save bandwidth and transfer costs for content distribution over the internet or wireless networks. For consumers, it can provide a more enjoyable and cost-effective listening experience on mobile devices. xHE-AAC has already been adopted for the Digital Radio Mondiale ("DRM") broadcast standard and is currently in use on DRM transmissions around the world.

"MPEG xHE-AAC is an important new technology and a significant addition to the AAC licensing program," said Andrew Fischer, Sr. Director, Audio Programs, at Via Licensing Corporation. "With xHE-AAC, the range of applications that can be enhanced by the AAC family of codecs continues to expand."

Licensors contributing research, capital investment, inventions, and development toward the standardization of this important technology include Dolby Laboratories, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Fraunhofer IIS, Koninklijke Philips N.V., NTT DOCOMO, Orange S.A., Panasonic Corporation, Sony Corporation, and VoiceAge Corporation. Via's licensors have made their patented inventions available to the industry through Via's pool on fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory (FRAND) terms.

xHE-AAC is a superset of the technologies licensed under the broadly adopted AAC patent licensing program. Companies that are licensees under an existing AAC Patent License Agreement and that wish to receive a license for xHE-AAC will be able to do so through a simple addendum to their in-place patent license agreement. Similarly, reporting a mix of AAC and xHE-AAC products is streamlined for the convenience of licensees. More information, including the xHE-AAC fee schedule is presented athttp://via-corp.com/licensing/xHE-AAC/overview.html

About Via Licensing Corporation

Via Licensing Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a company with more than 50 years of experience in innovation and technology licensing. Via is dedicated to the development and administration of licensing programs for mandated, de facto, and emerging standards on behalf of innovative technology companies in the audio, broadcast, wireless, and automotive markets. For more information about Via, please visit via-corp.com.

Contacts

for Via Licensing Corporation
Brian Pitts, 312-475-5921

Thursday, September 29, 2016

AIR Puducherry steps into golden jubilee year of broadcast

Puducherry station of All India Radio(AIR) which boasts of having a listenership of around 76 lakhs, even from the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, today stepped into its golden jubilee year of broadcast.


First Live DRM Transmissions for Caribbean, Central America Planned

This year, the General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union will mark a significant event, as the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium has announced it will be bringing the first live digital radio signal transmission to Cuba, the Caribbean region and parts of northern Latin America, and even as far north as Florida.

The broadcast will come from the BBC via its Atlantic Relay station through the services of Babcock International. DRM says the transmission will be in the 13 meter-band on 21720 kHz and will carry BBC World Service programs in English. Additional multimedia features of DRM will also be demonstrated on radio receiver screens.

DRM broadcast schedule :

Oct 24 and 25, 2016 - 1600-1800 UTC on 21720 kHz


More info on Caribbean Broadcasting Union Annual General Assembly 2016

http://caribroadcastunion.org/annual-general-assembly/annual-general-assembly-2016/


KBS World Radio Test Transmission to India & Africa

'KBS World Radio' test transmission to India and Africa - October 2016 

KBS World Radio English Service will carry out test transmission from October 3 to 8 ahead of the B16 shortwave frequency adjustment. Please tune into the following frequencies and send us your reception reports. Your feedback will help KBS greatly in choosing the best frequency option for the new season.

October 3, 4 and 5 , 2016 - 1400 to 1500 UTC on 9595, 9665 and 7215 kHz towards India 

October 6,7 &and 8, 2016 - 2300 to 2400 UTC on 9570, 9710 and 11615 kHz to Africa

Please send your reception reports to : english@kbs.co.kr

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

New Pacific Asian Log Guide available online

Bruce Portzer has recently completed a major update to the Pacific Asian Log and had it posted on the Radio Heritage website.

The new version features major listing overhauls for China and South Korea, as well as many changes for Australia, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, and other countries.

Just in time for the Northern Hemisphere DX season, the PAL lists over 5000 medium and domestic shortwave stations as far south as New Zealand, as far north as Alaska, as far east as Tahiti, and as far west as Afghanistan. It includes frequency, network/slogan, location, power, schedule, and other information, arranged by country and by frequency. 

You can download a PDF of the PAL at :

Pre-order Titus-II wideband SDR DRM receiver

The Titus II - an Android tablet computer with wideband SDR receiver - was unveiled for the first time at the B16 HFCC/ASBU conference in Miami, Florida, 22-26 August 2016.

The receiver has been the result of cooperation between Trans World Radio (TWR) and PantronX.

The HFCC is assisting in collecting the demand/pre-orders.

Availability: Pre-production batch - 4Q/2016, regular production - 1Q/2017

Price: Under 100 USD plus shipping and local duty/taxes not included

Payment methods: Wire transfer for larger quantities, PayPal works too, but the buyers would need to add PayPal bank fees



AIR Director General reiterates shortwave will stay

radioandmusic.com interviewed Fayyaz Sheheryar, youngest ever Director General of All India Radio 

Excerpt...

But there had been some talk in the government at one time to disband short wave broadcasts?

Yes, but we had opposed this and it is agreed by all that short wave will stay.

Read the full interview here :

All India Radio believes in altruism unlike the private channels who espouse hedonism: Sheheryar




Friday, September 16, 2016

Digital Radio Mondiale: First DRM+, multi-standard receiver and new lower cost, durable DRM Receiver unveiled at IBC

Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) has got off to a flying start at this year's IBC event in Amsterdam. IBC is the leading global tradeshow for broadcasters and media professionals and attracts over 150,000 visitors every year from over 160 countries worldwide.

DRM's first event was hosted by key Consortium member, GatesAir. They unveiled their DRM+ G4 Exgine card offering a quick DRM digital upgrade solution for their range of Flexiva FM transmitters, developed in association with another leading DRM Consortium member, RFmondial.  During this event, two new DRM receivers, including the first DRM+ receiver were displayed to the public.

New Consortium member, Gospell Digital Technology presented the GR-216 which works in DRM30, AM and FM stereo. The other receiver unveiled today, PatronX Titus II offers an SDR android tablet solution for DRM and analogue, being in effect both a DRM+ and a multi-standard receiver. These new radios demonstrate the growing interest from receiver manufacturers in producing DRM capable solutions.  As part of the event an Avion DRM digital radio was offered as a prize.

(Press Release)

IIT-Kanpur alumnus does with radio what Marconi couldn't

CHENNAI/KANPUR: For his PhD at Stanford, 28-year-old electrical engineer Dinesh Bharadia decided he was not going to choose a problem that was "trivial". So he settled in on something that had stumped scientists for 150 years - how to turn radio communication two-way.

Read the TOI story at :

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/IIT-Kanpur-alumnus-does-with-radio-what-Marconi-couldnt/articleshow/54339711.cms


Women hams ride the radio wave in India

They are doing it all, from opening communication lines in tsunami-hit Andamans to encouraging more 'young ladies' to take to amateur radio.

Amateur radio operators, known colloquially as hams, are hobbyists who use radio waves to communicate wirelessly through Morse code, voice or even images with people around the world. Even as modern forms of communication such as mobile phones and the internet have edged out the radio, the tightly-knit global community of ham operators continues to thrive.

Read the full story at :

http://scroll.in/article/815565/women-hams-ride-the-radio-wave-in-india


All India Radio's special transmission for "Mahalaya 2016"

All India Radio's special transmission for "Mahalaya"

Date : 30th Sept, 2016 (Friday)
Time : 2225 UTC (29th Sept 2016) to 0015 UTC (30th Sept 2016) * some stations have late sign in and may continue past 0100 UTC
0355 - 0545 IST

"Mahalaya" is a special two hour transmission consisting of Sanskrit recitation and music orated by Late Shri.Birendra Krishna Bhadra. All India Radio has been broadcasting this program since early 1930's . Countdown of Indian festival of Durga Puja starts from the day of Mahalaya.

Frequencies observed during past years :

SW

4760 - Port Blair
4810 - Bhopal
4835 - Gangtok
4895 - Kurseong
4910 - Jaipur

MW

531 - Jodhpur
549 - Ranchi
594 - Chinsurah (Kolkata)
603 - Ajmer
621 - Patna A
648 - Indore A
657 - Kolkata A
666 - New Delhi B
675 - Chattarpur
684 - Port Blair
711 - Siliguri
729 - Guwahati A
747 - Lucknow A
756 - Jagdalpur
774 - Shimla
801 - Jabalpur
810 - Rajkot A
819 - New Delhi A
828 - Silchar
846 - Ahmedabad A
891 - Rampur
909 - Gorakhpur
918 - Suratgarh
954 - Nazibabad
981 - Raipur
1008 - Kolkata B
1026 - Allahabad A
1044 - Mumbai A
1125 - Tezpur
1179 - Rewa
1215 - Delhi National Channel
1242 - Varanasi
1260 - Ambikapur
1296 - Darbhanga
1314 - Bhuj
1386 - Gwalior
1395 - Bikaner
1404 - Gangtok
1458 - Bhagalpur
1476 - Jaipur A
1530 - Agra
1566 - Nagpur
1584 - Mathura
1593 - Bhopal A

Sign on observed by Jose Jacob at different times as follows:

2225 UTC (3.55am IST) 4760,4910, 531, 603, 666, 675, 747, 756, 801, 819, 828, 918, 1044, 1386, 1395, 1530.
2230 UTC (4.00 am IST) 4835, 1404.
2245 UTC (4.15 am IST) 4895
2250 UTC (4.20 am IST) 846
2255 UTC (4.25 am IST) 4810, 621, 648, 810, 954, 981, 1026, 1242, 1260, 1296, 1593.

Please email your observations and receptions reports to :  spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Related :

Come Mahalaya, Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation still default choice for All India Radio

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-come-mahalaya-birendra-krishna-bhadra-s-recitation-still-default-choice-for-all-india-radio-2020933

(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi)

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Key Stakeholders Make More Exciting Announcements at IBC 2016


On day two of IBC, the leading global trade show for broadcasters and media professionals from over 160 countries worldwide, Digital Radio Mondiale members introduced new transmitter deployments and receiver developments.

The first DRM event on Saturday (10th September) was hosted by Thomson Broadcast who emphasised the return on investment and cost-effective nature of investing in DRM transmitters.  Key representatives of RRI, the public broadcaster in Indonesia, and WECODEC, a non-profit organisation serving disadvantaged communities in South Africa, enriched the event with their understanding of DRM benefits for their own countries.

In the afternoon, Nautel hosted their now traditional Saturday afternoon DRM event.  Among the highlights this year was the announcement that in Europe, Antenna Hungaria (the national network operator in Hungary), have recently placed an order for a 2 megawatt DRM MW transmitter.  The Nautel representative in India also announced that All India Radio had demonstrated further confidence in the company and ordered another six DRM capable transmitters to supplement the existing thirty-five DRM transmitters currently delivering the largest digital radio project in the world.

The participants at both events had the opportunity to see and listen to receivers and software solutions demonstrated at IBC by Gospell, PantronX (Titus II), Avion, Radio Haugaland and Fraunhofer IIS.

There will be one more opportunity for delegates to win an Avion DRM digital radio at DRM's final event hosted by Ampegon and Transradio, (Hall 8 D35) on "Digital Shortwave Transmission" on Sunday 11th September 1400 to 1500.  It will be supported by Babcock International's live BBC DRM transmission on 7240 kHz, 15.30-1630 (CET) 13.30 – 14.30 (GMT).

Friday, September 09, 2016

Secure High Speed Digital Communication: The Future of Shortwave Broadcasting?

Since shortwave frequency transmissions interact with the ionosphere, broadcasts propagate many thousands of kilometres over the horizon without any intermediate delay. Using new digital technology and 64-QAM transmission, rapid digital encoding allows significantly greater data rates than possible with lower frequency transmissions.

Read about this interesting development at :

http://ampegon.com/news/?id=68


Babcock - DRM specials for IBC 2016

Babcock International - DRM Broadcast During IBC 2016 as follows:

Friday 9th September , 2016
1330-1430 UTC (15.30-1630 CET) - 7240 kHz

Saturday 10th September, 2016

1130 – 1330 UTC  (13.30-15.30 CET) - 7240 kHz

Sunday 11th September, 2016

1330-1430 UTC (15.30-1630 CET) - 7240 kHz

(Source : DRM Consortium)

Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Gospell announces the imminent release of GR-216 DRM/AM/FM digital radio


Chengdu, China, September 05, 2016 - Gospell, a leading supplier of pay TV system and equipment, satellite TV receiving products and microwave products, is delighted to announce the imminent release of GR-216 DRM/AM/FM digital radio, the first model in its Global Radio series range of tabletop radio. The product is designed to meet the demands of easy access to high quality information for cost-sensitive market at an affordable price.

GR-216 is equipped to receive DRM broadcast, as well as traditional FM with RDS and AM in medium wave band and shortwave band. Featuring a high performance DRM/AM/FM tuner, GR-216 provides noise-free reception of even the weakest stations. It supports the latest audio compression standard xHE-AAC and traditional HE-AAC as well as SBR and parametric stereo.

Besides the built-in whip antenna and ferrite bar antenna, dedicated AM/FM external antenna terminals with switch are located on the rear side of the radio, this will help those who live or work in a metal or concrete building and enjoy listening to a radio.

This unique radio will automatically turn itself on and initiate its emergency-tuning process when the Emergency Warning Broadcasting is engaged. The radio will enlarge its volume, flash the backlight, play siren sound and tune itself to the emergency program.

In addition to DRM program recording, AM/FM are also supported. Recorded program will be stored on the attached USB pen drive and can be played back on other devices such as a phone or a tablet. The GR216 also includes a scheduler which allows the user to schedule regular and unattended recordings for their favorite radio program.

The built-in high-quality 3 inch full-range speaker with enlarged magnet provides outstanding audio performance and room filling sound. With the help of state-of-the-art audio processing technology, GR-216 includes separate bass, mid and treble tone controls and a graphics equalizer, users can tailor the sound to their taste. We've provided an output for headphones along with an audio output on the rear side of the radio for line recording or to connect GR-216 as a radio tuner to a home audio system.

As a tabletop radio, GR-216 features dual independent alarm clocks with sleep timer. The alarm clock allows for once, daily, weekday and weekend settings. The alarm can be adjusted to the volume you prefer with buzzer or radio stations.

All aspects of set-up, time and program information are clearly shown through an easy to read large LCD display with white backlight, which is paired with an intuitive rotary control, enabling quick and easy navigation. The display brightness and contrast can be adjusted for a comfortable night's sleep.

"GR-216 is designed with the purpose and vision of providing easy access to high quality information, while utilizing a simple and intuitive user interface". Said Haochun Liu, director of DRM development department, Gospell. "With the help of a carefully design and concrete quality, GR-216 will be a durable device that supports long-term use."

For additional information, please visit www.gospell.com or contact Gospell sales at haojq@gospell.com

About Gospell

Founded in 1993, Gospell Digital Technology Co Ltd (GOSPELL). is a private hi-tech enterprise with R&D, manufacturing, business consultancy and planning, trade, delivery, project implementation and after sales service, acting as a complete DTV and triple-play solution provider for Digital TV/OTT related projects. Headquartered in GOSPELL INDUSTRIAL PARK at Chenzhou, Hunan Province for CPE related production manufacturing, GOSPELL also has its office in Shenzhen for business/marketing management and administration, in Chengdu for R&D and headend/transmitter system production/debugging and Customer Service Center, and in 12 cities in China as well as international offices in India, Africa and Mexico.

(DRM Consortium Press Release)

ABC axes Northern Territory HF Service


ABC axes Northern Territory HF Service - Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine 

Australian Broadcasting Corporation has axed Northern Territory HF Service - Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine. Due to budget cuts, the transmission provider, Broadcast Australia, has closed down all of these services.

(Bob Padula, Melbourne, Australia, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 5) via DXLD List

Monday, September 05, 2016

Radio Veritas Asia drops morning Bengali service on shortwave

Radio Veritas Asia Bengali Service

With effect from 1st October 2016 the morning Bengali service at 0030-0057 UTC on 15265 kHz will be closed down. Accordingly, the last morning transmission of Bengali service will be on Friday, 30 September 2016. Evening transmission of Bengali service will continue as usual at 1400-1427 UTC on 11825 kHz.

(Alok Dasgupta)

Sunday, September 04, 2016

RTÉ Gaelic football final coverage on shortwave

RTE ( Raidió Teilifís Éireann) specials - Here are the details for the GGA broadcasts - the start time for the programmes is 1 pm Irish time.

RTÉ Radio will broadcast the GAA All Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday, 4th  September and the All Ireland Football Final on Sunday, 18th September on all wavelengths and via the internet to Irish people and communities around the world.

RTÉ is asking on those with relatives or friends abroad to let them know that this coverage is available and to invite them to the biggest party in Ireland's sporting calendar.

Ireland: At home, audiences can listen as usual to the GAA finals on RTÉ Radio 1 FM and on Longwave 252.

Britain: Across most of Britain, listeners can receive our coverage on Long Wave 252. In addition RTÉ Radio 1 is available on the UK free to air satellite platform Freesat on channel 750.

Worldwide: Across the world, the match commentaries will be available online at www.rte.ie/radio1

Shortwave to Africa: In Africa, where many Irish people live and work, often in relative isolation with poor communications, RTÉ is providing special transmissions on shortwave radio.

The transmissions will be available on 15320 kHz.

1300-1700 UTC on 15320 kHz via Meyerton, South Africa 250 kW 007 deg to South Africa

These services are part of RTÉ's continued commitment to Irish people overseas and, over the years, has proven especially popular with those in geographically or technically isolated areas.

In addition to RTÉ Radio broadcasts, RTÉ will also broadcast the All Ireland Finals on RTÉ One Television. Don't forget also the extensive and dynamic online offering from ww.rte.ie/sport.

Here's a video of reception from 4th Sept, 2016 at 1511 UTC :

Friday, September 02, 2016

WMLK Shortwave Listener's Handbook

WMLK Shortwave Listener's Handbook

http://www.wmlkradio.net/WMLK.pdf

Digital Radio Mondiale: Visit us at IBC 2016 and win a DRM Smart Radio!

Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) has an exciting line-up of events under the banner "DRM: Smart Radio for All" at this year's International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam 9th - 13th September. IBC is the leading global tradeshow for broadcasters and media professionals and attracts over 150,000 visitors every year from over 160 countries worldwide.

All those interested are invited to come along and meet DRM international experts, broadcasters and manufacturers and receive all the latest news on exciting market developments. Also on show will be innovative solutions for multi-standard receivers from Europe and Asia.

With four key events planned throughout the five-day exhibition, anyone attending any of these events will have an opportunity to enter the DRM Prize draw and win an Avion DRM digital radio !

The events hosted by key Consortium members will tackle various DRM aspects:

- GatesAir (Hall 8 B80): "DRM+ Smart Solution for VHF" Friday 9th September 1400 to 1500

- Thomson Broadcast (Hall 8 C35): "The Best Radio Technology ROI" Saturday 10th September, 1230 to 1330

- Nautel (Hall 8 C49): "DRM30 Expanding the limits - A look at Super MW in 2016" Saturday 10th September 1530 to 1700

- Ampegon and Transradio (Hall 8 D35): "Digital Shortwave Transmission" Sunday 11th September 1400 to 1500

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, says that this year's IBC will demonstrate "the versatility of the only global, open, all frequency bands digital sound broadcasting standard and the ingenious receiver solutions being developed at the moment. Radio is not in decline: on the contrary, it is entering its maturity phase with confidence. DRM is smart, flexible, and cost-effective and fits in the new digital multi-platform environment perfectly."

Other DRM members present at IBC are: Babcock International, Fraunhofer IIS, Panasonic, RIZ Transmitters and RFmondial.

If you want to attend the DRM events please contact: projectoffice@drm.org

About DRM

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital broadcasting system for all broadcasting frequencies.

The DRM standard comprises two major configurations one intended for broadcasts on short, medium and long wave up to 30 MHz providing medium to large coverage areas and low power consumption (called 'DRM30'). The configuration for the VHF bands above 30 MHz is called 'DRM+', tailored for local and regional coverage with broadcaster-controlled transmissions.

All DRM configurations share the same audio coding, data and multimedia services, service linking, multiplexing and signalling schemes.  DRM provides high quality sound combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services.

The DRM Consortium was awarded by ITU for it outstanding contribution to the Telecommunications over the past years and has signed the EBU Smart Radio Memorandum that promotes access to free to air radio on all devices.

For more information and DRM updates please visit www.drm.org or subscribe to DRM news by writing to pressoffice@drm.org.  Click here for the Newsletter with all the latest DRM news from around the world.
--

DRM Consortium
Site for DRM: www.drm.org

Thursday, September 01, 2016

New SDR# version with lots of improvements

The latest and greatest SDR# rev1466 is available for download. This revision introduces significant improvements in processing speed and quality.

The package can be downloaded as usual from http://airspy.com/download

(Via airspy list)