The Power of Digital Radio in Emergencies

Ruxandra Obreja

The image of a lonely kangaroo against the orange sky of the burning Australian bush must have been seen by billions of people over the last few weeks. Yet, this is just one of the many disasters ushering in the new year. Let us not forget about the floods and earthquakes in Indonesia, the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the first cyclones in Asia.

The increasing number of these disasters can challenge governments and authorities more often and for longer everywhere not just in Asia. And when a disaster strikes communication is of the essence.

Australian public broadcaster ABC has been rightly praised for its national emergency broadcasts these last few weeks. ABC’s “excellent job” in providing emergency information (as mentioned by the Minister of Communications) raises issues many public broadcasters and some commercial station are facing the world over.

How do they maintain proper and frequent disaster warnings that are able to reach everyone, even citizens in rural and less populated areas, and sometimes over many days and nights? And how can they fund all this “extra effort”? These broadcasts seem essential during emergencies but then they quickly drop to the bottom of the priorities’ list when the rain returns or the last cameraman has packed and gone to cover another more urgent story.

COVERING LARGE, TARGETED AREAS

Source:- https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/the-power-of-digital-radio-during-emergencies

Can an App Solve the DRM Receiver Problem?

The diagram shows how the DRM+ app connects to a phone or tablet.

The Digital Radio Mondiale standard for digital broadcasting in long, medium, and shortwave bands offers the possibility to transmit audio, text and pictures.

A few broadcasters use DRM for both domestic and international transmissions. DRM’s largest problem is lack of receivers, especially affordable standalone ones.

Some listeners use an SDR, computer and free Dream software to receive the DRM signals, but this audience doesn’t make up the mass audience that broadcasters are looking for.

A FEW ISSUES

In addition, the Dream has two serious limitations: It can’t receive the latest DRM codec (xHE-AAC) and its current version is unable to receive MOT Slideshow.

Many international broadcasters will not commit to DRM transmissions because of the lack of receivers. There is an effort by some broadcasters to coordinate the purchase of thousands of standalone DRM receivers in the hope that this will jump-start the market for receivers. This effort is rather capital-intensive, however.

There are millions of Android and Apple smartphones and tablets already in use. What if they included an app that could receive DRM? What if that app could be coupled to the SDRs already in the hands of listeners?

At work on the DRM app in AlgorKorea’s offices. Images courtesy of Dr. Soon S. Jarng, CTO, AlgorKorea.

A South Korean company, AlgorKorea, has developed a series of apps to do just that. AlgorKorea is best known for developing hearing aid firmware, according to Dr. Soon S. Jarng, CTO and founder.

HOW IT WORKS

AlgorKorea didn’t develop the apps with the intention of solving the DRM receiver issue. They developed them to resolve a problem with FM hearing aids used in classrooms.

So how do they work? The DRM+SDR version couples the popular and inexpensive RTL-SDR to an Android device with a USB OTG adapter.

The DRM+ app is compatible with both Android and Apple devices and couples to the SDR using audio cords. A common and inexpensive resistor/capacitor needs to be soldered into one of the cords.

The app can receive MOT Slideshow, DRM texts and Journaline, a text news/information feed. AlgorKorea says it’ll continue to develop DRM apps. “We’re working on another new app (an inexpensive SDR dongle) for the Msi SDR Panadapter, added Dr. Jarng.

Apps will play an important role in solving the DRM receiver problem and Algor’s offerings appear to be just the beginning.

Hans Johnson has worked in the shortwave broadcasting industry for over 20 years in consulting, frequency management, and sales.

Source:-https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/digital-radio/can-an-app-solve-the-drm-receiver-problem utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

All India Radio in the Digital Age.

In India DRM is being rolled out successfully for some time now though making it available to this huge continent is now part of the efforts and statements made recently by high officials like the Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar who see the government bringing digital radio in five years. “There will be more clarity, will be heard for longer range and there will be four times more stations” is what the Minister said on a recent AIR/Akashvani prize-giving occasion in New Delhi. Meanwhile AIR is to get a new look while maintaining its key role for the culture and identity of India. Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash, I&B Secretary Ravi Mittal, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati were also present on the occasion. Read more at republicworld.com

AIR is also carrying the latest cricket matches on DRM and preparing a more ample publicity campaign for its programmes on DRM.

Source:-https://www.drm.org/all-india-radio-in-the-digital-age/

Cambridge Consultants reveals sub-$10 DRM receiver prototype

Innovation specialist Cambridge Consultants has unveiled a design for a sub-$10 Digital Radio Mondiale receiver. Established in 1960, Cambridge Consultants was a principal founder of “the Cambridge phenomenon” – Europe’s leading high-tech cluster.

The company was the brainchild of three Cambridge University graduates – Tim Eiloart, Rodney Dale and David Southward – who wanted to "put the brains of Cambridge University at the disposal of the problems of British industry". Since then it has evolved into a global team engaged in solving the world’s toughest technology challenges. At the company's annual Innovation Day conference last week, Cambridge Consultants showcased a proof-of-concept prototype of a low-cost, low-power DRM design. This design will be ready in 2020, available for any radio manufacturer to licence and incorporate into their own products.

The radios that can receive DRM are still prohibitively expensive, especially for those markets that would benefit most. So vast swathes of the world remain unconnected to the services that DRM can provide. It's new prototype will address the vital need for information by the 60-ish per cent of global population that doesn’t have internet or TV.

It’s low power, so can run from solar or wind-up.

Source :- http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news /cambridge-consultants-reveals-sub-10-drm-receiver-prototype © Radioinfo.com.au