Can DRM Save Shortwave? - Monitoring Times
Can DRM Save Shortwave? - Monitoring Times
Can DRM Save Shortwave? - Monitoring Times
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Vol. 29 No. 4 April 2010<br />
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1010100101001010110010010010011001010011001010101010100101 Scanning - <strong>Shortwave</strong> - Ham Radio - Equipment 001<br />
Internet Streaming - Computers - Antique Radio<br />
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®<br />
Volume 29, No. 4<br />
April 2010<br />
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U.S. $6.95<br />
0100101001010110010010010011001010011001010101010100101 <strong>Can</strong>. $6.95 00101<br />
Printed in the<br />
A Publication of Grove Enterprises<br />
United States<br />
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0101001010110010010010011001010011001010101010100101 <strong>DRM</strong> 001011010<br />
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011001010101010100101 0010110101010101001111010101101101010101001 <strong>Save</strong><br />
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<strong>Shortwave</strong>?<br />
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In this issue:<br />
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• Learning Antenna Basics<br />
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• SKYWARN: A National Public Service<br />
• TCAS Technology: Old Tech <strong>Can</strong> Work!<br />
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Chasing <strong>DRM</strong>.......8<br />
The Elusive Dream of<br />
Digital Audio via <strong>Shortwave</strong><br />
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR, Ken Barber<br />
W2DTC and Dave Schmarder N2DS<br />
Long after satellite TV, musical recordings,<br />
terrestrial TV, satellite radio<br />
and even terrestrial radio have carved<br />
niches in the digital world, shortwave<br />
radio continues to meander at a snail’s<br />
pace towards a digital future.<br />
And, even though its platform,<br />
Digital Radio Mondiale (<strong>DRM</strong>), was<br />
launched before most digital services<br />
we take for granted today, shortwave’s<br />
digital future remains uncertain. This<br />
month MT examines the 12 year wait<br />
for shortwave broadcasting to find its<br />
digital voice.<br />
In this progress report, Ken Reitz<br />
KS4ZR looks at where we are on the<br />
road to digital shortwave and reviews<br />
the first stand-alone, portable <strong>DRM</strong><br />
shortwave radio. Ken Barber W2DTC<br />
finds a way to hear <strong>DRM</strong> broadcasts<br />
without modifying his computerbased<br />
shortwave radio. And, Dave<br />
Schmarder N2DS shows how to homebrew<br />
a tube-fired, <strong>DRM</strong> converter that<br />
works!<br />
On Our Cover<br />
Continental Electronics’ 418<strong>DRM</strong> 100<br />
kW transmitter for <strong>DRM</strong> shortwave<br />
broadcasts (Courtesy: Continental<br />
Electronics); WiNRADiO tuning page<br />
(Courtesy: WiNRADiO); UniWave Di-<br />
Wave 100 portable shortwave radio<br />
(Courtesy: Universal Electronics)<br />
C O N T E N T S<br />
All about Antennas: Part 1 ......................................... 12<br />
By Bob Grove W8JHD<br />
MT Publisher, Bob Grove W8JHD, focuses on the basics of the antennas<br />
that hams and shortwave listeners alike take for granted. In the first part of<br />
this series, Bob looks at the essential radio wave, propagation, and antenna<br />
patterns.<br />
TCAS Technology ......................................................... 15<br />
A low-cost, no-license communications method revisited<br />
By Peter Mac Dougall EI/G7VEW<br />
In our rush to embrace digital technology some very useful communications<br />
concepts get swept aside. Peter urges readers to take another look at a<br />
standby technology that never goes out of style.<br />
Amateur Radio Weather Watchers ............................. 16<br />
A National Public Service<br />
By Gregory Smith WB2PPQ<br />
April weather is unpredictable<br />
with many parts of the U.S. still<br />
not out of threat of snow while<br />
others are dodging severe thunderstorms.<br />
Greg writes about the<br />
National Weather Service’s SKY-<br />
WARN program and tells where<br />
to tune when the weather gets<br />
rough.<br />
First Person Radio ...................................................... 19<br />
Crystal Set Leads to Lifelong Hobby and Career<br />
By Maury Midlo<br />
What started with a crystal set for a boy, ended up as a lifelong hobby<br />
that led Maury to VHF/UHF communications in the service and to a satisfying<br />
career at a major AM/FM/TV station.<br />
R E V I E W S<br />
Logitech Squeezebox Radio ........................................ 67<br />
By Loyd Van Horn W4LVH<br />
The latest in Internet radio from<br />
Logitech is loaded with features. Loyd<br />
says, “If you’ve been holding out and<br />
waiting for the perfect WiFi radio to<br />
come along, wait no further, this is it!”
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4 MONITORING TIMES April 2010<br />
Table Of COnTenTs<br />
Departments<br />
Communications ...............................6<br />
Letters .............................................74<br />
Edited by Rachel Baughn KE4OPD<br />
Future of <strong>Shortwave</strong> Radio; Carole Perry WB-<br />
2MGP Honored; More on Wullenweber Antennas;<br />
In Memoriam<br />
Stock Exchange ................................76<br />
Advertisers Index .............................76<br />
First Departments<br />
Getting Started<br />
Scanning Report ..............................20<br />
By Dan Veeneman<br />
What’s the Frequency, Dan?<br />
Ask Bob ...........................................23<br />
By Bob Grove W8JHD<br />
Metal shield on cell phone; Antenna impedance;<br />
Sideband on GMRS; Indoor SW antenna<br />
Utility World ....................................24<br />
By Hugh Stegman NV6H<br />
Israeli “Numbers” - A New 20 Meter Mystery<br />
Digital Digest ...................................27<br />
By Mike Chace<br />
Around the World in one Digital Column<br />
On the Ham Bands ..........................28<br />
By T. J. “Skip” Arey N2EI<br />
To QSL or Not QSL…That is the Question<br />
Beginner’s Corner ...........................30<br />
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR<br />
Your Antenna is Up - Now What?<br />
Programming Spotlight ....................32<br />
By Fred Waterer<br />
Touring Radio Taiwan International<br />
English Language SW Guide ...........34<br />
You may contact any MT staff writer by email<br />
by combining their first and last name @<br />
monitoringtimes.com. By postal mail, you<br />
may write them in care of MT Headquarters<br />
in Brasstown. Please enclose a self-adressed,<br />
stamped envelope if you wish the columnist<br />
to reply.<br />
Second Departments<br />
QSL Report ......................................47<br />
By Gayle Van Horn W4GVH<br />
Radio Prague: Still Going Strong<br />
MTXtra <strong>Shortwave</strong> Broadcast Guide .48<br />
Portuguese/Arabic Languages<br />
Computers and Radio ......................52<br />
By Brian Wood W0DZ<br />
Making a Better Mousetrap?<br />
Milcom ............................................54<br />
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW<br />
The Military Weather Channel<br />
AM Bandscan ..................................56<br />
By Doug Smith W9WI<br />
Going, Going, Gone<br />
BOATS, Planes, Trains ......................58<br />
By Ron Walsh VE3GO<br />
“The <strong>Times</strong> they are A-Changin’!”<br />
Below 500 kHz ................................60<br />
By Kevin Carey WB2QMY<br />
Favorite Bookmarks<br />
Technical Departments<br />
Antenna Topics ................................62<br />
By Dan Farber AC0LW<br />
The Humble Dipole<br />
Radio Restorations ...........................64<br />
By Marc Ellis N9EWJ<br />
The BC-344 Fails an Unexpected Smoke Test<br />
On the Bench...................................66<br />
By Walter Lindenbach<br />
“Sky-wires and Inhalers” Part 7: What is a<br />
Decibel<br />
Globalnet ........................................70<br />
By Loyd Van Horn W4LVH<br />
What is Internet Radio?<br />
What’s New ....................................72<br />
By Larry Van Horn, N5FPW<br />
New Icom Portable Receiver; AOR AR2300<br />
“Black Box”; Interactive Police Scanner iPhone<br />
App; 2010 Beacon Handbooks
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