WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Weekly Top News

These include:
AMSS, a new signaling system developed under the auspices of DRM and now
being broadcast by the BBC World Service. AMSS allows new digital
receivers to identify the broadcast when tuned to AM and put the station
label on the tuning menu, as if it were digital.
SMS+, in which you can send a message from your cellular phone to the
radios at Le Radio! - just dial 06 86 28 47 35 to see your message
displayed on DRM-capable receivers broadcasting in 26 MHz. (Visit the DRM
stand to obtain the DRM code prior to sending your SMS+ messages.)
A new sce for nx headlines via DRM, called "Fils Info RSS."
(Siriol Jane Evans, DRM
also via Andy Lawendel, dxld Feb 9/11)
OFFICIAL DRM RESPONSE TO RECENT MEDIA NETWORK COMMENTARY.
In response to my commentary Lean and Mean, we have received the following
response from Siriol Evans, Director of Press & Communications at Digital
Radio Mondiale (DRM):
[Italics] In reading through your recent commentary on the RNW Web site
titled Lean and Mean: International Broadcasting Tightens Its Belt, I
noticed some points I'd like to clarify.
You mention that "delays in introducing affordable user-friendly receivers
are proving to be a major problem, and it's by no means certain that DRM
will ever realise its full potential, as in the meantime international
broadcasters are dropping significant amounts of short-wave output."
The DRM Consortium holds a much more optimistic view. We have reason to
anticipate success in terms of upcoming receiver availability and DRM's
implementation among international broadcasters in general, based on
recent and ongoing developments in markets worldwide. Among these
developments are:
1) Several DRM receivers have already been introduced (notably at IFA and
IBC last year) and continue to be introduced (at Le Radio! in Paris next
week). A full list of what has been introduced is in the DRM Newsletter
issued today. The lead article details these receivers.*
2) Consumers will be able to order radios online in the coming months. We
advise interested listeners to stay tuned to
as well as DRM's national Web sites for product availability bulletins and
ordering information.
3) An increasing number of international broadcasters are already
broadcasting on DRM, including BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, Voice of
Russia, RCI, Radio Sweden, Radio Kuwait, Radio Vaticana, and of course,
Radio Netherlands.
4) DRM testing is underway by broadcasters in a range of markets,
including China, Mexico and New Zealand. Solomon Islands Broadcasting
Commission is interested in using DRM SW to serve its outer island
stations. CVC has conducted DRM tests across South America, with a view
toward regular DRM broadcasts of Spanish and Portuguese sces.
5) Regulatory bodies in various markets are moving forward with DRM plans.
Last year, the FCC adopted DRM for US HF Broadcasting Service (HFBC)
digital txion, for international broadcasts originating in the US and sent
overseas. In Poland last year, the telecom regulator URTiP published plans
for DRM SW, MW and LW broadcasts.