WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Weekly Top News

that you are not able to go out today and purchase a DRM radio off the
shelf, it's not the DRM Consortium's fault. They really have no special
power in forcing manufacturers to take the lead by producing DRM stand-
alone radios. Radio manufacturers are a business and that means they
expect to make money making radios. If there's a demand for these radios,
then the manufacturers will follow. Today not a single US broadcaster has
converted a tx for DRM capability. It was mentioned at the meeting that
most SW txs can be DRM-ready within a few hours with the right engineers,
but this also takes money which is something that many SW US broadcasters
either don't have or are yet not willing to give up. If this was 25 years
ago we would probably be seeing the pockets of the VOA taking an active
lead in this process but since they are being sliced and gutted like a
fish that isn't going to happen either.
The 26 MHz reutilization scenario seems like a good one. There is without
a doubt a demand and need in the USA for good community and local radio as
evidenced by the FCC finally allowing some licensed LPFM stations on the
dial, but at what expense? Many people feel that the large mega radio
corporations are not serving the local and community needs as well as they
should. Day in and day out listeners are offered the same "canned radio"
coast to coast on their AM and FM dials. The NAB, as well as NPR,
initially opposed the rule making to create LPFM licenses which is rooted
in serving the community. Unfortunately many LPFM applications and
wannabes don't fit the bandwidth requirements as there is little to no
spectrum available for them to use in metropolitan areas.
I can't see the NAB giving up any more possible listeners to a 26 MHz
community/local band without a fight. After all it was the NAB who opposed
something to me that seems so trivial as US satellite radio from
broadcasting local traffic reports. Today podcasting has many broadcasters
scratching their heads wondering if they are losing even more listeners.
Mentions at the meeting of NPR as being interested in 26 MHz DRM is also
suspect. If NPR opposed LPFM, then why would they support 26 MHz DRM? FCC
leadership has been dismal when it comes to their stewardship of the
airwaves. I would not expect the FCC to latch on to this truly great idea
unless someone from one of the "Daddy War Bucks" radio corporations said
it was a good idea but I hope I am wrong. And probably iBiquity, the fine
people who call their stuff HD Radio, will be lobbying against the idea.
iBiquity gets a cut of every digital "HD Radio" manufactured whereas DRM
doesn't. Follow the money.
I hate to say it, but the leadership and push on DRM is going to come from
Europe and not from US consumers. It will be the Europeans who are going
to jump-start the drive for market demand on DRM radios. At least for now
it seems that Sangean has done something. Let's see how well it does once
the radio becomes widely available
The day ended with a most enjoyable dinner, thanks to the folks at TCI
International, Continental Electronics, Thomson Broadcast & Multimedia and
the Assemblies of Yahweh/WMLK Radio. I got the lucky seat and sat next to
AWR's Adrian Peterson. Mr. Peterson is a walking encyclopedia of radio
history and a real friend to radio listeners worldwide.
(RadioIntel.com May 13)
vy73 de Wolfgang DF5SX