India dropping SW and DRM

[ChrisSmolinski]

New Delhi, March 3 (IANS): You will soon be able to catch your favourite regional radio programmes on FM radio with maximising of the existing technology and junking of the "mindless" and "silly" plan of introducing digital radio, says Prasar Bharati chief Jawhar Sircar.

...

Funds for this venture will come from leasing out the 50-odd centres where SW or Short Wave receiving transmitters stand, and also "closing down DRM" or digital radio mondiale and "putting the money in FM", he said.

SW has no takers any more and the 50 transmitters or receiving centres are standing on prime land located in 50 major towns across India, which could be leased out to government departments. It will earn "enough money to fund the entire exercise", the top official said.

On digital radio, Sircar said the government has already spent a lot of money on digital radio needlessly.

Full article: http://www.newskarnataka.com/news/content/exclusive/-Regional-radio-channels-on-FM-soon-Prasar-Bharati-CEO-Interview?fb_action_ids=10152404460852495&fb_action_types=og.likes

[Nella F.]

I'm actually listening right now (via library) to "FM Gold" from their official web page. What I'm wondering, is the music coming via digital cable entirely & all the way from India or are they using satellites ?

[glimmer twin]

Although it doesn't actually say that they are closing down shortwave, it is implied. Leasing the sites would entail closing the SW transmitters currently there I guess.

[diymedia]

That's interesting...All India Radio has committed to a major DRM upgrade on its AM stations.

[clobdell]

Yes, I remember them announcing all shortwave transmissions are going to be DRM in the future and I remember thinking the only listener they will then have left is Victor Goonetilleke in Sri Lanka, lol.

Maybe they finally got the memo that shortwave DRM is a failure and shortwave itself does not lend itself to localized [near the transmitter] audiences. FM really is the way to go; then if they want to go IBOC digital they could it on  FM.

[ChrisSmolinski]

I have what I consider to be a fairly decent setup, but I think I've managed to hear a total of 2 or 3 DRM stations.

[redhat]

There is always The Disco Palace

www.thediscopalace.com

+-RH

[glimmer twin]

Is Disco Palace still on the air? I thought they had gone to an internet only thing & dropped shortwave in A14

[diymedia]

Yes, I remember them announcing all shortwave transmissions are going to be DRM in the future and I remember thinking the only listener they will then have left is Victor Goonetilleke in Sri Lanka, lol.

Maybe they finally got the memo that shortwave DRM is a failure and shortwave itself does not lend itself to localized [near the transmitter] audiences. FM really is the way to go; then if they want to go IBOC digital they could it on  FM.

I don't think IBOC's found any meaningful purchase outside of North America...

[Nella F.]

The government official responsible for overseeing the change is probably involved (ie $/stocks/bribes).

[redhat]

Is Disco Palace still on the air? I thought they had gone to an internet only thing & dropped shortwave in A14

Their website sill lists 15775 as their summer frequency.  Might have to give it a listen.

+-RH