HFU HF Underground
Loggings => Shortwave Broadcast => Topic started by: MDK2 on January 09, 2021, 2343 UTC
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I finally found a version of Dream 2.2.1 that works on Windows (the one from Sourceforge won't even run), and now can decode the newer xHE-AAC codec that stations like Radio Marti are using. And right now Brazil's station is ringing in. (Typing this nearly a half hour after I made this recording and it's still strong.) I'm far from being on the DRM bandwagon, among other things the audio has that kind of artificial quality noticeable on early mp3's, but this is an impressive copy and shows that maybe this DRM thing can actually work after all.
Working version of DREAM 2.2.1:
https://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2961
Note that you have to change the file suffix to .rar AFTER downloading.
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Listening to "Brazil DRM Exper" at 23:43z on February 02, 2021 from Toronto, Ontario Canada. This has to be one of the best Dream DRM decodes that I have ever heard. Great quality and showcase of music. I am enjoying this broadcast. Even the DRM Journaline (data) is working.
The signal level is hovering around -80 dBm and the transmission is aac+ mono (12.46 kbps) + MM (2.30 kbps).
At 02:30z the signal level has droped about 10 dB and sometimes dips as low as -100 dBm and I am still decoding this broadcast with minimal issues.
At 03:30z the signal level had droped to -106 dBm and the decoder is now loosing sync and breaking up most of the time with no audio output.
If anyone is interested in some screen shots I have posted them on the Ontario DX Association (ODXA) group page at: https://groups.io/g/odxa/message/40198 (https://groups.io/g/odxa/message/40198)
RSPduo | Barker & Williamson Antenna | Dream v2.1.1
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Another descent evening, February 03, 2021, for Brazil DRM Experimental.
Tuned in at 22:49z with talk radio programming followed by a station ID at 23:00z. Musical programing resumed with female announcer.
The station appeared to have suffered a technical issues at 23:09z where the carrier was abruptly dropped and returned at 23:30z with musical programming.
00:00z had a male announcer with some kind of event programming, perhaps a sport broadcast.
Signal fading started around 00:15z causing the decoder to start loosing sync and eventually no longer decoding. 01:34z conditions improved, returning to the event program in progress.
02:48z regular musical programing returns followed by station ID at 02:55z, voice announcements at 03:01z.
05:20z musical programming continues. Signal level fluctuating between -100 dBm and -93 dBm. The decoder remains locked with an average SNR of 15.7 dB.
RSPduo | Barker & Williamson Antenna | Dream v2.1.1 | Toronto, Ontario Canada
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Another descent evening, February 03, 2021, for Brazil DRM Experimental.
Tuned in at 22:49z with talk radio programming followed by a station ID at 23:00z. Musical programing resumed with female announcer.
The station appeared to have suffered a technical issues at 23:09z where the carrier was abruptly dropped and returned at 23:30z with musical programming.
00:00z had a male announcer with some kind of event programming, perhaps a sport broadcast.
Signal fading started around 00:15z causing the decoder to start loosing sync and eventually no longer decoding. 01:34z conditions improved, returning to the event program in progress.
02:48z regular musical programing returns followed by station ID at 02:55z, voice announcements at 03:01z.
05:20z musical programming continues. Signal level fluctuating between -100 dBm and -93 dBm. The decoder remains locked with an average SNR of 15.7 dB.
RSPduo | Barker & Williamson Antenna | Dream v2.1.1 | Toronto, Ontario Canada
If you had a lock for that long, it would tend to confirm that their beam is due north. At my location the lock lasts about an hour at most. It never returns to strength after sunset. Maybe that will change as the days grow longer in the northern hemisphere.