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Michael

RNZ Advances Pacific Broadcasting with Transmitter Upgrade – Futureproofing Initiatives Underway

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In a strategic move towards enhancing broadcasting capabilities in the Pacific region, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) has bid farewell to its long-serving 34-year-old shortwave Thompson transmitter, colloquially known as “Transmitter 1.” This transmitter, one of two facilitating analogue and digital radio broadcasts to the Pacific, has been powered down for the last time in preparation for the installation of a cutting-edge Swiss-made Ampegon shortwave transmitter at RNZ’s Rangitaiki site.

This undertaking represents a significant milestone for RNZ, which has relied on shortwave radio for the past 75 years to disseminate broadcasts across the vast Pacific. The replacement of the aging Transmitter 1 signifies a pivotal step in the futureproofing of RNZ’s service.

Installed just outside of Taupō in 1989, Transmitter 1, a 100-kilowatt Thompson unit, played a crucial role during the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990. However, with the challenges posed by obsolete parts and the transmitter’s exclusive capability for analogue transmission, its replacement became imperative.

The forthcoming Ampegon shortwave transmitter, capable of both digital and analogue transmission, is en route to New Zealand after being meticulously crafted at Ampegon’s factory in Switzerland. Yet, before the new transmitter can be operational, Transmitter 1 must undergo decommissioning, with salvageable parts reserved for future use.

RNZ’s Transmission Engineer Specialist, Steve White, acknowledged the complexities of the switchover, highlighting the need to dismantle Transmitter 1 integrated into the existing building. White explained, “It will take around four weeks to completely dismantle Transmitter 1… We need to isolate the transmitter from the main switchboard, as well as drain the fluids that help cool the transmitter before breaking it into parts.”

The installation of the Ampegon transmitter is anticipated to commence in January, with an estimated six weeks for installation, six weeks for commissioning, and additional time for training. The operational date for the new transmitter is projected to be 1 May 2024.

Once Transmitter 1 is replaced, RNZ will boast two transmitters capable of both analogue and digital transmissions, ensuring a robust backup system in case of technical issues.

In the interim, RNZ Pacific Manager Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor assured that alternative means of accessing RNZ content would be communicated to all Pacific partners. While the analogue service experiences a reduction during the transition period, RNZ content can still be accessed via satellite, downloads, or livestreaming through the official website.

RNZ Chief Executive and Editor in Chief, Paul Thompson, emphasized the indispensable role RNZ plays in the Pacific region, providing critical information during events such as the Tonga eruption when undersea cables were severed. Recognizing its significance, the Government allocated $4.4 million in capital funding for a new transmitter for RNZ Pacific as part of Budget 2022, reaffirming its commitment to the international service provided by RNZ in both English and Pacific languages.

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Michael

National Radio of the Amazon has decided to use DRM shortwave transmissions to serve indigenous populations in the northern Amazon region.

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DRM radio over the AMAZON

The People of the Amazon will soon be covered by DRM shortwave as National Radio of the Amazon orders a 100 kW BT transmitter

The vast area of the Amazon known as the Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical ecosystem in the world, with rainforest covering roughly 40% of South America, stretching over ten countries in South America, and is almost as large as the United States! The rainforest is home to both large and small communities in very remote areas, some harvesting crops along the rivers and others in more secluded villages deep within the forests.

As you can imagine communication to these areas can be difficult so it was no surprise when at the end of last year, testing of DRM technology began using a transmitter of 2.5 kW with the digital power of just 1 kW.

Despite this low power of the transmitter supplied by BT Transmitters, recordings were reported from different regions of the country and even from North America and Europe.

As a result of these tests, the National Radio of the Amazon decided to use DRM shortwave transmissions to serve indigenous populations in the northern Amazon region.

At the sizable cost of $650,000 USD. Public broadcaster Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) ordered a 100 kW BT transmitter to broadcast in DRM at 11,780 kHz in the 25-meter band, an existing shortwave channel used by Rádio Nacional da Amazônia.

This is considered to be the first domestic DRM installation on a locally produced transmitter in Latin America.

AMAZON radio map

Information from The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium.

Image via https://amazonaid.org/ 

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Michael

DRM Is Growing In Popularity And There Are Now Many More Stations To Receive Than At Any Time In The Past.

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DRM radio

After many years of stagnation, DRM is emerging as a perfect fit for shortwave broadcasters seeking to increase their audience, and at the same time reducing their energy consumption.

DRM is an open source, non proprietary standard for terrestrial broadcasting, promoted by the DRM Consortium, a group of transmission equipment and receiver manufacturers as well as international broadcasters.

Over 30 broadcasters from around the world now carry DRM broadcasts. The latest schedule can be found here: http://www.hfcc.org/drm/

To receive DRM broadcasts a suitable receiver is required. The GR216 receiver, https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/product/tecsun-drm-radio/, promoted by Tecsun Radios Australia is a high-performance receiver, both on DRM and analogue shortwave. It is a self-contained unit, with provision for the connection of external antennas for shortwave and FM.

The receiver includes a self contained linear power supply which eliminates interference caused in  receivers powered by switch mode power supplies.

drm radio australia

 

We recommend an external antenna for good DRM reception and our MW/SW Outdoor Antenna  https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/product/tecsun-shortwave-outdoor-antenna/ is most suitable. This antenna incorporates a 9:1 balun to provide the correct impedance for most shortwave receivers with an external antenna socket.

antenna shortwave drm

The typical improvement over the same length of wire without the matching components is between 10 and 15dB in signal level.

A word about antennas:

Directional characteristics of random wire and long wire shortwave receiving antennas are dependent upon the antenna length, height above ground, received frequency and directional orientation of the antenna wire. The four elements are interactive.

Generally the antenna should be aimed so that the transmission source is at 90 degrees to the antenna. So if the transmission source is to the West, run the antenna on a North South direction if possible. This works best on antennas that are less than a quarter wavelength in length and mounted a quarter wavelength above the ground (such as the antenna mentioned above).

In the case of a simple longwire without matching, the length of the wire cut for one quarter wavelength at popular DRM frequencies is as follows:

13Mhz: 6 metres in length, 15Mhz: 5 metres in length, 7 Mhz: 10 metres in length

A simple long wire antenna will work better at greater elevation above the ground, ie the higher the better. Multistrand insulated wire will work better and for longer that solid copper wire, which will weaken with repeated movement.

In practical terms, a DRM receiver with an external antenna will be able to hear most current DRM broadcasts from 13-18Mhz. Check the broadcasting schedule for the appropriate times.

Remember that all times are given in GMT and that means AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) is 10 hours ahead of GMT. Hence (for example) the BBC Relay from Singapore on 15620Khz will appear between 2pm and 8pm AEST.

One more factor that can influence the success of your reception is the direction in which the signal is being beamed.

This information is also available on the DRM HF schedule site. If you are in the target area you will have a much better chance of sucessfully receiving DRM broadcasts.

Target areas can be seen here: https://www.drm.org/what-can-i-hear/broadcast-schedule-2/

There are many stations that can be received if suitable attention is paid to antenna orientation, and broadcasting schedules, with more stations being added to the schedule every month.

Good Listening !

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