Fantastic research again @ron12
Interesting that Russia hasn’t deployed DRM or in typical Ruski pride, developed their own digital concept.
I hope to god they don’t agree with it especially for AM, it will make the AM band full of wide band noise and especially jam up the band for any hope of DXing
6 Likes
IIRC WorldSpace was also receivable in the Kimberley.
1 Like
If the government was to specially fund the ABC to have some high powered DRM transmitters, and the car industry was happy to make Australia-only spec car entertainment units (as no country has both DAB and DRM receivers in their cars), then the technology would have some chance in Australia.
Once the receivers were in cars, there would be a number of organisations interested in broadcasting. Not necessarily a lot of mainstream entertainment broadcasters, but organisations none-the-less. Think people like Vision Christian Radio, SEN, LPONers and the remote commercial broadcasters.
Another plausible scenario would be for the ABC to replace their defunct domestic SW service with a similar DRM one. Some people in remote areas, on sea-going boats and in caravans would buy specialty receivers. VAST-radio-on-the-move. But it would have to have a wider audience/be much cheaper to operate than the old SW service.
A third option would be to do as NZ as done, and have a single transmitter with Radio Australia on it, intended for international consumption.
2 Likes
the problem is getting the Australia specific tech out there, and in large enough numbers to make broadcasting worthwhile. The cost of the receiver could be more than the value of some of the paddock bashers the farmers use. on top of that there’s not just cars - there’s harvesters, tractors, long distance trucks and even in home.
I feel like a better option is to piggy back off existing tech from overseas.
VAST radio is a great idea. lets use Satellite radio to distribute instead - like Sirius XM in the USA. Sirius sell a unit that transfers between the home and car for $190 (with no sub required to purchase at that price)
The government could, for remote users subsidise the price and non abc outlets like Vision, SEN and the various aboriginal focused broadcasters could pay for access
2 Likes
When will we have Answers on Launching DRM in Australia?
Unfortunately, wouldn’t be holding my breath. I still think it seems the answer to Regional Digital Radio, spectrum efficient Using existing frequency and bandwidth, cost efficient no 3rd party licensing, no MUX fees, most of existing infrastructure can be used, chip sets with DRM standard in cars now across many European Countries. Especially useful for ABC AM services. Here, I rely on 621 Khz from Melbourne, and it’s reception is shocking. When ABC ran R.N on DRM from their 747Khz TX in Wangaratta, at last, I could listen to it with FM quality and it did not require ABC to need extra channels or bandwidth etc. Just one example of how beneficial DRM would be in Regional Aust. Just my two bobs worth. I know there are lots of fors and against’s for DRM and both sides have merits.
3 Likes
Many more fors
1 Like
Actually the L-Band satellite trials were undertaken by the Communications Laboratory (a research/technical laboratory in the then Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts) using the Australian Optus B3 spacecraft.
A series of terrestrial L-Band trials/demonstrations were also undertaken by the laboratory in the mid to late nineties. One trial involving three transmitters operating as a single frequency network achieved mobile (outdoor) coverage of most areas of Canberra.
3 Likes
With Optus 11 Satellite coming online in Late 2025, Are we gonna See DRM30 launching ABC and SBS in Remote Areas?
1 Like
Extremely unlikely
1 Like
I think they’re more likely to dump digital radio completely. Both DAB and DRM. It’s gotten no traction, the broadcasters will be asking taxpayers for money to install transmitters, said broadcasters will say it costs too much and the broadcasters will claim that they can just stream it.
1 Like
Only time will tell, but my gut feeling is that there won’t be any digital radio in the regions. Can’t say I’ll exactly be missing it, having not been impressed with DAB the last time I was in a car that had such a tuner.
As a side note, my next car will only be DAB/FM, I’d rather delete DAB and put AM there instead as it’s 100% useless here with no digital stations.
2 Likes
I think the ship sailed for DAB+ in the regions a few years ago and it would be far too late to start now- especially with streaming only going to get easier and easier as coverage improves/data caps increase/vehicle compatibility improves.
DAB+ in metro areas might have a future for another few years, but market penetration has been too slow and in time I can see broadcasters pulling the pin as they cut costs.
AM, likewise, is going to continue it’s slow decline, but may still have a place for narrowcasting and other niche content in the long term. I’d also personally keep the high powered Local Radio AM transmitters (i.e. 10kW and above) in service for emergencies and remote coverage.
Aside from streaming, I can see FM continuing to survive and thrive in the long term, given that it has the right mix of good coverage penetration, high device compatibility, and reasonable transmitter costs.
2 Likes
Yes I agree with all that. I think it adds weight to the push to somehow get all AM stations onto FM, even in the metros. They need to be looking at all options including a complete re-stack of the FM band if necessary, and look at 0.4 spacings like they have in London for example. I think it’s imperative for the industry to get everyone onto FM. The future is streaming and FM.
2 Likes
There’s also 5G Broadcasting
1 Like
Dog & bone with that one, but I’m about to disappoint you.
5G Broadcast won’t happen in Australia, probably ever, but definitely not in the next 5-10 years, there’s a major worldwide leading broadcast transmitter manufacture, who has been pushing their 5G broadcast system recently & they have approached some of the Australian broadcast transmitter operators to “sell it” & the first question the transmitter operators asked them was, have they approached & got the Australian mobile network operators on board with it, as they own all the spectrum & infrastructure that it needs to work, & they said no & they have no intention of doing so.
They were then told, then don’t expect to sell any 5G broadcast stuff here, because the current broadcasters cant’ do anything or use it without the support & approval of the mobile network operators, & that the broadcasters won’t be approaching the mobile operators to do it, because why would they pay someone else to use their networks to broadcast something the current broadcasters already own & operate themselves.
It’s a great technology & good idea, but the mobile network operators worldwide aren’t going to give up or let someone else use their spectrum for give away prices, the mobile networks pay a premium for the spectrum they have, so won’t be giving it away for others to use, they’ll want it all for their own use.
7 Likes
The other issue I see with 5G broadcasting is also the same one affecting DRM - to my knowledge no hardware sold in Australia over the last few years even supports the 5G broadcasting standards. The more modern cars could receive an OTA update to enable it, but then it still doesn’t really resolve the chicken and egg scenario.
3 Likes
The other issues is the fact a lot of cars are still coming out with 3G/4G modems that don’t have 5G capability eg. my 2024 BYD Seal, it is 4G only and so is my work Ford Ranger
3 Likes