DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) is a new broadcasting system designed to introduce digital broadcasting to medium and short waves. This is done by introducing sophisticated state-of-the-art signal coding and compression, together with extending channel bandwidth. This should result in a dramatic improvement in broadcast quality in the AM broadcast bands.

For short waves, this is particularly exciting, as this technology promises to combine the single most important advantage of short waves (global reach) with a high signal quality previously only achievable with FM broadcasts.

This development has the potential to dramatically transform and revitalize short wave broadcasting.

A historical moment: WiNRADiO experimental equipment receives FM-quality DRM shortwave broadcasts over a distance of over 10,000 miles. (The distance from Radio Netherlands to Melbourne is approx. 10,289 miles or 16,558 km.)

WiNRADiO has understood the importance of DRM from its very inception and we have been closely monitoring the development of this technology with much enthusiasm. We also offered our premises in Melbourne, Australia, to the DRM testing team to conduct long-range reception measurements. At the same time, we also tested prototypes of our G3 Series Receivers, to ensure that these receivers worked well with DRM.

Success! WiNRADiO executives together with the DRM testing team representatives of BBC and Radio Netherlands with an early prototype of the WiNRADiO WR-G303i receiver.

The DRM technology is very demanding, and places much emphasis on the quality of a receiver. One such quality requirement is a very strict phase noise specification and such receivers are typically very expensive. We have taken up that challenge, and, as a result, the low cost WR-G303i receiver on a PCI card was the world's first receiver able to receive DRM without any hardware modification, followed soon by a USB version, the WR-G303e. Similarly, our professional HF receivers, the WR-G313i and WR-G313e, are also DRM-compatible and together with the optional DRM decoders form a superior quality, cost-effective DRM and analog reception system for demanding professional or consumer applications.

DRM is the world's only non-proprietary, digital system for short wave, medium wave and long wave with the ability to use existing frequencies and bandwidth and deliver FM-quality broadcasts across the globe. The inaugural regular broadcast took place on June 16, 2003.

Using WiNRADiO Receivers for DRM

To receive DRM, one needs a quality HF receiver to start with. The WiNRADiO WR-G303i, WR-G303e, WR-G313i and WR-G313e receivers are eminently suitable for DRM thanks to their low phase noise, high sensitivity and suitable bandwidth.

In addition to the receiver, you will also need a DRM Demodulator/Decoder. We have integrated DRM Demodulator/Decoder "plug-ins" specially developed for WiNRADiO HF receivers; the WR-G303 DRM Decoder/demodulator as well as the WR-G313 version.

How to obtain DRM Demodulator/Decoder

In co-operation with VT Merlin Communications, WiNRADiO now offers DRM decoder/demodulator software both for WiNRADiO "G3" receiver range, and third-party receivers. The software can be downloaded and a license key purchased here.