Community Radio Station to Start at Gurgaon, Haryana

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India has signed a
Grant of Permission Agreement with The Restoring Force (TRF) a Gurgaon based
voluntary organization. TRF would establish, maintain and operate a
Community Radio Station at Gurgaon, Haryana. Letter of Intent had been
issued to the organization after recommendations of Inter Ministerial
Committee and seeking requisite clearances from various Ministries. The
Community Radio Station is expected to be operational within three months as
per the agreement. With this, the number of CRS will increase to 55 in the
country.

The Restoring Force (TRF) intends to work all over the country, primarily in
the field of education. The focus of TRF is to provide clean & healthy
environment at schools along with basic facilities to improve the quality of
education by modern means of learning and to grant relief and assistance to
the needy during natural calamities such as famine, earthquake, flood, fire,
persistence, etc and to give donations and other assistance to institutions,
establishment or persons engaged in such relief work.

The Ministry encourages setting up of the Community Radio Stations as it
promises to provide an opportunity to the local communities to express
themselves, share their views and particularly empowerment of women, youth
marginalized groups to take part in local self governance and overall socio
economic and cultural development in the area. The CRS programs will be
based on developmental, agricultural, health, educational, environmental,
social welfare, community development issues and other cultural programs.

(Press Information Bureau, Govt of India)

----
Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE
New Delhi, India

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‘Community radio needs more support’

'Community radio needs more support'

Madurai, Sept. 18 Community radio broadcasting in India needs an enabling environment, according to Mr Ashish Sen, Vice-President, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters.

Community Radio has proven itself in disaster management in several parts of the world.

In India, there is an urgent need to establish such a network to tackle disaster preparedness and mitigation, and the Government should create an enabling environment for this, he told Business Line.

It is less than two-and-half years since the applications for grassroot non-government organsisations (NGOs) were operationalised.. However, till date, less than 50 stations are on air among which only five stations are operated by the NGOs. Of these two are in Tamil Nadu and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. The rest are operated by educational institutions, he said.

The broadcast spectrum in the country has the potential for 5,000 stations of 50 Watt capacity each. The licensing process is stifling the growth prospects. There is a need to have separate policies for educational institutions and NGOs, he said.

The broadcasters need seed money for the purchase of equipment and for capacity building. One of the suggestions has been setting apart one per cent of the profit of private broadcasters, he said.

Mr Ashish Sen was in the city to present a lead paper at s workshop on 'Community Radio for Change' held as part of the 'Madurai Symposium 2009', organised by DHAN Foundation.

-----------------------
Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India

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RADIO AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES 70.

In December, Radio Australia will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary! RA wants its listeners—both long-time and new--to be an integral part of the festivities. Here’s how you can join in.

RA invites your personal written and audio contributions about your relationship with Radio Australia. Your essay and/or statement should include some or all of the following information:

** How long have you been listening to Radio Australia?

** How do you hear RA? - shortwave, the Internet, World Radio Network, partner station, etc. (any or all of these and when/how)

** Has this changed over the years as RA placed increasing emphasis on delivery platforms other than shortwave?

** What in your opinion sets Radio Australia apart from other international broadcasters?

** Has Radio Australia taught you things about Australia and its way of life you would not otherwise have known?

** What can Radio Australia do to ensure that you continue listening to our broadcasts?

** Have you have any anecdotes to tell us from your time as an RA listener? (For instance, did you turn to RA for coverage of a specific event; do you have fond memories of your favourite presenter, newsreader or
programme?



It would be preferred if contributions were written or spoken in your own style in a personally coherent, story-like, “conversational” form, and not as a series of answers to the above questions. Those who are able and willing to do so should feel encouraged to record their message and attach it as a MP3 file along with the text of their message.

Occasionally, long-time listeners are moved to send RA “scanned” attachments of ancient QSL cards, photographs or other “historical” bits and pieces which makes them feel particularly and personally linked to RA. Such material would be warmly welcomed.


RA will have a 70th Birthday website which will feature these written and recorded contributions. Portions of the recorded contributions will also be used on-air.

RA looks forward to contributions from our listeners in Asia, the Pacific and around the world. Past and present RA listeners in the US, Canada, Europe and Africa are warmly encouraged to participate as well.

Emails should be sent to:
radioaustralia@radioaustralia.net.au

For those who still put pen to paper the postal address for contributions is:

English Service 70th Birthday,
Radio Australia,
GPO Box 428G,
Melbourne, 3001,
Victoria, Australia.
(DXLD Via John Figliozzi)

Note: QSL contribution is Mr. V. Balasubramaniyam, East Tambaram, Chennai.The Particular QSL he received on 29 December1969. He listen the programme at 0615 IST on 17.87 Mc/s. Cover photo derives The Waratah, one of the Australia's most handsome wildflowers. It is generally, if unofficially, accepted as the floral emblem of new South Wales. Mr. Balasubramaniyam contact mobile number is +91 99520 67358.

Symbiosis Institute to host National Radio Meet this weekend

Pune based Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication will host the National Radio Meet'09 at its Lavale Campus on 19-20 September 2009.

The National Radio Meet (NRM) aims to bring together the first-in-command of the top private radio stations in the country and stalwarts of the Indian radio scene on one platform, giving media aspirants and tudents from across the nation an exclusive opportunity to interact with the best, in both the creative and administrative areas of the Indian radio industry.

Following up on the success of the event held last year, which featured the legendary radio host Ameen Sayani, Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit, Mirchi programming head Tapas Sen, Radio One's Vehrnon Ibrahim and others, speaking on the evolution and growth of radio through time. NRM'09 has roped in equally distinguished, proficient and prominent professionals from the Radio channels- the cream of the radio industry today-

Vineeth Singh Hukmani, CEO, Radio One

Nisha Narayan, Project Head, S FM

Monica Nayyar, Director, Radio Choklate

AHM Baziur Rehman, CEO, Coastal NGO's for Radio and Communication

Krutika Rawat, RJ from Dubai

Tapas Sen, National programming Head, Radio Mirchi

The themes for the two day event are as follows:

1) Existing Revenue Models and possibilities of exploring new sources for the Radio Industry

2) Existing Brand Strategies and re-branding options available to radio stations today

3) Growing opportunities in the field of Social Development and Communication using radio as an instrument for change

4) Regional radio flavours and content diversification in the industry today

Conceptualized by the media trainees of SIMC under the leadership of Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury, Dean, Symbiosis International University and the Director, SIMC, NRM'09 is all set to look at a medium that has fast grown from the shadows of its more popular cousins and geared to go global even as the content gets localised. The National Radio Meet will be a forum where a massive youth audience of over a thousand, apart from our media friends, including the radio fraternity, will interact with the top executives and creative honchos of the Indian radio industry.

Livening up the talks are contests- Live RJ hunt, Best Business Plan for Commercial Radio Station, Best Business Plan for Community Radio Station and Best Programming contests with over Rs.25000 to be won in cash apart from internships.

The Highlight of the Day is the Launch of SymbiFM and Diploma in Radio Management, a course backed by Radio One and BBC.

Day 1 - 19 September

10.00 am - 11.00 am -Inauguration and key note address

11.30 am – 1.30 pm - Session with the top executives of various leading radio channels on New Revenue Models and possibilities in the Radio Industry today

1.30 pm - 2.30pm -Break

2.30 pm - 4.30 pm -Session on the growing potential of Social and Developmental Communication using radio as an instrument for change

4.30 pm - 6.30 pm -Presentation of the best business model (commercial and community) and the top programming idea

Day 2 – 20 September

10.00 am -1.00 pm - Regional radio flavours and content diversification in the radio industry today

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm - Launch of Symbi FM and Radio Management Course

2.00 pm - 3.00 pm Break

3.00 pm - 5.00 pm - Session on Existing brand strategies and Re –branding options available to Radio stations today

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm – Signing off and vote of thanks

Source: http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/symbiosis-institute-host-national-radio-meet-weekend

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Tamil Nadu to have one more community radio station

The Information and Broadcasting (I&B)Ministry has granted permission to the PGP Educational & Welfare Society for setting up, maintaining and operating another community radio station (CRS) at the Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. With this, the total number of community radio stations in the country will rise to 53.
The objective of the CRS will be to disseminate useful socio- economic information, legal and other schemes available to the public. It will also broadcast contents regarding developments in education, choice of subjects of study, career guidance, job market and how to develop personality, motivation, self-confidence and communication skills. The CRS aims to work towards eradication of social evils, latest development in agriculture, animal husbandry and poultry for general public in the area.
- Topnews.in 18/09

RFA RELEASES ANNIVERSARY QSL CARD

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces its 13th anniversary QSL card which began use on September 1st. This QSL card celebrates RFA's 13 years of broadcast excellence. RFA's first broadcast was in Mandarin on September 29, 1996 at 2100 UTC. This QSL card will be used for all confirmed reception reports dated September 1 - December 31, 2009. The design used is one of many drawings made by the children of RFA personnel earlier this year. This card
not only commemorate RFA's 13th anniversary but also helps capture the spirit of the RFA's family and friends around the world while promoting peace, freedom and democracy.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and
incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a 'surrogate' broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack.
RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org. RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.

RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb. rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX'ers, but also from its general listening audience. Reception reports are also accepted by email at
qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.
(AJ Janitschek)

Veteran broadcaster 'Thenkatchi' Swaminathan passes away

Thenkatchi Ko Swaminathan, the notable radio and television personality, died at a private hospital in the city after a massive heart attack.

Anchoring Inru Oru Thagaval, a five-minute motivation capsule on day-to-day life laced with moral values and good humour that was on AIR for 14-straight years, Swaminathan was a huge hit among listeners when public broadcasting was at its zenith.

An alumnus of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Swaminathan, a native of Thenkatchi village on the banks of Kollidam river, quit government service to be a farmer in his native. After seven years of farming, he joined All India Radio to popularise agricultural programmes for the benefit of the farming community. His scientific background in agriculture and the ability to communicate with his simple style of speech, filled with anecdotes and short stories, reached out to the villagers in a big way.

He began writing at the age of 17 when his first poem was published in the magazine run by Bharatidasan and he continued to write short stories till his death. Swaminathan was asked to anchor Inru Oru Naal' on July 1, 1988. "The station director asked me to host it everyday for a month. I went on to talk for 14 years. All sections of the society liked it. "I was surprised at the response," he said in an interview once. After retiring from service as assistant director after 24 long years in AIR, Swaminathan continued his pep talk shows' on telelvision channels. Indha Naal Iniya Naal in Sun TV was his latest show.

He is survived by his wife and daughter. (TOI Chennai Edition)

Broadcast India 2009 Exhibition from October 29

The 19th Broadcast India 2009 Exhibition will be held on 29–31 October, 2009 in Hall V - Bombay Exhibition Centre, Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India.

The Broadcast India 2009 show covers all aspects of Television, Film, Radio, Video, Audio, IPTV, Mobile TV, Computer Graphics, Visual Effects, Multimedia, Music, Lights, Cable, Satellite, Broadband, Internet, Transmission and all the leading innovations from the infotainment industry.

Over 500 companies from 31 countries will exhibit their latest products, launches, technologies and services for the film and television industry at the show.

Present at the show will be some of the world's leading manufacturers like Panasonic, Harris, Benchmark, VIZRT, Grass Valley, AVID, Playbox, da vinci, Seachange, Datavideo, Hitachi, Digital Vision, ARRI, Panther, P+S Technik, Cooke Optics, Canon, Dalet, RCS, Daxco, DVS, Digital Rapids, Sennheiser, Monarch & WASP3D to name just a few. For complete list of exhibitors, please visit our website.

The Broadcast India Conference to be held from 29 – 30 October, 2009 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, is a must attend event that provides a unique opportunity to hear eminent speakers from India and abroad. The Conference will cover wide range of topics on Television, Film, Audio, Radio, IPTV, Mobile TV, Animation and Visual Effects.

Source: http://www.tvnext.in/news/153/ARTICLE/2289/2009-09-14.html

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Delhi HC directs govt to refund licence fee to 4 FM bidders

NEW DELHI: Four successful bidders for FM radio channels won a legal battle ten years after they had paid the licence fee of Rs 280 million which was forfeited by the Government.

The Delhi High Court directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to refund Rs 70 million to each bidder within the next four weeks.

A Bench comprising Justices A P Shah and Manmohan said there was no clause in the agreement under which the Government could forfeit the advance licence fee.

Read it details on http://www.indiantelevision.com

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BARC Golden Jubilee contest results

Dear Fellow Hams & SWLS As part of the BARC Golden Jubilee Celebrations and HamfestIndia2009, BARC Golden Jubilee HF contest was held on 23 & 24 May (Phone) and on 30 & 31 May 2009 (CW). The following are the results declared by the Contest Judges VU3ITI & VU3VRL. Thanks to Varadan, VU3ITI for coordinating as a Judge for this event. Phone Contest VU3SIO-Sanil Deep, 1st Place VU3WIB-Dalayan, 2nd Place VU2YE–Ramesh, 3rd Place VU2UR–Arasu, 4th Place VU2JQX-Anil Kumar, 5th place Special Prize for SWL Participant: (VU2003SWL) Siddhalingesh Basawanal CW Contest VU2JQX-Anil Kumar, 1st Place VU2JOS-Jose, 2nd Place VU2PAL – Pal, 3rd Place VU2GUR – Guru, 4th Place VU2UR – Arasu, 5th Place The Mementos & Certificates for the winners will be distributed during HamfestIndia 2009. The participation certificates to all the participants will also be distributed. The 18th Hamfest in India, HamfestIndia 2009 and Bangalore Amateur Radio Club (BARC) - VU2ARC Golden Jubilee Celebrations is just round the corner. The event being conducted in Bangalore this year and is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, 7 & 8 November 2009. The venue is Sri Nijagunara Kshetra, Bull Temple Road, Bangalore. We welcome all Hams and SWLs to be part of this Festival in Bangalore with your family and friends. Please log on to www.hamfestindia. com for full details regarding Delegate Registration. We request you to register early and encourage us with your support 73 Ramesh Kumar VU2LU Member, Organising Committee HamfestIndia 2009 Cellphone: 91-9845057731 (Via DX_India)

---

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BBC considers part-privatisation of BBC Worldwide

The BBC is considering part-privatisation of BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, its Director General said.

By Urmee Khan, Digital and Media Correspondent
Published: 9:56PM BST 13 Sep 2009

BBC Worldwide sells the rights to popular shows such as Strictly Come Dancing to international buyers and also publishes magazines and licenses merchandise from popular programmes such as Top Gear.

The lucrative division of the BBC had revenues of about £1bn last year.

Mark Thompson, the director general, said it was an option as part of a wide-ranging review, which will be published early next year.

To read detail story
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6184991/BBC-considers-part-privatisation-of-BBC-Worldwide.html

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All India Radio special transmission for "Mahalaya"

from R A D I O A C T I V I T Y by Alokesh Gupta

"Mahalaya" is a special two hour tranmission consisting of Sanskrit recitation & music orated by Late Shri.Birendra Krishna Bhadra. All India Radio has been broadcasting this since early 1930s . Count down of Durga Puja starts from the day of Mahalaya.

Last year foll AIR channels were noted carrying special Mahalaya transmission :

4835 - AIR Gangtok
4940 - AIR Guwahati
4965 - AIR Shimla
666 - AIR Delhi
747 - AIR Lucknow A
774 - AIR Shimla
954 - AIR Najibabad
1008 - AIR Kolkata B

Also check out :
4820 - AIR Kolkata
657 - AIR Kolkata A

Related links :

Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess , A Once-a-Year Popular Radio Program
http://hinduism.about.com/cs/audiomusic/a/aa092003a.htm

Mahalaya - Birendrakrishna Bhadra
http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/
radio

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Successful IBC for DRM

from DIGITAL radio mondiale - News

The complete global DRM standard, with standard enhancement to include DRM+ for broadcasting at frequencies up to 174 MHz, and DRM Receiver Profiles were both unveiled at IBC this week.

At the DRM Consortium's annual networking event on Friday 11th September at the IBC 'Beach', senior members of the Consortium provided updates on recent DRM developments including the availability of commercial receivers to the large audience.

Detail story on www.drm.org

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DRM Receiver Profiles released at IBC 2009

Amsterdam, 11th Sep 2009: The DRM Digital Radio Receiver Profiles, which define minimum functionality for different classes of digital radio receivers, have been released in Amsterdam at IBC today. The Profiles aim to help manufacturers build stand-alone DRM or multi-standard receivers and stimulate digital radio markets across the world.

The Receiver Profiles offer significant benefits to all stakeholders in the radio market; for broadcasters they provide assurance that their services will be receivable and for manufacturers that their technology investments will be supported by a wide choice of services. For consumers the Receiver Profiles ensure that the products they purchase have the necessary features to offer consistent quality and assured levels of interoperability across their region and beyond. Regulators can use the Receiver Profiles to develop strategies and policies for digital radio broadcasting within national boundaries or with reference to trans-national and harmonised markets.

The DRM Receiver Profiles detail document can be accessed by clicking on the link below. http://www.drm.org/press

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Sirius FM-5 now fully operational

Sirius FM-5, the latest addition to Sirius XM Radio, America's satellite radio company, is now fully operational. The satellite broadcasts Sirius XM programming and data services to Sirius stations in North America.

It's designed to provide focused power in areas of peak population such as metropolitan areas on the east and west coast as well as significantly improving reception when driving under heavy foliage.

"For our Sirius subscribers, FM-5 brings significantly improved performance to their cars as well as their homes and offices. We expect FM-5 to provide exceptional service for many years to come, while improving the overall performance, reliability and longevity of our satellite fleet," says Sirius XM Radio CEO Terry Smith.

Source: http://www.indiantelevision.com/

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Radio stations smitten by social networking bug

After their stimulating presence across various media platforms, radio stations are now hooked on to the social networking bandwagon to grab listeners' attention.

This is because the platform not only creates a two-way interaction between the source and the receiver but also helps in spreading brand presence through the viral format.

As a result, while Radio Mirchi has crafted a networking setup within its own website to engage listeners, Fever FM has taken up the social networking route to garner incremental audiences.

Detail story on: http://www.indiantelevision.com

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PARD Vaanoli Community Radio

People’s Action for Rural Development (PARD) is a civil society institution set up in Madurai as early as 1988. Initially, PARD started working with urban slum dwellings in the city of Madurai, but soon expanded its activities to become the main coordinator of LISA Network (Low Inputs for Sustainable Agriculture), and also moved to rural areas of Tamil Nadu, in order to implement micro-finance actvities with rural women.

About two years back, soon after the Central Government released the community radio guidelines, PARD applied for a license. However, the Letter of Intent was not provided to PARD. Moreover, no reason was provided for rejection of the application. PARD applied to the High Court, and this is perhaps the first instance where the government has been taken to court specifically on community radio. It would hearten supporters of the movement to know that since the government had not given any reason, nor could they justify why they had rejected the application, the government just as suddenly passed the application.

A couple of months ago, PARD finally got its Wireless Operating License, with considerable patience and courage shown by director, Mr. James Rajasekharan, and with equally considerable help from Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA). Without any fund or any other kind of support, PARD mobilised internal support to set up a basic low cost radio station. Finally after receipt of WOL, UNESCO agreed to pitch in with some support through the International Program for Development of Communication (IPDC), a major forum of the UN, with member states pitching in with support. This support includes four capacity building programs, some nominal support for equipment and one transmitter and antenna from NOMAD India Network.

Set about 30 kilometers from Madurai, PARD Vaanoli has a full time team of 7 people, with 2 announcers, 2 field reporters and 3 reporters/editors. Further, PARD has also mobilised about 6 volunteers from Madurai who are basically slum development workers, but are expected to pitch in with the radio as well.

PARD Vaanoli has already started producing programs with their production set up, and in July, NOMAD India has successfully installed a transmitter and antenna. This means that PARD Vaanoli is all set to go.

While PARD’s courage and tenacity in starting their community radio station in the face of obstacles from the government and sans support from donor agencies, other civil society networks etc, the fact remains that PARD Vaanoli is a station in its infancy and still requires a lot of support in terms of capacity building; secondary equipment; seed funding, programmatic support, and so on.

It is with a sense of keen anticipation that one will watch the progress of this tough station, and how it will slowly but surely make a remarkable difference to the community in and around Thirumangalam, Madurai. We wish them all the very best, and hope to continue our association with them in the future as well.

By Ram • August 7, 2009 (Source:http://maraa.in)

WRTH 2010 available for Pre-Order from 1st November

Reserve your copy of the brand new WRTH!
Host: WRTH - World Radio Tv Handbook
Type: Other - Retail
Network:Global
Start Time: Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 11:55pm
WRTH website: http://www.wrth.com
Email: sales@wrth.com

From 1st November, the 2010 edition of WRTH will be available to pre-order through the WRTH website. The 2009 edition is still available via the website. (Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India Via Sean Gilbert, WRTH International Editor)

Pard community radio hits the airwaves

Madurai based community radio - Vaanoli by The People Association of Rural Development (PARD) was officially inaugurated on 8 September 2009. It was inaugurated by Madurai district collector Dr G Nammalvar who opened the recording room and Dr Sundara Aavudaiyappan, Programme Executive, All India Radio, Madurai Radio opened the broadcasting room.
The station was launched in presence of the local village community and local body members from various villages. Naguveer Prakash from Kalanjiam Radio also participated in this programme.

Vaanoli, launched at Pudupatty in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu Pudupatty will cover areas of Tirumanagalam, Kallupatti, Kalibendu and Peraiyur. The station aims to reach 50 villages in these blocks and adjoining areas. The radio will air content educating the rural community on issues such as health, social awareness, and agriculture. The target audience of the station is rural people, specially women and labourers. Hence, it will promote functional education, legal education and cultural development of the villages and women's empowerment.

CEMCA provided the Pard community radio with the initial training. The radio station started its broadcast for four hours initially from 3 pm to 7 pm and would soon extend the broadcast.

PARD had applied for a CR license in March 2007 and it received the Letter of Intent from I&B ministry in May 2008. It will start the transmission by August or the first week of September 2009.

http://www.radioand music.com/ Via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India

DRM system enhancement approved by ETSI

from DIGITAL radio mondiale - News

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) system enhancement has been approved by the European Standards Organisation – ETSI. The DRM system revision v3.1.1 offers two major improvements like the extension to all broadcast bands up to 174MHz and the introduction of MPEG surround support. The DRM system specification was revised to incorporate an additional mode designed for the lower VHF band (i.e. broadcast frequencies between 30MHz and 174MHz) allowing operation in bands I and II (the FM band). This standard enhancement is called DRM+.

The membership vote for the new DRM System Specification (ETSI ES 201 980 V3.1.1) was closed and approved last week by a majority of members, including Russia and the US. A download version of the DRM system specification is now available on the ETSI website, http://www.etsi.org.

The DRM+ initiative began with a vote at the 2005 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium deciding to extend the standard to higher frequencies. The additional mode for DRM+ was agreed and finalised after testing and verifying the design with both laboratory and field based tests. Then the ETSI standardised DRM system specification was updated.

This extension completely shares the successful design philosophy of the DRM standard. Therefore, DRM+ has the same multiplex and signaling scheme, the same OFDM design and the same audio codecs as DRM30 (i.e. DRM on broadcast frequencies up to 30MHz). DRM+ is implemented in the standard as robustness mode E. Its spectrum usage parameters are determined from the internationally agreed norms in the FM band (88 to 174MHz). Therefore it has an occupied bandwidth of 95 kHz and a frequency grid of 100 kHz.

ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is recognised as an official European Standards Organisation by the European Union. ETSI standards are available as free-of-charge downloads worldwide.

Hailing this development as a landmark in the history of DRM Digital Radio, Ruxandra Obreja, Chairperson DRM and Controller Business Development BBC World Service, said: "This makes the DRM system complete and it offers broadcasters a total digital solution in all bands – LW, SW, MW, band I and band II (the FM band). DRM+ will make radio sound its best ever with features such as CD-quality audio and surround sound effects. DRM is already the best digital solution for long-distance broadcasting on broadcast frequencies below 30 MHz. And now local and regional broadcasting will get the same digital radio benefits with adoption of the extended DRM standard for broadcast frequencies above 30 MHz."

All features of the updated DRM system specification will be on display at IBC2009 in Amsterdam from 11th-14th September.

> Click here to read the press release in pdf format.
http://www.drm.org/

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