New Tecsun PL-880 DSP SW SSB radio receiver

In Tecsun BBS forum we saw a new Tecsun PL 880 model picture

which is written as FM STEREO / LW / MW / SW-SSB PLL SYNTHESIZED RECEIVER - yet in the description area we can see the mention of DSP - how ii it? We wonder...

From first look it appears to be a advanced version of PL-380 with bigger tuning knobs - bigger than PL660 and a new style of speaker cover - the speaker also claimed as new dynamic speaker - we can see... a so-called ultra-dynamic full-range speaker is used. The design of the audio section of PL880 might have benefited from Tecsun’s experience on making a few portable media-players (Tecsun A3/D3/X3/etc.) in the past couple of years.
We should note PL380 is a DSP portable and PL600 or PL660 is PLL Synthesized receiver not DSP.

They claimed the AM section of this new model adopts an architecture similar to ATS909X, i.e. dual conversion to 2nd IF of 450 KHz which is then inputted as RF signal into Si4734/5 and further down coverted to the IC's "low IF" for DSP decoding. so it is PLL Synthesized and IF is based on DSP just like Sangean it seems.

It doesn't say anything about RDS which is great on Sangean ATS909X, and can’t remember that any Tecsun radio has RDS support.

 They said 18650 Li-ion rechargeable batteries are used in this model.

Like Sangean it includes separate LSB/USB but 10 Hz step for SSB (implies dual PLL?). You know Sangean ATS 909X has 40 Hz fine tuning on SSB so better resolution eh?

No mention of Sync. detection is a big loss like Sangean over Sony ICF 7600GR.
There are four (2.3/3.5/5.0/9.0 kHz) AM bandwidths and five (0.5/1.2/2.3/3.0/4.0 kHz) SSB bandwidths. This could be a huge improvement over ATS909X which makes no use at all of the seven IF bandwidth provided by Si4735. But Tecsun users already know that Tecsun's DSP portable always came with 5 bandwidth options 1/2/3/4/6 kHz  from PL310 and they are very sharp.

Sizes: 192 mm x 113 mm x 33 mm, that is about 7.5 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
Can be charged via miniUSB power socket like many other Tecsun portables.

If you ask me whether should go for this one, I will say no because I havn't tested it yet and I found non DSP Tecsun PL 660 pretty outstanding then other Tecsun DSP based receivers.

Reviews of DR111 DRM Radio from Chengdu NewStar Electronics

This is a collective summery of feedback and reviews of DR111 DRM currently the only Standalone receiver available in the market for about $ 120 + Shipping approx. $45 USD worldwide + import duty.

Recently PCJ Media & PCJ Radio based in Taiwan did a sort of review of DR111 DRM Receiver - we start it with first...


Victor Goonetilleke (4S7VK) adds to it -

My observations: very similar. Tuning around is very bad and and you have to stop on a freq and wait 2 seconds for the audio to come thru, as if the processor is VERY slow. The punch in ..at least closest to it, is a disaster where you have to change each digit by up or down buttons. eg. you are tuned to 15235. To change to 7190 you have to 0 the 1, then change 5, 2,3,5 and then go to normal position to get the audio. In all it takes about a minute to do that. If you use the tuning knob, first you push it in to get to tuing position, select slow, its darn slow other than to fine tune, push fast tuning, if you tune too fast it will move a MHz and you have no control over it, good for finger exercises, and you have to come back and finally when you come to your frequency you see it on the display but no audio, for which you have to push the tuining/volume knob back to get the audio. It is a great radio not for listening pleasure, but to build patience!!!! DRM: my strongest signal here whether on a DRM rx or analog S-metre is BBC 5845 from Nakon Thailand. On the whip antenna the DR111 had say 70% with drop out 30%. With a long wire,( not very long overloading,) I get 100% with an occasional palpitation!! All in all as a Stand alone DRM rx or to be fair by the receiver, even if it is a poorly shaped plastic box I can't have even full reception with an external antenna of the AIR, BBC, Vatican transmissions beamed to me. I don't know whether the problem is with DRM itself or the DR111. DRM is great when it comes in but to deliver that signal to a $100 or less rx is DRMs main hurdle. However, even if the DR111 is a failure, it IS great that a manufacturer even thought of coming out with a DRM standalone. For $35 I say go for it because you can experience DRM albeit with dropouts and it has a fairly good MP3 playing input for a USB stick and FM is quite ok to have in your bathroom or pantry not to miss the news or have a little mx while you chop the onions. FINAL decision? Still a long way to go, don't waste $135. My price tag is $25.

PS: immaculate white for the cabinet is a poor choice too.

Note: for more please read till the end of this post...

We also found a good review of DR111 on http://www.omnirep.se/drm/dr111.html which is more technical, but also explains the drawbacks like volume control / tuning combo, It doesn't offer to run on batteries (cells) so not portable, the reveiwer from Europe by default finds it performing well in DRM but mentions Scan function is not much good at all. [ QUOTE "Just for my curiosity, I pressed scan half an hour into the TDP transmission on 6015 kHz and during the last 30 minutes the DR111 did NOT stop again before the transmission was over - despite a solid RF signal here 470 km away from the TX." ]

Here he also mentions the power consumption is 250 mA or below and connecting a power adapter more than 5 V DC causes damage to the receiver. Also about the antenna system he mentions "performance on the telescopic antenna - to my liking - is a bit weak. When I switched to my roof-top active antenna I got much better reception."

Keith Perron also mentioned this in a forum "The other thing about this radio is it can only be used with AC. Now India where it seems DRM will take off how can you market a radio that only works on AC when the vast majority of people have drastic power cuts."

Well some more conversations (interesting & informative) in this matter from Facebook goes below...

Keith Perron writes in facebook on 19 July 2012

"Here is something weird. As you may know I have two DR111 DRM receivers. I also got an extra one which was sent to Victor Goonetilleke in Sri Lanka so he can try it out. Last week we had a few exchanges of emails. But then when I sent two recordings of the same frequency at the same time that shows the DR111 is poor on regular shortwave reception compared to a Tecsun S2000 and Tecsun PL660. Guess what not a peep from them. The email was sent to the same people proving there is a problem with the receiver. And nothing. Not a sound. Is this the kind of company DRM alines itself with? The DR111 has a major problem, but it seems NewStar who is making them doesn't care or doesn't know how to address it. Oh wait I have an idea. Bring in an expert who knows something about international broadcasting."

And later he updated as "This is an update on the post I put 10 hours ago. If you read it I was saying that the DR111 has very poor performance on regular shortwave and DRM is even worse. I sent the company two clips of the same frequency 17750khz at the same time 0233UTC of Radio Australia. I didn't hear anything back for days until I got this short reply in my email this morning 'Don't do a review of the DR111. Only do a review of the FM and AM performance. If your radio station does any negative press about the performance of the DR111 we will never sell to your station again.' I find this so funny. "

Then I also seen they have removed many things from their website recently, in past they were highlighting that they developed UniWave DRM receivers firmware - no need to to say the French standalone DRM receiver was also a failure, and never got into mass production!!!

Mark Coady from Canada told "Although it's a great receiver in its own right, part of the reason I bought the Alinco DX-R8T (their new desktop SW receiver) was the ability to decode DRM with appropriate software. There is precious little to decode in Eastern North America. To date, I have successfully only heard REE via Costa Rica in Spanish. As far as I am concerned, like digital TV is a conspiracy on behalf of cable and satellite TV providers to grow their business, DRM is a ploy by some manufacturers to sell us receivers we don't really need."

Keith Perron also mentioned later "You know I have a Tecsun R911. It costs 9USD and performs much better than the DR111 for regular shortwave."

Victor Goonetilleke from Sri Lanka commented as "I want DRM to succeed but I am no Godfather of any mode because half my life revolves around HF International broadcasting. If it works I will be the first o say so. So far it has disappointed me as a waste of money and diverting funds to a mode that hardly anyone can enjoy as a delivery means of International broadcasting, as well as eating into the budget of regular shortwave. So far its ironical that quite a few of the stations that experimented with DRM have bitten the dust. RCI 1500-1530 via SMG 17815 is no more as expected. India keeps messing up the regular spectrum and so does Russia. I wish they would concentrate entirely outside the regular analog sections like 9950, 15050 and drop off 15140, 11710 and Vatican 17815 to name a few."

Mark Coady later updates "Keith, I with Victor Goonetilleke. I want DRM to work but it seems to be more smoke and mirrors than technological breakthrough."

I later commented as "In my 17 years of DXing and 22+ years of SWL last 7 years only using receivers costing more than 10 USD, and I heard no less than 100 countries with those receivers... The bad part of DRM is it puts annoying hash on other analogue broadcast, makes listening useless to nearby channels... And it can be noted that many supporters or pre DRM broadcasters either going off the air or Drastically cut the SW services (DW, RCI, Vatican, RNW, CVC Chile, Poland/Norway, Bulgaria and sure Romania will follow the suit soon)..."

Chris Freitas comments - "It raises the question...is DRM even worth investing right now? No agreements are met. Broadcasters are not devoting enough time and power to DRM programming. Manufacturers have been really slow producing equipment to consumers. On top of that, smartphones and internet radio seem to be a more viable medium than DRM. The number of smartphone users (especially iPhone owners) are increasing with easy to use interfaces and widely available apps like the popular TuneIn Radio. There are hundreds of broadcasters available, which is much more than what DRM can offer. I am not bashing DRM and would like it to succeed. However, it is highly doubtful that it will because of lack of interest, slow development, and newer technologies."

July 12 at 11:56am

Andy Sennitt commented

"RNW was one of the key organisations - along with the BBC, DW and HCJB - that developed the technical specification for DRM that was adopted by the ITU. Our DG Jan Hoek was deputy chairman of the DRM consortium for several years. Jan-Peter Werkman, who later became the RNW frequency manager, was assigned exclusively to DRM for three years, and travelled the world making measurements and recordings of test transmissions.The results were impressive.

However, IMHO the DRM consortium made a mistake by not insisting on a specific DRM sub-band in each of the SW broadcast bands, and DRM transmissions popped up on or near the frequencies of analogue transmissions and caused interference. Another mistake they made - and I warned them about this - was only to 'sell' the idea to other engineers - the people they should have been talking to were the management of the broadcasters.

The interference to analogue signals was pounced upon by DXers, and some DX clubs conducted a campaign against DRM. The big receiver companies were waiting for an enthusiastic response from potential customers that never came. So there was no incentive to design and manufacture DRM receivers. That was left to a few small companies that produced small quantities of sets, of varying quality.

Meanwhile, global satellite TV networks and the Internet were beginning to supplant shortwave as the key information platforms in Europe and North America, so the potential market was shrinking. DRM has become a 'white elephant'. That's a great pity, because the technology works, but IMHO the DRM consortium is the victim of its own short-sightedness and stubbornness :-( "

July 13 at 12:54am

My comment on it was "Yes separate sub band for DRM would have been better as Victor always said too, and now smart phone are so cheap and in countries like India where 2G and 3G internet is becoming cheaper everyday and every corner has it, listening internet streams on smart phones offer much more variety of stations, content and choice, plus when I can have a phone + internet browser+ many other facilities with radio listening options on demand just for 50 USD or so why I would invest another 100+ dollar to help some test product for 10-12 years, Hi!"

July 13 at 1:03am

Keith Perron updates about his experience later "I have been trying to listen to 15050khz. It keeps cutting in an out every 10 seconds or so. But when I use the IF out on my Tecsun S2000 there is no problem at all and the signal is nice and strong."

July 13 at 8:22pm

Keith Perron also updated as

QUOTE

This afternoon I was emailing back and forth with Nigel Holmes the Frequency Manager of Radio Australia. Radio Australia ordered a few of them. This is what Nigel said "The DR111 is appalling." This is from someone who is the Frequency Manager of one of the most respected stations in the Asia/Pacific that is hoping to use DRM as a distribution platform. But he thinks "The DR111 is appalling."

UNQUOTE

Victor Goonetilleke adds

QUOTE

let me update my review we did on MNP of the DR111. I have been using it for one week now. I won't recommend it to anyone

1. UNLESS they change the tuning system. SW signals are fair at times good of international broadcasts to my area. But it can not com pare with a Teksun PL600 because of much better sensitivity, SSB, airband. 
2. IF the DR111 comes better built, not white, keypad tuning like a normal radio and the price is reduced to $100 or give more features like SSB I WILL recommend it as a starting point for a standalone radio with an external antenna because this is one set people can use as a stand alone rx. If they can also use it with 9v which can give portable battery use and also improve on the Design which is so odd and aesthetically awful, it should be satisfactory. 

After all for $135 you can't get Icom or Yaesu quality. If I can't get 100% reliability with my Perseus and external matched antenna how can the DR111 give me at $135. So I say as a starter or you want to have DRM possibility as an added feature without a computer, I like the DR111's performance for this price ONLY if the recommended developments can be carried out.

PS: I think I can not pin all the sins of DRM on the DR111. I like to thank the manufacturer for taking the bold step to mass produce a DRM standalone. I wish they had done a few models and carried out a pilot project.

Again - Everything in the DR111, speakers, cabinet, FM/AM/SW tuner can be sold for much less than the price if I look at what is selling on the market for that price. Can someone tell me if the DRM chip that is used can not be sold for less than $100???? At the Colombo DRM workshop there were at least 2 Indian chip developers. As I mentioned before I bought a lovely LCD TV 22" for $150.

UNQUOTE

John A. Figliozzi from USA adds

QUOTE

Well, I decided to obtain one (DR111) since I'm one of those that has complained about a lack of consumer grade DRM receivers for years. In comparison to analog sw receivers--even relatively inexpensive one--Nigel is right; it is appalling. The audio is tinny, even rudimentary controls (like bass and treble, a direct entry keypad) are missing and the DSP chip within it has that annoying "pumping" action on weak signals. It is very sensitive off the whip, to the point where RNZI in DRM comes in most nights quite well (25kW aimed toward the Pacific and I'm near the east coast of NA). And you can plug in a better speaker to get the full benefit of the DRM signal. It is a major improvement over past DRM receivers, both in terms of performance and price. Unfortunately, that's not saying much--or enough.

UNQUOTE

Victor Goonetilleke adds another day -

"To night DRM is better than in the last week. Under test 30 minutes AIR 15050 was 99% ok with the whip. BBC 5845 also the same, true had a quick dropout but due to the quality I can excuse that. But off beam transmissions are hard. For starters I would say, Newstar should not abandon this. Improve it and it would have a futuire, but it has to come fast."

Richard Cuff add to it -

QUOTE

I am not sure DRM will ever do better than two seconds for intelligent audio on shortwave - after all, the encoding / decoding process is the same as for Internet audio - AAC - and you have a limited, fixed bandwidth to work with on top of that. The tuning process sounds just awful...it would seem to me that you would do all tuning in analog mode and only switch to DRM once you have found a frequency with that telltale sound...sort of how "AFC" tuning was done on an FM radio back in the 1960s.

UNQUOTE

Victor Goonetilleke comments on above

"No Richard Cuff: Analog and DRM tuning is separate. To get to DRM you press the DRM key and one of 3 pre sets appear and you have to tune up or down from any of those. Manual tuning; press up or down key once it moves 5 kHz. Press it down and wait 2 seconds it starts scannaing up or down and will sometimes stop at a DRM station but usually goes over and of course there is no audio like on normal analog as you pass a station be it on DRM.AM.FM, that 2 seconds processor time prevails. In short that tuning has to change. After tuning some days now I feel sensitivity is OK for a cheap radio and as a DRM radio it is OK IF the tun ing is fixed, different colour not white and hardier. On DRM once you get to the station and connect an external antenna I feel it is as good as any or as bad as DRM itself has some problems."

In our next pick on DRM we will discuss about DRMas a technology and how it's being implemented - pro's & con's

I have tried to maintained every ones comments and experiences exactly as they were...

Any feedback on this post can be mailed to dxing (at) india (dot) com

DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) in Asia - possibilities and facts

After being around for 10 years or more as a new technology DRM still remains a technology not viable for mass with many restrictions and failure over years. And most DRM promoter broadcasters are ether closing down or leaving Shortwave. Now we see DRM Consortium and their promoters trying hard to come back with support from some broadcasters in developing countries.

People think Digital short-wave broadcasts would be clearer and could carry bits of text too. The technology (known as DRM) has existed for years. But listeners will not buy pricey new radios without content, and broadcasters will not go digital without listeners.

Regarding the TWR Asia DRM test broadcast to Asia recently I wrote this letter to TWR Asia via their contact page - sadly since then they haven't replied my any further communication


Below is what I wrote to TWR when they tested DRM to Asia from Guam in May 2012, since then they havn't replied any of my mail!!! Did I offended them by my comments? never knew!

posted this via TWR.asia contact us page...

QUOTE

Broadcasting via DRM is useless, yes its just useless, when there is only 2-3 people has DRM receiver or DRM receiving capability in entire South Asia - yes about 1.5 Billion people and 3 Listeners - can't believe it right? Just check out how many (or how many people) reception reports you receive on DRM broadcasts from South Asia! And other listeners just listen nasty noise on the same frequency. DRM receiver - there is scarcity of DRM receiver in the market - now the cheapest one Chengdu Electronics DR111 costs about 120 USD plus freight (48 USD) + import duty - and in South Asia people normally buy a receiver within 25 USD. So no one is going to buy one DRM receiver in that price. And DRM listening via exsisting receivers modified or kits? forget it... those are no portable + hectic.

Sadly we here don't have any DRM capable receiver, and I haven't heard anyone has a DRM radio or setup within 1000 kilometers of my place. So sorry I can't listen on DRM, in my receiver its only noise I receive - nothing to hear.

As per an expert DRM only seems to be of use in Europe where there seems to be a plethora of broadcasts. And what is there has to be perfect or it is not decoded...sort of the shortwave version of digital TV which is a conspiracy amongst cable and satellite TV operators to get those of us in the hinterland to sign up with them.

Another expert quotes - I can't think of another technical project, that has been implemented as badly as DRM. It was tried to push along by force, totally forgetting that radio transmissions need LISTENERS and they need receivers for that and they were not available at the same time. Oh, now I remember another: DAB FM digitalisation in Northern Europe. Fortunately it was only a few transmitters.

And some Radio hobbiest also opines as DRM on SW was a retirement project by the few engineers!! And it haven't successful even after more than a decade!

Finally in the DRM we can not hear or decode a signal below S4 or S3, in Analogue we can even listen to more worse signals. So it is up to you that what you chose - a medium that is up to date but do not reach mass or an old reliable method to reach more people.

UNQUOTE

Reading my letter an experienced SWL & DXer commented as follows

"
When television first came out it was experimental with only a few sets capable of receiving the signals but the networks and industry ensured there would be a demand and they filled that need. Every other advance in entertainment has a similar track record from FM radio through CD players to Ipods. DRM took the opposite route of the cart before the horse and it failed miserably. If TWR was offended it's too bad they took your criticisms the wrong way as you did not attack them, or their programming, but a technology that was badly implemented.
"

In reply I also explained as "Yes I always mean that even with single frequency or lowest power station's first priority should be to reach the mass, but DRM offends the basic requirement, but even my statement may sound that I am against DRM - but that's because no sub-band implementation and causing interruptions to analogue broadcasts"

and then a longtime broadcaster and media analyst opined as follows - "Do not assume that the lack of a personal reply means that they have not read your letter. At RNW, every letter and email was read, but there simply wasn't time to reply to them individually. During times of financial restraint, cuts have to me made in areas that are least harmful to programming. One of these is dealing with listener mail. No broadcaster is going to be offended by negative comments about DRM. Some broadcasters still have DRM tests for the purpose of training engineers how to use it. Then, if it ever does become viable - which I admit is extremely unlikely - they will be ready for it."

I replied - Yes, I am sure they read it, actually I saw after that they issued few QSL/e-QSLs where the listener sent reports via there reception report form. Unlike hardliners I am happy with e-confirmations or merely an email, so when others get some for of reply I expected my other 2 reports and a communication may get some email reply, But I agree to your point, & should add your reply is informative too. And regarding RNW,  RCI and NHK the experience was exemplary always - I was always confident that my letter was read and somehow taken into consideration.

To be continued: In future posts we will see review of Stand Alone DRM receiver(s) and DRM as a technology and implementation with facts and figures...

The 2011 George Enescu Festival - Radio Romania International Quiz Contest

"The 2011 George Enescu Festival" Contest

Dear friends, Radio Romania International invites you to participate
in a new prize-winning contest, this time dedicated to the "2011
George Enescu Festival". This music festival was inaugurated in 1958,
in recognition of the appreciation George Enescu, the best known
Romanian musician of all times, enjoyed worldwide.

The 20th edition of the festival will take place between September 1st
and 25th, in Bucharest and other major cities across Romania. The
festival includes almost 120 concerts and shows, grouped in various
categories: "Great World Orchestras", "Chamber Music Recitals and
Concerts", "Midnight Concerts", "World Music", "Opera and Ballet",
"Music of the 21st Century", and, of course, "Enescu and His
Contemporaries". As usual, this event attracts some of the best names
in symphonic music worldwide. You can get details on these events in
our broadcasts, as well as on the website www.festivalenescu.ro, (the
English version). The "George Enescu" International Competition has
four sections: piano, violin, cello and composition.

The artistic director of the event is the world famous music manager
Ioan Hollender, who was born in Timisoara, western Romania, who headed
the Vienna Staatsoper, between 1992 and 2010.

In this contest, we grant prizes related to Enescu and Romanian
symphonic music, but also to Romanian culture in general. The contest
is sponsored by the "Monitorul Oficial" Publishers, with support from
the "Casa Radio" Record and Publishing House.
A violin virtuoso known all over the world, composer, pianist,
conductor and teacher, George Enescu was born 130 years ago, on 19
August 1881 in Liveni, Botosani county, in north eastern Romania. He
is considered one of the greatest composers of the first half of the
20th century. His work includes three completed symphonies, various
other important pieces for voice and orchestra, chamber music, one
opera ("'Oedip"), solo works and lieder. Such great names as Yehudi
Menuhin and Dinu Lipatti are two of the musicians Enescu had a great
influence on.

In order to qualify for one of our prizes you have to provide correct
and complete answers, in writing, by 30 September 2011, posting date,
to a few questions:

1. When and where was George Enescu born?

2. Name at least three compositions by Enescu.

3. Name at least three prestigious musicians attending this year's
edition of the festival (soloists, conductors or orchestras).

4. Which edition of the "George Enescu" International Festival is
running this year?

Please answer by mail, fax, e-mail, on our Facebook page, or by
filling in the form posted on our website. We would also ask you to
tell us what motivated you to participate in the competition. Our
address is: Radio Romania International, 60-64, G-ral. Berthelot
Street, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, PO Box 111, code 010171, fax no.
00.40.21.319.05.62. Our e-mail address is: engl@rri.ro. We are waiting
for your answers by 30 September 2011, posting date. The winners will
be announced in the second half of October 2011.

(Via RRI Website: http://www.rri.ro/art.shtml?lang=1&sec=16&art=143712)

The Degen 1103 modified for DRM

Originally Written by:
Name: Giampiero Bernardini
Location: Milan, Italy

Continuing the experiments on the small but enthusiastic (and inexpensive) Degen DE1103 purchased on eBay. Daniele Giusti, Lodi's list FMDXItaly linked a portable media card to convert the Intermediate frequency from 455 kHz to 12 kHz. The card is produced by Crispino Messina, I5XWW , The output thus obtained can be brought to the computer's sound card (via the in-line or microphone) and demodulated with a proper application. In case we used Dream . Dream allows you to decode DRM broadcasts.

But not only DRM, it can be used to demodulate the signals received in Am, USB, LSB and CW
using a variable filter as you like and then get a much better reception than the receiver used in the traditional way.

Of course to make the demodulation you can use other programs, which are available mostly free downloadable from the Internet. Just noticed something wrong with the fact that the Degen is not shielded. The connection cable (preferably made with coaxial cable) between the degenerate and the conversion board 455/12 should move as far away as possible from the attack by the ferrite antenna and stylus. All information, with the pictures of the modification, can be found on the site FMDX Italy .

More information about changes to portable receivers for DRM can be found on the German site (in German) www.funkerberg.de , segnalatomi by Andrea Borgnino, whose website is certainly visited.

DRM on the Degen 1103

Originally written by fmdxITALY, all rights goes to them. We are giving a English version for your help.

This argument is a bit 'off topic, but since the group moving more than 70 Degen 1103 here are some notes on the evidence of change (by attaching a small card) to receive the DRM.
Daniele Giusti has installed a card that makes a conversion from 450 kHz to 12 kHz. The card works fine, unfortunately there is little space in the receiver and interface interference, but the results are exciting. Anyway here's how he made the change Daniele.

Here, illustrated by some pictures, how to proceed:
after the connections tab

it takes the signal to 450 kHz within the Degen 1103 (but the same thing can be done in any conversion receiver with a 450 or 455 kHz)

In this case, the point at which the signal is a "jumper" located near the ferrite antenna (this "closeness" Unfortunately, because of interference compromising the final results). In the picture we see him first with the radio reception,

then closer

Finally, even with the cable soldered. The jumper can also be extracted to make peace with the welding


Then the mass is also connected

.
To release the cable from the receiver does not need to drill holes in the chassis: you can get him out of the hole for short rope canvas that serves to challenge the receiver.

The radio signal is taken from the card that converts it from 450 to 12 kHz. With another cable sends the signal to 132 kHz audio input of the PC.

On the computer, through the DREAM program (supplied on CD with the card), proceeds to decode the digital signal

Here are the views of Dream, which displays the stations received from Daniel.

Here are the first experiences of Daniel:
Unfortunately, there is a small problem in the audio converted and sent to the headset, there is always a "noise" background, that along with the music or the decoded speech, you also feel the 12 kHz signal that "passes" through the circuit of the computer.
I also heard perfectly only 3995 kHz radio Deutsche Welle, while the other three issuers have decoded so bad you can only photograph the logo, almost without having to understand audio.
This means that this ticket requires an input digital signal very strong and clean, is also often necessary to act on the trimmer that controls the width of the input signal (the receiver's volume to 0 and then go left or acts mechanically on the trimmer, or on the level of the audio mixer of Windows) to avoid distortion or loss of "packets".
In the coming days I will try again to receive the DRM, trying to clean up the audio from the digital noise in the background.
Still on the subject of the photos, please do not post them because I took the exclusive list FMDX, so that if someone would Fabrizio decided to publish the exclusive (I know, is a detail, but somehow we have to reward F. work for us!).

In case any of you interested in more information or to buy the converter card (which costs a few €), you may contact e.mail address Fabrizio staff.

To reduce noise

Crispino Messina, designer of the card, sent some notes to reduce noise. In fact the main problem is the shielding of the receiver (because it's cheap) and the ferrite antenna connection near by.
To pick up less noise, the connection to the converter must be as short as possible, made with two loose wires or even a small piece of coaxial cable, which is central to the hot side withdrawal from the radio and goes to the sock mass nearby, inside the radio, where the signal is taken to indicate I do not know what these points because I never added the converter to a radio or another Degen. so I just theoretical information considering that there are these problems, the drive will put the opposite side to where there is the antenna input on your receiver or even away from the antenna in radio's internal ferrite, because even if it does not work , it may pick up some 'unwanted radio frequency the radio will be operated initially with internal batteries. The converter will, at least initially, be operated with a 9 volt battery, which will be connected to appropriate pins on the card drive on the computer too, if laptop will run on its batteries if there is a switching power supply, will be the case to unplug from the network, in addition to not let him feed the computer a general rule: the links longer than is strictly necessary should be made with shielded cable, although they may pick the same disorder neon lamps, switching power supplies and other gadgets that pollute at the level of radio frequency output of the converter must be made with coaxial cable to the microphone input or line-in computer microphone input is mono and will generally use a mono input jack is stereo line-in and connections with the cable will be made: the mass of the shield of the cable jack stereo, central wire of the cable to both the tabs on the left and right channels of the same stereo jack on the trimmer drive is put in a central position or at least set in place medium-high (clockwise) then you must act on the commands of the Windows mixer to get an adequate signal level for the Dream program can be developed if the adjustments made are not sufficient you can try to change the input on your sound card (which take into account the mic input is more sensitive than the line-in and therefore requires less signal) in extreme cases you can also try to adjust the trimmer on its lowest values ​​(setting counterclockwise), but it is counterproductive: the ' input impedance change much, it becomes low and the circuits of the radio can be loaded too. So the radio does not go out enough signal to the drive and even other circuits of the radio no longer work correctly

Created: 30/12/2006 - 17:08
Last updated: 06/05/2007 - 11:25
Category: DRM