DRM Measures up for RRI in Indonesia

Radio Republik Indonesia recently carried out measurement tests of DRM in FM. According to Digital Radio Mondiale, the results show the digital radio platform provides “energy- and spectrum-efficient audio.” The organization also says the trials “demonstrate quality text, even in crowded FM environments without interference and maintaining the analog coverage area.”

On June 10, RRI installed a digital radio transmitter at the Pelubharan Ratu site in Sukabumi province, West Java. According to DRM, this step marked the first-ever digital radio broadcasting station in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia.

Currently, the Pelubharan Ratu digital radio station airs three DRM digital programs. These are RRI Pro 1, RRI Pro 3 and a Journaline-based news and current affairs show in textual form (writing) in Bhasa Indonesia.

Effiency

The broadcaster installed the second digital radio transmitter June 11 at Pantai Labuan in Banten Regency, West Java. It then installed the third DRM FM digital radio transmitter in July in Cilacap, Java Tengah province.

In addition, in August RRI installed two more DRM FM transmitters in Painan, West Sumatra and in Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tengarah Timor province in eastern Indonesia.

On July 23 and 24, RRI evualuated the trials and measurements of the DRM technology in the Pelabuhan Ratu area, Sukabumi, West Java. This is an area often struck by natural disasters. The tests analyzed both the DRM transmissions as well as the added features available through DRM.

Field measurement results demonstrate that with 50 W of DRM power it’s possible to achieve quality DRM audio. For the trials a 1-kW transmitter covered the six test points. In addition, while testing a simulcast broadcast using 1 kW and 800 W with spacing distance, 150 kHz between the middle frequency of FM and DRM, measurements showed no interference between FM and DRM.

DRM points out that RRI findings show the sound quality of DRM to be better than FM. It adds: “Field test results are consistent with ITU-R Recommendations BS. 1114 and BS. 1660,” said DRM.”

Watch the video here.