There's also a tremendous potential for shortwave to enter the
"entertainment mainstream" with the introduction of "digital
shortwave" using the DRM system.

I have the facility to listen to the "pioneering" transmissions of DRM
from BBC, Radio Canada, Vatican Radio, Radio Nederland, Radio Sweden,
China Radio International and Deutsche Welle every afternoon and
early evening from 2055 UTC till 0300 UTC.

I also, (on good nights), receive the DRM transmissions from Radio
Luxembourg here in Detroit, proving that DRM is feasible over
trans-Atlantic conditions. It's amazing that after a more than 10
year abscence from shortwave, Radio Luxembourg is back on the bands.

The fidelity, while not "audiophile" quality, is absolutely amazing,
approaching the sound quality of a decent FM mono table radio. No
static, no hetrodynes, no selective fading etc. Non-SWL'ers who I've
had over actually enjoy listening to it!

Since DRM uses the non-proprietary MPEG-4 digital audio compression
system, it is conceivable that inexpensive chipsets for decoding it
will be developed over the next couple of years and put into Sangean,
Sony, and Grundig receivers.

I don't mean to be a "shill" for DRM, but I am truly blown away by it
and its potential for making shortwave broadcasting viable again.

Fred E.

N8UC -- Detroit, MI