Digital shortwave radio broadcasts from four international broadcast sites highlighted a recent conference of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB) hosted by the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind.

"We were able to receive all four signals, including the HCJB signal at only 4 kilowatts. It was good audio quality," said Brent Weeks, a design engineer with Radio Station HCJB in Quito, Ecuador.

Conference attendees also heard test broadcasts from Radio France International/TDF in French Guiana, Vatican Radio in Italy and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The stations are part of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a global consortium of broadcasters, broadcasting associations, network operators, manufacturers, research institutions, regulatory bodies and others.

"We were getting a good reception of our digital shortwave where normally, with an analog broadcast, it would be marginal at best," Weeks said of the broadcasts received at the annual meeting of the NASB May 10-11. "It shows the potential of the digital shortwave medium for long distances and low-power broadcasts. You can go farther with a clearer signal."

Glenn Nelson, a radio frequency technician from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, added: "I was impressed with the DRM demonstrations. DRM may have a large impact on the shortwave market when [digital] receivers become [more readily] available."

The DRM USA Group met immediately prior to the NASB which has historically held conferences in Washington, D.C. "Much to our surprise and pleasure, it was the most-attended annual meeting we have ever had!" said NASB President Jeff White. Fifty-eight attendees took part, coming from the U.S., Canada, Belgium, U.K., France, Germany, Ecuador, Singapore and Russia.

Shortwave broadcasting hasn't changed much since its beginnings during the early 20th century. Analog shortwave broadcasts usually carry noise of some kind due to interference and fading. However, the development of the DRM technology has the potential to revitalize not only shortwave, but AM transmissions also, by providing digital-quality broadcasts.

Most agree that the success of DRM technology hinges on the availability of low-cost receivers. In April, Fraunhofer, a Germany-based company, announced it will begin working with STMicroelectronics to develop a low-cost, low-power receiver chipset which is critical in manufacturing inexpensive receivers for widespread distribution. Fraunhofer has been one of the principal developers of DRM technology.

Attendees also enthusiastically discussed the possibility of a roll-out of receiver by the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China-a target date for multiple DRM broadcasts, as China is promoting DRM as its digital radio format.

All were eager for the digital upgrade to the HC100 (HCJB Global's 100-kilowatt shortwave transmitter) which has the potential to reach China with digital programming.

Charles Jacobson, manager of international broadcast technology group at the HCJB Global Technology Center, was excited to be able to "draw special attention to this [DRM] technology by hosting the meetings at our tech center, the only U.S. entity to have developed DRM transmission equipment. It was also a great opportunity to expose a broader segment of radio people to the activities and ministries of HCJB Global."

The meetings also featured a presentation and tour of the technology center, impressing attendees with the scope of the ministry. "It's evident the Lord's hand is upon your ministry," observed Allan McGuirl, senior international director of Galcom International. "We praise God the way He is using you around the world. We pray that the Lord will continue to build your ministry up to reach many more unreached people groups through Christian radio."