DRM on B08 Moscow Conference Agenda

International co-ordination of shortwave frequencies for the B08 period (winter 2008/09 on the Northern hemisphere) was the main objective of the Moscow HFCC/ASBU conference. However, DRM related subjects also appeared on the agenda of the Plenary Meeting - as well as during an impromptu Press Conference that was held after the conference opening speeches by Boris Boyarskov, Director of the Federal Service for Communications and Mass Media and HFCC Chairman Oldrich Cip.

The HFCC is an associate member of the DRM Consortium. A serious concern has been raised in the Plenary Meeting of the Moscow conference over the results of the current effort of the EBU, the European Association for Consumer Electronics and WorldDMB to harmonise the profiles and properties of receivers for the digital future. The HFCC received a provisional table of three drafted profiles for a harmonised digital radio. It was very disappointing to find that DRM and AM modes have been labelled as "Optional" in all three drafts of digital receiver profiles.

There is a Digital Radio Survey in progress in the EBU and the Plenary Meeting urged all HFCC and ASBU members to take part and support the introduction of the DRM by filling in a Survey Questionnaire