Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) commissioned VT Merlin Communications to undertake a feasibility study into setting up digital broadcasts in the Hong Kong territory using the Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRMTM) system. RTHK has a number of analogue medium wave and FM radio services, but currently has no digital radio service. They were therefore keen to experience the benefits that the DRM system could bring to the region.
VT Merlin engineers conducted a pilot study during March 2004 utilising RTHK’s existing analogue transmitter on 783 kHz, which is broadcast 24/7 from its transmission facility at Golden Hill. During the test the analogue signal was suspended between 01:00 and 05:00 and the DRM signal was broadcast instead. A total of 47 RTHK sites located throughout the territory were included in the study, with measurements taken at each location. This clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the digital system. The pilot transmissions also showed the flexibility of DRM by broadcasting dual language programmes in English and Cantonese over the same channel. VT Merlin also proved the possibilities for data transmission by sending electronic images during the regular audio service.
Peter Gordon, VT Merlin’s Head of Digitalisation commented: ” The results of this study are very encouraging and show RTHK how the DRM platform could
be constructed using existing broadcast infrastructure. We look forward to
helping RTHK to develop digital services in the future.”
VT Merlin is a founder member of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcast related organisations working to bring digital AM radio to the market place.