Radio-transmitted books: Not just Amazon?

By David Rothman

Amazon plans to use wireless to transmit e-books to the Kindle. But that’s not the only possible book-radio connection. Bennett Kobb, whose 26MHz.us blog covers “the other DRM,” Digital Radio Mondiale, tells me: “The NewStar/Mirics radio platform includes E-book capability. The DRM system includes data broadcasting as well as audio and could certainly be used to deliver texts to portable devices.”

Just a little related: Present and ex-ham radio operators—I’m an ex—might check out a book from some years back about the legendary Hallicrafters receivers.

Further information from Bennett:

I know the author of that Hallicrafters book, Chuck Dachis. I bought my first amateur transmitter from him around 1978.

His house is amazing; it’s a Halli museum. He has a site with photos.

OK, to your question:

The link that specifically mentions E-book capability for the prototype Chinese receiver is:

http://www.cdnse.com/products_eng.html

That radio uses a polyband tuner from Mirics.com of the UK.

You might also look at http://www.journaline.info which concerns the information services that can be broadcast by DRM stations.

The point my website tries to make is that this Digital Radio Mondiale system is progressing in other countries and we should have it in the U.S. too.

There is not a lot of frequency space left in the conventional AM and FM bands for those who want to broadcast. The 26 MHz band can help answer this need, provided that digital technology is employed. And unlike texts via cellular phone, it is anticipated that 26 MHz broadcasts will be free just like AM and FM.

The operating model may be noncommercial, just like today’s public and community stations; and perhaps even commercial if the FCC wants such stations. In effect these could be audio/newspaper stations if the broadcaster wants to provide more than just listening content.

Specialized language audiences and novel services may be the first to use this band, but as receivers enter the market and the price declines, they could become more of a mass consumer item in the years ahead.

The next steps for 26 MHz DRM radio in the U.S. include licensed, limited-duration experimental stations, and a proceeding to solicit views on the subject so the FCC can determine whether to launch this service for real.

Thanks David for your interest.