MLite-880: Finally DRM — It’s not a Dream

I spent a very long time last year attempting to receive shortwave signals encoded with a scheme called DRM, or Digital Radio Mondiale. The process required an SDR and installing software called DREAM and some other stuff. Long story short: I never got it working.

I found on the public LiteMALADSP MLite-880 Facebook group that new beta firmware for the LITEMLADSP MLite-880 includes a DRM decoder. The firmware is a available in the group’s files.

After the firmware update, a new entry, DRM, appears among the modulation types. Google AI says:

Digital signals like DRM require careful gain management. If your signal is overloading, press the “5” button, then “2” to access the spectrum/gain menu, and manually back down the gain. Setting it too high can distort the signal and break the digital lock.

Because DRM is a “perfect or nothing” digital standard, the built-in telescopic antenna is often insufficient for clean decoding. For optimal results, connect a high-positioned external random wire antenna or a magnetic loop antenna.🤖

One way to find DRM broadcasts is to search EiBiSpace for “DIGITAL”. Most entries are from China, but a bit from the BBC, France (RTF and RFI), Voice of Romania, Trans World Radio, Radio New Zealand, Funklust (Germany), KCBS North Korea, and the enigmatic Music 4 Joy also from Germany.

Google AI suggested that the easiest catch in Virginia is probably Radio Romania, on 9570 kHz (1800 – 1900 UTC), 13690 kHz (1600 – 1700 UTC), or 17680 kHz (0530 – 0600 UTC). Copilot AI suggests a bandwidth setting of 10 kHz.

When I get some results, I’ll post an update and a video.

About Kevin

Just an old guy with opinions that I like to bounce off other people.
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