MW DRM test transmission for its original purpose was begun in China.
According to the reports from some listeners in China, a mediumwave DRM test broadcast was conducted in Zhengzhou, Hunan Province on 1377 kHz from 1300-1339UT on June 11, 2025. Until now mediumwave “DRM test transmission” have been conducted on only 1557 kHz from the transmitting stations in certain regions such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Liaoning Provinces. All of these were aimed to jam Radio Taiwan International on 1557 kHz from Koufu transmitter site with 300kW. Then this may be the first mediumwave DRM experimental broadcasting in China for its original purpose.
Since 2023 National Administration of Radio and Television (NART) has recommended to promote the use of mediumwave DRM broadcasting and CDR (Chinese Digital Radio/ Chinese original standard for digital FM radio) FM digital broadcasting especially for car-radios. This test transmission is seemed to be in line with that policy and may open the door to the possibility of future use of DRM medium-wave broadcasting in China.
Original information is at https://cahcn.github.io/posts/2025-06-11-1377khz-drm.html
This transmission on 1377kHz seems to be from NRTA No.554 transmitter site at Xingyang, Zhengzhou. Typically it broadcasts CNR 1st program “Voice of China” with the power of 600 kW.
Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan to WOR iog (2025-06-16)