Brazil
HD Radio technology testing in Brazil includes VHF-FM broadcasts and MW-AM operations. Currently there are 25 radio stations on-air in Brazil. Brazilian broadcasters have also formed the Brazilian Alliance for Digital Radio to promote and support the deployment of HD Radio technology. The announcement is the latest development in the country's increasingly rapid adoption of the HD Radio system. The stations currently broadcasting HD Radio technology have a population coverage area of 30 million people.The Brazilian Alliance for Digital Radio is composed of major broadcast groups: the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (ABERT), the Association of Broadcasters of Sao Paulo (AESP) and remaining Brazilian groups including: Sistema Globo de Rádio; Sistema Clube de Rádio; Rede Record; Rede Itatiaia; Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação; Rede RBS; Rede Energia; Grupo O Estado de São Paulo e Rede CBS. Substantial HD Radio technology field test data obtained from these major radio networks was presented at the Brazilian society of Engineering of Television and Telecommunications (SET) convention last September. In addition, numerous HD Radio operation reports have been presented to Brazilian regulatory authorities.
“With such a strong base of broadcasters in place and many more stations planning to upgrade to HD Radio technology in the coming months, we felt the time was right to establish an alliance for broadcasters to share their experiences and to work collectively promoting the technology. The Alliance already has close to 2,500 affiliated radio stations that will support its efforts,” said Acácio Costa, Coordinator of the Brazilian Alliance for Digital Radio. “Our Alliance is also working closely with receiver manufacturers to support their product development and entry into the market."
KISS FM in São Paulo was one of the first radio stations outside the US to begin HD Radio broadcasting when it went on the air Sept. 24, 2005. Operations in the FM and AM bands have focused on simultaneous transmission of identical programming in existing analog and new digital formats, known as the hybrid mode of operation. Thorough VHF-FM testing is being conducted using station CBN located in São Paulo, Brazil and operated by Sistema Globo de Radio. CBN operates at 90.5 MHz. The station installed a Harris Corporation Model HT-35CD transmitter and a digital exciter for operation in a five-bay omni-directional antenna. The station operates at 87.5kW ERP and digital operations are maintained at 20dB below the analog power. Digital transmissions commenced in October 2005 and have been ongoing since that time.
MW-AM Broadcasts are being conducted using Sistema Globo de Radio’s station Radio Globo Minas in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Radio Globo Minas operates at 1150 kHz. Digital operations were initiated using a Harris Corporation Model 3DX50 transmitter for use with the station’s existing two tower directional array. The station operates at 50kW (day) and 5kW (night) and digital operations are maintained at 20dB below the analog power.
Digital broadcasts commenced in November 2005 and have been ongoing since then. For the VHF-FM and MW-AM operations, the stations serve a large metropolitan area characterized by urban and suburban listening environments. The tests have demonstrated reliable coverage for VHF-FM and MW-AM operations with no interference incidents.
