"First" DRM Radio

After a long wait, a major manufacturer has at last announced plans to release what it calls 'the first DRM Radio' in Europe in October 2006.

The Sangean DRM-40 will have DRM coverage on longwave, mediumwave and shortwave.

The radio will also have DAB coverage, which the manufacturer describes as “the digital alternative for the FM band.” This is probably a misleading description, since the DRM Consortium is working on extending the DRM specification to include the current FM band, whereas DAB uses frequencies which are in totally different bands.

According to Sangean the radio will have RDS, a USB connection and an SD-card slot, meaning that the radio can play and record MP3 files.

The DRM-40 uses the same case as the existing Sangean DPR-1 DAB receiver, which means the size will be 180×260x90 mm. Sangean says the weight will be 1700 gramm.

The recommended retail price in Europe, including VAT, will be 299 euros.

The Sangean website gives the following capsule summary of the features:

• RM / DAB Band III / FM / AM / LW / SW
• RDS, AMSS and Radio text or DLS
• MP3 Playback and recording on SD
• Wake-up System on Radio or Buzzer Alarm
• 12 Alarm Settings
• Timed recording
• Clock with Auto Update
• EPG, Pause Plus, SPDIF and Key Lock
• 6 Presets for each Waveband
• with SD slot and USB connection
• RF-antenna and BAR Antenna
• Audio Out and headphone Connection
• With AC-adapter / operates also on DC (Batteries not included)
  

In the UK, this radio will be sold as the Roberts MP40 although it is not clear if there are any differences in the specification.