During the week of the 3rd to the 8th April, the first HD Radio™ transmissions were broadcast from a small transmitter on the roof of the Radio Sunshine studio. Much intensive preparation and test work in the laboratory was necessary prior to this. “The first subjective impressions provided by the behavior of the system in the field are very impressive and were in part surprisingly positive” said Markus Ruoss of Ruoss AG concerning the evaluation of the test results.

The next phase will involve further laboratory tests and small broadcast trials, as well as preparations for installation at the Radio Sunshine main transmitter in Rooterberg. The start of the first test broadcasts on 88.00MHz will most probably take place during the month of May, earlier than planned. The test phase is planned to last for two years and should test the suitability of the HD Radio™ process for Switzerland.

Box: This is HD Radio™
HD Radio™ (High Definition Radio) is a digital radio process that is distinguished by its broad compatibility with conventional analog UHF technology. A signal is added to the conventional UHF program on the existing frequency that contains the same program in digital format.

HD Radio™ enables a greater capacity which may be used either for the broadcasting of a greater number of programs or for a greater amount of additional data.
In contrast to other digital radio systems, HD Radio™ can broadly be operated using existing broadcasting infrastructure. This gives local and regional radio stations in particular an option to go digital under favorable terms.

The HD Radio™ tests will be carried out by Ruoss AG and Radio Sunshine, supported by a multitude of companies and organizations. At this time, the main sponsors are BE (Broadcast Equipment), Ibiquity (HD Radio™ system developers), Omnia / Orban (sound processing), Radio Energy Zürich (producers of alternative programs). A complete list of companies currently giving their support can be found at:

http://www.hdradio.ch/000000970612c2804/index.html

For publication in your media we give you our thanks.

For further information: Ruoss AG, Markus Ruoss, 041 798 88 00 or
sekretariat@ruossag.ch . Information on www.HD-Radio.ch