They are to work together to come up with the best system possible. Members of the DRM include national broadcasters, international broadcasters, broadcasting unions, network service providers, receiver and transmitter manufacturers, standards organizations, research organizations, and regulatory organizations. Inaugurated in March of 1998, the DRM consists presently of 26 members. DRM will attempt to meet a deadline of October 1999 to have a standard specified for digital broadcasting, and testing of that standard underway. This concerned satellite radio broadcasting direct to portable receivers, fixed dishes, or into vehicles.
Several systems are relatively close to implementation.
Time of implementation in other countries cannot be predicted as readily. Dr. Messer does not see DBS as a serious threat to shortwave broadcasting, provided that shortwave broadcasting can be improved over the years by converting to a digital mode of modulation. The present 11-year cycle of sunspots is the 23rd since daily telescopic observations of the sun began late during the 18th century. Sunspots are a measure of solar activity. Cycle 23 began during 1996, rose slowly during 1997, and increased considerably during 1998.