Creating A Streaming Radio Station

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are multiple ways you can create your own radio station that you can stream off the Internet. Take advantage of websites that allow you to create your own radio station and stream it off their server. You do have the option to be completely independent and have control of your station by setting up your own server all together.

Many people who start their own online radio station often found that using two computers is the best option because you can use one for audio production and stream using the other. Using a computer for production is only needed if you’re planning on running your radio station 24 hours a day. If you’re thinking about just doing a daily show that’s three to four hours than you’ll only need one computer.

The computer you use for production won’t need an Internet connection. All that’s really needed is audio software for recording production. Something like Garage Band is the most popular option, but it does cost quite a bit of money.

Create your library of music for your radio station. Once you’ve got the format for your station going, make a list of audio that’s going be the theme for your station. Create commercials, announcements, promos and anything else you’re going to use to promote your station.

Create your playlist on iTunes. This will be the cheapest and easiest way to mange your music and keep it organized. Being unorganized will make this a little harder for you and can create some problems. There’s MegaSeg DJ software that many DJs and radio stations will use for their music.  You’ll have the option to set up a list of music and they will play each one after the other. This way if you’re not around or busy, you’ll be able to avoid any dead air.

Stream your music to he Internet. Make sure you have everything needed to stream your music. You don’t want any problems the day you launch your radio station.

Promote. Promote. Promote. Use social networking websites to promote the launch date of your radio station.

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How To Start An Online Radio Station

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You hear more and more about internet radio.  It is a growing industry that many want to get their hands into.  There are different ways to start your own online radio station, but for the purpose of space, we will stick with the easiest.  You have some websites that pay the royalties for you and then some that just allow you to play music that you own the rights to.  What you decide to choose comes down to your preference.  Right now we are going to look at two websites that offer online radio stations to anyone.

Live365.com is a website that basically works as a transmitter for you.  Their packages start at 5.95 a month and go up to 100 dollars a month.  Live365 also offers a Pro package that you can customize.  The Pro package allows you to broadcast live or pre-recorded material.  You control the advertising.  The price per month for this is dependent on your customization and therefore you should contact Live365 for exact pricing on the Pro package.  In order for you to play popular music that we all hear on the radio, you have to pay royalties to the singers and record companies.  All royalties are included in your price.  You can not only play music but you can put your own voice out there as a broadcaster.  You can also earn revenue with this website.

Ubroadcast.com allows anyone to broadcast television and radio to any audience all over the internet.  Your broadcasts can be embedded to be shared on Facebook, MySpace, or virtually any web site.  For just a basic broadcast all you need is a microphone, camera and the internet.  It can be as simple or as complex as you want it, but give that free trial a shot first.  The cost for this ranges, but ubroadcast.com does have a free account.  This website pays no royalties; it will only broadcast music you own the rights to.

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How To Get A Ham Radio License

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Ham radio, which is actually called amateur radio, is done as a hobby.  You will not receive wages for being a ham operator.  There are no commercials on this radio and anyone of any age can become a ham radio operator.  Any person interested in becoming a ham operator has to be able to pass an exam.  You cannot operate these radios in America without a license.  You need to show some knowledge of electronics, basic rules and regulations as well as operating procedures.  There are thousands of ham operators all over the world.   And you can use your ham radio to connect with individuals from anywhere in the world.

The Federal Communications Commission oversees the licenses for ham radios in the United States.  There are local clubs that may give classes on how to operate ham radios and what questions may be on the exam.  You will need knowledge of the ham radio in order to pass this exam.  If you cannot find a local club, there is a lot of information on the web, or you can visit your library for study materials.  It may be a good idea to find an experienced operator to teach you and show you what tricks he knows.

A ham license is good for 10 years and there is no cost for the license but you may pay a small fee for the exam.  The cost of the exam really depends on the examiner and your state.  There are three types of licenses and each one comes with more privileges than the other.  These licenses are Technician, General and Extra.

Ham radios are able to help during emergencies when telephone lines are down and no other communication is possible.  You can also use your ham radio to talk to astronauts in space.  You also gain knowledge on how to build radios and antennas.

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How To Choose A Car Radio

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You need to first consider budget when you are looking for a new car radio.  That is ultimately what is going to be the deciding factor in which radio you buy.  The next thing you want to look for is features.  What features do you want most in your car radio?  You know you that you want the FM/AM bands that’s a given.  For those of you out there who really want that cassette player, there are a few radios that still have that option.  There are units that have the single CD players, but if you have a lot of CD’s, then maybe you should go with a CD changer.  There are radios that offer the changer there in the console but some you may have to place under your seat.  If you listen to a media player maybe you would prefer a radio that has a docking station for your IPod or a jack for other media players.

You want your radio to be user friendly.  You want something that is easy to handle while you are driving.  Make sure you play with the units you look at before purchasing the radio.  You want to be able to see the screen well when you are driving.  Look at it from all angles.  Are the numbers easy to read?  Make sure the buttons are big enough for you to see what you are pushing.

Do you prefer to have a radio that you take the face off to prevent theft?  Some models have fully detachable faces.  This allows you to pull the facing off of your radio and take it inside so no one will be tempted to take it.  Others have a semi detachable face or a face that you can flip over to hide the radio.  You paid good money for your unit; you don’t want some knuckle-head busting out your window for your radio.

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How To Buy A CB Radio

January 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are different reasons why people want a CB radio.  It may be that you are a trucker and you want to communicate while on the road with other truckers in the area.  Maybe you and your friends like to off road on the weekends and like to keep up with each other.  There is always the average Joe who just likes to talk to others on his CB radio after work.  These kinds of people already know what kind of radio they need, this is for someone who wants to start using a CB radio and may not know what to look for.

A CB radio does not require a license by the FCC.  The FCC regulates that all CB’s transmits no more than four watts.  Any power additives that push it over the four watts are considered illegal by the FCC.

Let’s look at what features can come on the radio.  Depending on what you are planning to use the radio for will determine what size you need.  Some units come with what’s called mic gain.  This feature adjusts the volume of amplification in the mic itself.  You can get a unit that has a PA feature on it and this allows you to transmit on external speakers outside your vehicle.

You also have a squelch option.  This cuts down on the static noise when no one is transmitting.  You can adjust manually or some have an auto adjust feature.  Some radios have a talk back feature that allows you to hear your transmission through your radio.  This way if you need to make any adjustments you can do this.  If you plan to go off road you should look into the radios with the weather band options.  This gives you the weather for that area.

There are many brands of CB radios.  Cobra, Uniden, and Midland are top manufacturers.  Brands are like cars and it comes down to personal preference.

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Broadcasting for Life

January 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Getting yourself and your thoughts out there is not limited to updating your FaceBook status twice a day and writing a blog post or two. In the digital age, virtually anything is possible. And, things are not only possible, but easier than ever to set up and take part in on a daily basis.

Take the traditional form of broadcasting, for example. Traditionally tied to radio, television, or cable, broadcasting has come to encompass one more aspect in recent decades: the webcast. Now, anyone with a few ideas and some hard disk space to record on can create programs revolving around the two aspects that have always driven broadcasting: enlightenment and entertainment.

With a bit of determination and effort befitting a new business venture, anyone can pursue this new style of broadcast career. People like to have independent opinions in the digital age, and nowhere is this more evident than in the rash of new podcasts that have popped up on topics ranging from sex advice to stock picking. All that is really required, besides an internet connection, a computer, a microphone, and a few original ideas, is persistence to follow through on your ideas to such an extent that you build a large body of work.

From there, the income related step is straightforward. Simply reach out to any business that presently offers services related to the ideas which guide your broadcasts. Advertisers love to engage in focused, targeted selling tactics, and the new broadcast methods play right to their strengths. Just as pursuing online degrees is a new route for people the globe over, it makes sense to follow all of your dreams. So fire up a computer, roll up your sleeves, and get studying for your degree, while at the same time creating an unrivaled body of independent broadcasting work. Even if your broadcasting business doesn’t take off, employers in the field will be very interested!

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What Is HD Radio?

January 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What is HD radio?  You would be surprised to know that a lot of people do not what it is or that it is available.  Most consumers often confuse HD radio with satellite radio.  Would you be surprised to know that more than 80 percent of America’s radio stations broadcast in HD?  HD radio is the only digital system that is approved by the FCC for FM/AM radio.  A radio station uses HD to broadcast both digital and analog audio on the same channel, in addition, new FM channel and text information.  It requires no subscription, it is free, but you must buy the receiver to receive the digital signal.

It is, however, important to remember that HD radio does not have any connection to HDTV.  HD radio provides enhanced features over the analog format.  The FCC will not force analog radio broadcasts off the air.  HD receivers are not mandatory to listen to FM/AM radio.  The analog signal backs up the digital signal.  In other words, if the digital signal fails, the analog will pick up.  Consumers have noted that there is sometimes poor sound quality because of this.  Playing an HD unit with a regular FM/AM device together will result in the “echo” effect.

If you go to your local electronic store looking for an HD receiver, do not expect to find one in stock.  Most stores will not carry the receivers because consumers favor internet radio options over the HD radio.  You can order a receiver online.  The cost ranges between 50 dollars up to a couple hundred dollars.  There are several major automakers that have made HD radio a factory installed option in their vehicles.  There are, currently, only a few handheld devices that allow HD radio.  Microsoft has the Zune HD and Apple has the IPod Nano.

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Internet Radio Versus Satellite Radio

January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Internet radio is music that is either in the form of FM/AM radio streaming straight from the radio station websites, internet only stations, or custom stations.  The great thing about internet music is that it is free.  If you want a particular type of music, Pandora and last.fm, offer you the option to type in artist, song or genre and it finds music that might suit your tastes.  Portability is an issue for internet radio.  However, cell phones are becoming mini computers and there are devices out now that allow you to listen to internet radio without actually being online.  There is even some talk about installing internet radio in your car like a mapping system that updates itself that is already installed in newer vehicles.

Satellite radio is a paid subscription radio.  It is installed in newer vehicles with 6 months to a year subscription free.  While satellite radio is offering streaming music on their websites, you do have to pay a monthly fee for that use.  Satellite radio is stepping out of the vehicles and inside your home.  They have several portable devices that allow you to have satellite inside your home.  Keep in mind that you do have to pay for the subscription as well as the receivers.

Satellite radio financially has the upper hand over internet radio, obviously because of the paid subscriptions.  Internet radio has instant access to millions of songs with little to no commercials.  Portability is about the same for the two, although, both are making real progress in that area.  They both provide different types of stations from, talk, to music, to weather and news.  With the official merger of XM and Sirius in 2008 it definitely makes satellite radio formidable and financially sound.  But let’s face it free is free and most people will choose that over a paid subscription any day.  That could be why FM/AM is still ranked number one.

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How To Get A Radio Job

January 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For those who are looking for a job in radio, you are probably finding that the task is more difficult than you originally thought.  Radio is not like it used to be traditionally.  Now thrown into the mix is satellite radio and internet radio.  Everyone knows that the most fun comes from being on-air.  However, there are other jobs at the radio station that you get do and work your way up to an on-air personality.  Jobs such as salespeople, who sell commercial spots on FM/AM stations, Production Directors and Managers to name a few.

If you truly want a job in radio, do not limit yourself to just FM/AM stations.  There are internet stations and satellite radio, which are easier to get into than traditional radio.  You can even start up your own internet station for just a little bit of money.  It is great experience and looks good on a resume.  That is what is truly going to get you into radio, experience.  It does not matter if it is paid or not paid; the experience is what will be worth your time.

Get to know your local radio station.  Show up at promotions and appearances and get to know your local personalities.  Do not be weird about it though, that would be a good way not to get a job and land you in jail.  Volunteer your time, free help is appreciated everywhere.  Intern at a radio station, keep in mind that it is the experience you want.  Everyone has to start somewhere and you may have to take a different job within the station to acquire one in broadcasting.  Keep in mind that there is more to broadcasting than just the couple of hours a day on the radio that your hear.  If you truly desire a job in radio putting the time in and getting experience will be worth it in the long run.

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Pros And Cons Of Digital Audio Broadcasting

January 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Digital Audio Broadcasting, known as DAB, is currently being used in several countries, mainly Europe.  Like everything else that is becoming digital, DAB is met with its lovers and haters.  While FM/AM radio is still the frequency of choice in the United States.  DAB is more used for microwave applications in America than for radio broadcasting.  However, there may come a time in the near future when DAB will find its way into American homes.  Let’s look at the pros and cons and you can make your choice, are you a lover or a hater?

With FM/AM radio you need to “tune” into your radio station.  In a rural area that could mean only three to four radio stations.  DAB automatically grabs radio stations in that area giving rural radio listeners more channels to choose from.

Much like digital television, when DAB signal is lost, it’s gone.  More than half the pixels are missing in the picture and there is no sound, right?  FM/AM analogue signal slowly corrupts and gradually loses the signal, like an analogue television.  It gets a little fuzzy but you can still hear it and make out the picture, and you eventually lose the signal.  Keeping that in mind, DAB sound quality is comparable to FM/AM analogue frequency.

FM/AM is very well established, the receivers can be made at a lower cost.  DAB is not very well established and its receiver can be costly.  However, DAB is more cost effective in terms of maintenance.

DAB is also able to send a radio text that announces the radio station and song playing along with a pause feature that allows you to halt live radio.  Some FM radios are able to do this as well but most stations are not able to broadcast this option.  That’s why you can see certain radio stations call letters on your radio.  And unless you have satellite radio you will not see the song name.

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