All satellite radio services have three things in common: the actual satellites, the ground repeaters, and the radio receivers. These components are used to broadcast the radio signal a customer hears after subscribing to a service. But each of these service providers (Sirius, XM and WorldSpace) utilizes a unique broadcasting system to deliver sound (radio signals) to the subscriber. For example, Sirius utilizes satellites that orbit the Earth in an oblong pattern. While this may seem irrelevant to the average listener, it’s significant because Sirius’ model makes it possible for satellites to reach higher in the sky and, thus, lose their signal less often than other providers do. XM, on the other hand, operates geostationary satellites that orbit the Earth in a synchronized pattern consistent with the planet’s customary movements. Radio reception is attained and, to make it clearer, XM then uses a network of antennas that re-transmit the signal to avoid interruptions that have been known to occur near tall buildings, bridges or hills.

Satellite Radio

Radio broadcasting has grown by leaps and bounds in the 15 years that have passed since the United States Federal Communications Commission made the S band (the 2.3 GH frequency) available for Digital Audio Radio Service. With an ability to broadcast with static free, high quality sound over a distance surpassing 20,000 miles, satellite radio is one of the most significant developments in the world of broadcasting since the launch of FM itself. Sirius, XM and WorldSpace, satellite radio companies, have capitalized on this technology and have brought it to the masses on a worldwide scale. But how it does satellite radio really work?

So know that we know how the radio signal itself is transmitted, when does the music get added to the mix? At the digital broadcast centres, where radio programmers are responsible for picking what song will be played when. These centres maintain music in both digital format and a CD format and often also have studio space where performers can be recorded and their sound transmitted, live. The extremely high quality sound that subscribers hear is made possible by a process called digital compression, a procedure in which algorithms (a set of rules developed to break down a problem, or process, into smaller, simpler steps) are used to squeeze as much sound as possible into the bandwidth available. Satellite radios are the only types of radios sophisticated enough to decode these signals, which is why a subscription is required and why you won’t be able to access the same content through your everyday AM/FM dial. The exclusivity, quality of sound, popularity and commercial free features of satellite radio have all been key factors in making it possible for companies to offer satellite service at a reasonable price.

Satellite Radio

Adam Currry is one of a rapidly increasing group known as “podcasters”, whose shows are created to be heard on iPods or other MP3 players. Formerly an MTV video-jock, he is the man who created the “iPodder” program. Downloadable from www.iPodder.org, this easy to use software allows you to decide to which audio feed you wish to subscribe. This is then automatically added to your iPod or MP3 player to listen to when you decide.

If you are fed up with listening to your local FM station and the mass of inane adverts that punctuate each show, or, if you crave interesting spoken word programmes that are written and presented by excited, knowledgeable enthusiasts, then Adam Curry’s “Daily Source Code” podcast may just be just what you are looking for.

Podcast

The great thing about Podcasting is that it allows listeners to download their favorite shows automatically. There are now tons of “advertisement-free” radio channels for listeners to subscribe to, with more emerging every day.
Once set-up with a program like iPodder your favorite program downloads automatically whilst you sleep, so that you can listen to it on the journey into work the next day, or whenever it suits you. You are not tied to any schedule. It is true “radio-on-demand”.
When you visit ipodder.org you will see details of the latest podcasts and you will be able to easily subscribe to shows such as “Coverville”, a music show consisting purely of really interesting cover versions as well as the truly original, if not a little whacky, “Whole Wheat Radio” from Talkeetna, Alaska.
There are, of course, lots of shows created and presented by true Podcast enthusiasts and knowledgable techies, such as “The Engadget Podcast” and “IT Conversations”. However, by mixing all of these topic areas you can end up with a true, custom-made radio experience that meets all of your listening requirements.
Podcasting is still in it’s  infancy and over the next 12 months you will see more and more growth in this unique field. Podcasting is a real example of a technology that simply could not have existed even 2 years ago and with just a little effort on your part over the coming months you could play a significant part in the development of this exciting and creative medium.

Podcast

3 of the best base stations for all radio accessories.

For a model that will accept most accessories take a look at the Kenwood TS-480HX 200W output (50MHz: 100W) DC 13.8V operation: The TS 480HX is a highly portable rig offering 200W output (50MHz: 100W) — making it ideal for both base station and DX’ing applications. As a go-anywhere HF/50Mz all-mode transceiver, Kenwood’s new TS-480HX/TS-480SAT is well ahead of the pack when it comes to advanced electronic engineering, convenient features and ease of operation. Use it with the MyDel hands free model as shown below.

MyDEL MLS-SM-Kenwood (Hands Free Mic)

Kenwood Corporation has announced the October launch of the TS-590S, a new HF/50MHz all mode transceiver with remarkable RX performance designed to enable a wide range of users — from beginners to seasoned DX’ers — to enjoy a full range of ham radio pursuits.

• 100W RF Power Output
• Dual roofing filters – 500Hz & 2.7kHz
• Down-conversion architecture (1.8/3.5/7/14/21MHz bands in SSB/CW/FSK mode)
• 32-Bit Floating-point IF DSP
• RX & TX DSP Equalisers
• 110 Memories, with Name Function
• PC-Based Control
• Built-in Antenna Tuner
• CW Keyer with Iambic Modes A/B
• USB & Serial Com ports
• Low-level Drive output including 135 kHz band
• Direct-access Band keys
• Sky Command II

Radio Accessories

The Kenwood TS-2000 series transceiver offers today’s demanding Amateur operator high performance standards without the compromising limitations found in other similar multi-band, multi-mode transceivers. The TS-2000 offers users three distinct operation platforms, the traditional transceivers with full function front panel, or the high-tech looking “silver box” version that allows mobile operation with the new RC-2000 compact control head accessories or the ARCP-2000 computer control program making the TS-B2000 functional from your personal computer.

These are 3 of the best in my view, good value, top end bits of kit that will last the design changes of the future!

Keep talking out there!    Ray.

Radio Accessories

Useful radio products for project building

You can “get by” in PC-board kit assembly with a few basic radio products, like a soldering iron, solder, and a small pair of diagonal cutters (OR “wire nippers”), but you’ll find yourself wishing for needle-nose pliers with every other move you make! Also important is a sponge, or steel wool or damp rag for keeping the tip of the soldering iron clean and shiny.

There are a variety of convenience radio products and accessories for electronics building such as soldering aids, mini-vices, tweezers, or magnifiers.

Radio Products

Choosing a soldering iron is like choosing a tennis racquet or fishing rod. You want the level of heat and the style of tip that helps you to accomplish the one goal of soldering, a perfect connection!

Screwdrivers, pliers, nut-drivers, wire-strippers and other common tools become needed only at the stage of working with enclosures or making connections to Mini-Kit PC-boards. If your radio products require adjustment of a coil, a non-metallic alignment tool will be needed.

Identifying your radio products

RESISTORS:

The universal color coding of resistors does not change, fortunately, but resistor body colors and the style of wire leads can vary. Install any resistor as shown on the PC board parts layout diagram.

CERAMIC DISC CAPACITORS:

It is helpful practice to become familiar with the various marking codes for ceramic capacitors and all radio products.

While capacitors also can be color-coded, some Kits use disc capacitors marked by a number-letter code. The first two digits establish the first two numbers of the value. The third digit is the multiplier.

Values under 100 Pico farads, used widely in FM and VHF kits, and are printed clearly with no need to interpret them further. Small capacitors stamped 4.7, 10, 15, 33, 68 and so forth are 4.7, 10, 15, 33, 68 Pico farads respectively! A 100 Pico farad capacitor, also commonly used in kits, can be marked either 100 or 101!  If it’s marked 100, believe it. If it is marked 101, the value is 10 (first 2 digits) X 10 (3rd digit multiplier) = 100 Pico farads! If it is marked 101J, we know that it is made to 5% accuracy, while H signifies 3% and K is 10%.

Rule of thumb: If the 3rd digit is a 0, you may assume the value is in Pico farads, and you can take the three numbers together as the Pico farad value for that capacitor. So, just as in the above example, both “470″ and “471″ are 470 pf. There is a growing trend to mark capacitors very clearly in Nan farads. Be sure not to confuse 10nf or 100nf with 10 or 100 Pico farads.

Radio Products

ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS:

Virtually every kit uses one or more electrolytic capacitors. These are polarized capacitors, which mean that they have positive (+) and negative (-) leads and MUST be installed correctly on the PC board. The positive (+) side is generally etched on the PC-board itself. Ordinarily, only the negative side is marked on the capacitor.

INDUCTORS:

Coils or inductors can come to you in ANY of these styles: Unshielded, slug-tuned Shielded, slug-tuned Enamelled wire and easy do-it-yourself winding directions Color-coded coil similar in appearance to a resistor

DIODES:

Be sure to understand the difference between the cathode (banded) end and the anode before installing. If the kit uses several different diodes, it is necessary to identify each of them correctly. There ARE printed markings on even tiny diodes. You’ll need a magnifying glass even if you claim perfect 20-20 eyes!

An LED (light-emitting diode) is indeed a diode, not a lamp. A numeric display such as used in frequency counters or tone decoders is a series of LED’s.

TRANSISTORS:

The most common single transistor for most kits is the versatile NPN 2N3904.

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (“IC’s”):

Many kits employ at least one IC. Be very careful in setting IC’s into sockets.

Radio products

Spare Parts – Official Trailer [HD]

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(Pt1) Hitch-22, a candid memoir by Christopher Hitchens (ABC Radio National interview)

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Ham radio Band-scope pan-adapter using Tek MDO4000 as a spectrum analyzer

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