Hi, I'd like to buy a radio for someone living in Sydney to listen to overseas radio stations particularly UK. What do I look for and where to buy? Appreciate any help.
Radio to listen to overseas radio stations
aretsa9 on 23/02/2015 - 16:46
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For some reason, these devices don't seem very common any more.
I have one called a Revo Domino that picks up normal FM, DAB+ radio and also internet streamed radio. It is excellent for listening to Radio 4.
Here is one for sale:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Revo-Domino-D3-Black-DAB-Wifi-Int…I got some hits searching ebay for internet radio, or wifi radio but they seem uncommon.
Be aware the one I have has a "fiddly" interface. I would need to set it up for my Mum, for example, it isn't plug and play and requires you to know about wifi and how to read a manual. Just pointing this out if you were seeking one as a less technical option.
If I was looking for a cheap version, I would probably get a cheap android smartphone and plug it through some speakers.The Logitech Squeezebox is the best internet radio I have found; unfortunately they stopped making them, but you might pick one up second hand. The Grace Digital also works well: http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Digital-3-5-Inch-Display-GDI-IRC…
In a City, local EMR noise will often make reception difficult if not impossible.
If the friend has cheap Internet, we a few Internet radios from DSE that can reach across the Internet to bring streamed radio stations from almost any country you want to listen to.
DSE # C9886 is the model number. It's also DAB+ & FM, etc. Unused in orig. DSE box. $75.00 + [ packing + ] shipping. Large box for smaller radio -or- we can repack into a smaller box wrapped in bubble wrap.
Easier if you're in Adelaide (eg, for Fringe Festival)…
Of course, the Cheapest & Best (if friend has cheap Internet) is free app "TuneIn Radio" or its Pro version, if s/he'd like to Record from the air.
Yeah TuneIn radio is certainly the cheapest way. Load it on your phone/tablet, find the station & play. I've got an old android phone just for this.
You won't pick up UK radio on a traditional radio (except maybe the BBC World Service on shortwave or rebroadcast overnight on ABC NewsRadio).
CBC (even on its app "CBC Radio") can be slow to add the day's content (for As It Happens, etc.); other broadcasters let you listen to content before broadcast times.
Be sure to use cheap (eg, home ADSL) Internet data, esp for video podcasts.
Yet another option (w/ cheap Internet) is to auto download Podcasts of programs of interest.
May I recommend:
• CBC's The Debaters (comedian debaters use fact -or- funny to win a debate).
Like many podcasts, The Debaters can be fetched using iTunes.
Unlike many other podcasts, The Debaters must be purchased from iTunes. Good value.
More & diverse comedy can be found via "TuneIn Radio" eg, searcy for "comedy Denver" for a popular 24x7 comedy show (Labeled "103.1" I think)
By overseas radio stations do you mean a shortwave radio, or an internet compatible device to pick up streaming?
If it's shortwave I would say forget it if you're near a city or suburb. 25 years ago when I tuned into shortwave I could pick up all sorts of stations around the pacific, including BBC rebroadcast for the Asia Pacific.
A few years ago when I tried shortwave again there was little but blasts of radio interference across all bands with only a few select strong stations coming through. CFL lighting tends to employ really cheap electronics and litters the EM spectrum with noise, so that kills off the best time to pick up distance stations.
I have a great internet/DAB+ radio made by kogan, sadly they don't seem to make them any more. Try this instead: https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/pure-evoke-f4-portable-internet…
I also highly recommend the Revo as it is actually made in the UK.
if you have any apple device (Ipod/Ipad/Iphone) consider installing TuneIn Radio app (free version) and see if you have ur UK channels in.
Android phones might be supported too, check google store.
I prefer unmetered content from my own ISP which I'm already paying for.
I like somafm.com (US)
Lots of commercial-free contant. Check around.
And no, I'm not associated.
Cheers
Ok, so somafm.com mentions 28 different streams, some of which seem as though they are worth a listen.
But when I search on TuneIn radio, I just get the one option "Doomed - dark industrial music for tortured souls" which wasn't really the one I was looking for!
How do I get the rest?
The easiest and cheapest would be a streaming internet radio or even a laptop/pc/device with the appropriate app/software. With these they can find radio services of almost any type and from almost anywhere. Pure or Roberts have a couple of good choices here.
Otherwise if your thinking of the more traditional type of radio,(ie Shortwave Radio), then youre really best to get something that has the ability to have an external antenna connected as well as having a reasonable built in telescopic antenna. A Shortwave/HF radio is only as good as the antenna its connected to, especially when radio conditions are poor. You will need to look for a radio that covers frequency ranges of a minimum of 3MHz to 24Mhz. Most Shortwave Stations like BBC world Service, VOA, etc transmit in these wavelengths. They can also chop and change frequencies at different times of day depending on conditions and/or their target area/audience. Most Shortwave radios will cover from 500Khz to 30 Mhz.
Unless youre dedicated and know what youre doing Shortwave radio can be a bit of hit and miss and end up with disappointing results. Conditions are effected by the Sun Spot Cycle ( 11 Year Cycle), and its at about its peak now. Signals should be heard in Sydney CBD or anywhere so long as you dont have too much interference from local sources. Look for a radio with good selectivity, Sensitivity and noise rejection, you will be hard pressed to find these sort of specs from a normal retail radio. This website will give you a lot more info http://www.dxing.com/swrx.htm .
But seriously these days unless you want portability or youre in the bush with no internet access a streaming radio is the easiest solution.Thanks a million, everyone, so grateful for your input. My friend's a technophobe (and, to be honest, I'm not that tech savvy either) so, as far as I can tell shortwave (traditional) would be best. Cheers.
I have had a couple of Sangean radios not so long ago to listen to short wave stations, and liked them both.
Their ATS-909x has been getting great reviews (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9659)on eHam.net, and they are folks who know how to evaluate a short wave radio.
http://www.sangean.com.au/images/PDF/analogue_flyers/ATS-909… will take you to the brochure.
You may have to search for one, as I don't recall seeing any advertised.