international radio
 

I like listening to foreign radio stations via the internet. But it is
not practical for me to listen via my computer. Does anyone know if
there is a way or a gizmo that will let me access my choice of foreign
radio stations on my stereo? I am a beginner at this.
Thanks
Amy

international radio
 

Amy wrote:
I like listening to foreign radio stations via the internet. But it is
not practical for me to listen via my computer. Does anyone know if
there is a way or a gizmo that will let me access my choice of foreign
radio stations on my stereo? I am a beginner at this.

One option, since it appears you're in Canada, is to record CBC Radio
One overnight. Between 1 and 5am they relay various foreign stations.
You could get a cable with two "RCA" plugs on one end and a "1/8" stereo
plug" on the other (available at Radio Shack and most computer stores)
to patch a tape record output on your stereo to the "line input" on your
computer's sound card, then use a timed recording program like Total
Recorder (http://www.highcriteria.com , there are other choices out
there) to automatically record to your hard disk at the desired time.

--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com

international radio
 

I might take some heat for mentioning satellite radio in a shortwave
forum. Nevertheless, it seems an option that you might consider, given
what you're interested in doing:

Sirius satellite radio, now available in Canada, has a variety of
programming from international broadcasters. Check out the content on
the World Radio Network (Sirius channel 140):
http://www.sirius.com/servlet/Conten...=1102975192966

Also, Sirius's PRI channel has carries DW programming, among other
things. The CBC Radio One channel on Sirius also carries a few hours
of the Overnight programming mentioned by Doug.

This does, of course, requires a subscription, your payment of a
monthly fee, and your purchase of a Sirius satellite radio receiver and
antenna. A lot of these receivers have FM transmit options whereby you
can receive the signal from your satellite receiver onto any FM tuner
in your home. Also, of course, there are line out jacks for direct
connection to your stereo equipment.

Then there's the shortwave radio route which is another story
altogether... Very interesting and a lot of fun... Might require a
bit more patience initially and a willingness to endure sometimes less
than optimal audio quality.

junius



Amy wrote:
I like listening to foreign radio stations via the internet. But it is
not practical for me to listen via my computer. Does anyone know if
there is a way or a gizmo that will let me access my choice of foreign
radio stations on my stereo? I am a beginner at this.
Thanks
Amy

international radio
 

On 25 Apr 2006 12:19:39 -0700, "Joe Analssandrini"
wrote:

Dear Ms. Amy,

In my opinion, the easiest way to hear foreign radio stations over your
stereo is to buy a Sony ICF-SW7600GR shortwave radio, available from
Amazon.com, J&R Music World, Universal Radio, and/or Amateur Electronic
Supply (AES), and a number of other dealers.

This radio has a "line output" which, via a cable available from Radio
Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., can connect to your stereo via its
AUXiliary jacks. This is very convenient. In addition to listening via
your stereo, you can disconnect the radio and take it with you and
listen to it directly while sitting outside, staying in a hotel room,
etc.

The total cost would be $170 or less (definitely less if you check with
Amazon and/or J&R and look for their "sales" on this radio).

It really does work very well indeed.

Alternatively, you could buy an FM transmitter from C. Crane Company
and connect this transmitter to your computer's audio output jack. Then
you could hear the programs (picked up by the computer and
re-transmitted by the FM transmitter) anywhere in your house or yard
where you can have an FM radio.

But I think the first optiuon is the best. I don't like listening to
radio on my computer - too many "drop-outs," "buffering," etc. This, to
me, is very frustrating. Not that shortwave listening is "easy," but
I'd rather "put up" with radio's flaws than the computer's.

I hope the above gives you some "food for thought."

Best,

Joe

Ouch. That's just painful.

international radio
 

Thanks for all these suggestions, guys. And fyi I am not an
international wimins, I am a displaced American living in Canada and
dying, dying, dying with the awful radio stations up here. My husband
is from France and he too is dying with the radio. I work for a US
company out of my home, which is why I am not interested in using my
computer as a stereo receiver. I am, however, very interested in in the
Sony ICF-SW7600GR. We will only be looking to pick up major NY and
major France stations, no obscure stuff. As we are pretty clueless to
doing this, is it a big deal to FIND the channels we want once we turn
on the radio? I mean, do we just have to scan at will to find them, or
is there a code for each station?
Amy

international radio
 

You can use one of the FM devices used for playing mp3 players thru the car
radio, and plug it into the audio output jack on the computer or the
headphone jack on the speakers. I use an Irock, which I bought from Radio
Shack for $29, and it broadcasts the sound all around the house in FM and
them I pick it up on any FM radio. You can also use it for any audio source
such as cassettes, scanners, portable cd players etc. Works great
"junius" wrote in message
ups.com...
Since the websites of a growing number of int'l broadcasters permit the
downloading of full programs, you might consider the option of getting
an iPod or like product whereby you can just load the programs that
you're intersted in hearing, and then you'll have complete control in
playback.


Amy wrote:
I like listening to foreign radio stations via the internet. But it is
not practical for me to listen via my computer. Does anyone know if
there is a way or a gizmo that will let me access my choice of foreign
radio stations on my stereo? I am a beginner at this.
Thanks
Amy

international radio
 

In article .com,
"Joe Analssandrini" wrote:

Dear Ms. Amy,

In my opinion, the easiest way to hear foreign radio stations over
your stereo is to buy a Sony ICF-SW7600GR shortwave radio, available
from Amazon.com, J&R Music World, Universal Radio, and/or Amateur
Electronic Supply (AES), and a number of other dealers.

This radio has a "line output" which, via a cable available from
Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., can connect to your stereo
via its AUXiliary jacks. This is very convenient. In addition to
listening via your stereo, you can disconnect the radio and take it
with you and listen to it directly while sitting outside, staying in
a hotel room, etc.

The total cost would be $170 or less (definitely less if you check
with Amazon and/or J&R and look for their "sales" on this radio).

It really does work very well indeed.

Alternatively, you could buy an FM transmitter from C. Crane Company
and connect this transmitter to your computer's audio output jack.
Then you could hear the programs (picked up by the computer and
re-transmitted by the FM transmitter) anywhere in your house or yard
where you can have an FM radio.

But I think the first optiuon is the best. I don't like listening to
radio on my computer - too many "drop-outs," "buffering," etc. This,
to me, is very frustrating. Not that shortwave listening is "easy,"
but I'd rather "put up" with radio's flaws than the computer's.

I hope the above gives you some "food for thought."

Good on topic answers.

Internet listening has it's problems. The BBC for example always sounds
like crap with the low bit rate and nauseating audio compression.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

international radio
 

In article . com,
"Amy" wrote:

Thanks for all these suggestions, guys. And fyi I am not an
international wimins, I am a displaced American living in Canada and
dying, dying, dying with the awful radio stations up here. My husband
is from France and he too is dying with the radio. I work for a US
company out of my home, which is why I am not interested in using my
computer as a stereo receiver. I am, however, very interested in in
the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. We will only be looking to pick up major NY
and major France stations, no obscure stuff. As we are pretty
clueless to doing this, is it a big deal to FIND the channels we want
once we turn on the radio? I mean, do we just have to scan at will to
find them, or is there a code for each station?

Short wave listening takes more effort than the AM, FM broadcast bands
because stations are on different frequencies at different times. Short
wave broadcasters transmit from different parts of the world to
different regions so you will need to either purchase or surf the
Internet for schedules to your area. Even though you can pick up
broadcasts meant for different parts of the world it takes better
equipment and antennas than the portable you are considering.

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is an excellent portable.

You need to check out the schedules meant for your area so signals are
strong and have the programming you want to hear. You should be able to
get programming in French without a problem at different times of the
day and evening as Radio Canada and of course France broadcast in
French. You also have Canada's domestic service in english on short
wave.

If you find a particular short wave broadcaster you like they usually
have complete frequency and program schedules that you can print out.

Two popular guides to short wave broadcast listening are Passport to
World Band Radio 2006 and World Radio TV Handbook 2006. They are
printed guides and some of the information goes out of date so if you
find a discrepancy goto that broadcasters web site for up dates.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/bk_swl.html

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

international radio
 

Amy wrote:
Thanks for all these suggestions, guys. And fyi I am not an
international wimins, I am a displaced American living in Canada and
dying, dying, dying with the awful radio stations up here. My husband
is from France and he too is dying with the radio. I work for a US
company out of my home, which is why I am not interested in using my
computer as a stereo receiver. I am, however, very interested in in the
Sony ICF-SW7600GR. We will only be looking to pick up major NY and
major France stations, no obscure stuff. As we are pretty clueless to
doing this, is it a big deal to FIND the channels we want once we turn
on the radio? I mean, do we just have to scan at will to find them, or
is there a code for each station?
Amy

http://www.passband.com/pdf_files/GettingStarted.pdf

international radio
 

On 25 Apr 2006 13:46:59 -0700, "Amy" wrote:

Thanks for all these suggestions, guys. And fyi I am not an
international wimins, I am a displaced American living in Canada and
dying, dying, dying with the awful radio stations up here. My husband
is from France and he too is dying with the radio. I work for a US
company out of my home, which is why I am not interested in using my
computer as a stereo receiver. I am, however, very interested in in the
Sony ICF-SW7600GR. We will only be looking to pick up major NY and
major France stations, no obscure stuff. As we are pretty clueless to
doing this, is it a big deal to FIND the channels we want once we turn
on the radio? I mean, do we just have to scan at will to find them, or
is there a code for each station?
Amy

http://siriuscanada.ca/

international radio
 

Amy wrote:
We will only be looking to pick up major NY and
major France stations, no obscure stuff.

Just curious...what type of programming are you hoping to receive?

international radio
 

David wrote:

On 25 Apr 2006 19:21:28 -0700, "Amy" wrote:

From NY: WKTU (club music), Z100 (top40), etc.
From France: NRJ(pop), Nostalgie (oldies), etc.
As you can see I am not looking for anything obscure, just a better
variety of music. Everytime we are in NY or France we are rejuvinated
with the radio. You know when you hear a song that you love but you
haven't heard it in ages, and you turn to the person next to you and
you shout, "I LOVE this song!"? Well, we never say that up here.
I am willing to give the Sony a try. I will purchase one in the next
couple of weeks and dive in head first to it. Guess I'll figure it out
through trial and error, like most things in life!
Thank you all so much for the help.

Go for the Sirius. Music sounds bad on the shortwave.


I'll have to agree. You can find interesting music on shortwave, but
we're talking Russian folk music and African pop. It doesn't sound like
your taste in music is THAT eclectic, so Sirius has 12 channels each of
practically every format you'd ever want to hear. Depending where you
are in Canada, you may be able to receive FM from the northern US with
the right equipment. I don't think that the Tivoli Audio Model One is
still made anymore, but you can probably find one on ebay. Best FM radio
ever built. Then look for a real FM antenna, not just a length of
twinlead but something from C. Crane.

international radio
 

running dogg wrote:
You can find interesting music on shortwave, but
we're talking Russian folk music and African pop.

Right, and don't forget the khaliji that comes in so well in the
afternoons....

Oh, and Mukesh in a blue mood. :- ( (and you thought things in Canada
couldn't be any more depressing)

I used to like listening to Radio Federacion out of Ecuador...they'd
have a nice mix: you'd have your American or European techno/dance
song followed by a solo instrumental on some three-string tribal
instrument. I believe the content was aimed at the Shuar people
(Jivaro)...you know, the ones who used to be into making shrunken
heads...

Haven't heard R. Federacion in a long long time.

international radio
 

On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:31:07 -0700, running dogg wrote:




I'll have to agree. You can find interesting music on shortwave, but
we're talking Russian folk music and African pop. It doesn't sound like
your taste in music is THAT eclectic, so Sirius has 12 channels each of
practically every format you'd ever want to hear. Depending where you
are in Canada, you may be able to receive FM from the northern US with
the right equipment. I don't think that the Tivoli Audio Model One is
still made anymore, but you can probably find one on ebay. Best FM radio
ever built. Then look for a real FM antenna, not just a length of
twinlead but something from C. Crane.

I have a Model One and a BA Recepter. The Recepter is better than the
Model One. Sangean also has a Recepter clone, but I haven't tried one
of those.

international radio
 

In article ,
running dogg wrote:

David wrote:

Snip insipidly stupid satellite Trolling crapola

I'll have to agree. You can find interesting music on shortwave, but
we're talking Russian folk music and African pop. It doesn't sound like
your taste in music is THAT eclectic, so Sirius has 12 channels each of
practically every format you'd ever want to hear. Depending where you
are in Canada, you may be able to receive FM from the northern US with
the right equipment. I don't think that the Tivoli Audio Model One is
still made anymore, but you can probably find one on ebay. Best FM radio
ever built. Then look for a real FM antenna, not just a length of
twinlead but something from C. Crane.

I have to disagree. I get plenty of music on short wave other than
Russian folk music and African pop. Radio Netherlands last weekend
played classical, Radio Japan contemporary pop, rock, punk and
and Cuba has their own stile just to mention a few. Various Island
ethnic music from Radio New Zealand. Radio Australia with old rock,
contemporary, punk, country western. Then there is All India radio. If
you want to hear something different your best place to hear it is short
wave.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

international radio
 

Dear Ms. Amy,

In my opinion the best source for "how to listen to shortwave" is the
book PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO by Larry Magne; it is available very
inexpensively from Amazon.com as well as other dealers. It is published
yearly in October so you might want to wait for the next edition unless
the money involved (less than $20.00) is not a deterrent. I buy it
every year.

Another most useful book which I also buy yearly is the WORLD RADIO-TV
HANDBOOK, also available from Amazon.com and other places. This is
particularly useful for station information, both Medium Wave (the
regular AM band) and Short Wave (and FM and TV to boot).

The most convenient and up-to-date sources for station schedules are on
the web: PrimeTimeShortwave, the ILG, Eibi, and a few others.
RadioIntel.com is an extremely useful site which, among many other
things, has lots of links to useful radio sites.

I do not know where in Canada you are located, but the Sony
ICF-SW7600GR is particularly sensitive on the Medium Wave band. If it
is necessary to "enhance" its MW reception, I have found that a
Select-A-Tenna (available from C. Crane Company and other dealers) is
quite useful, especially if the radio and the Select-A-Tenna are put on
a "lazy susan." This allows the "directional" characteristics of the
radio and the antenna to be maximized. You should be able to hear the
stronger NY radio stations if you live in the east of Canada or its
mid-west.

Radio France (in English) is an easy "catch" though generally only in
the daytime or in the middle of the night.

If you like music, there is no end to it, especially exotic music on
the "tropical bands" (4750 - 5025 kHz) and from some of the African
countries.

I think that, with this radio and the FM transmitter I mentioned to
send the signals to your stereo, you will find an abundance of
stimulating and thought-provoking broadcasts.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Joe

international radio
 

This thread has been an interesting lesson in perspective, huh? When
we the shortwave group heard that Amy loved "foreign radio stations", I
think we all naturally thought that she had in mind the sort of
programming that we in this group tend to enjoy: Radio Netherlands, V.
of Vietnam, Radio Transoxiana...or take your pick.

I don't think that NYC top 40 stations came to mind, although I suppose
that, given the existence of an international boundary between NYC and
her location in Canada, such stations are "foreign radio".

In any case, given the sort of thing that she's wanting to receive,
there are probably better options out there for her than shortwave
radio, even if there is the chance that she might in some odd instances
stumble across a transmission of the type of music that she enjoys.

Also, her interest is exclusively in the music...and, let's face it, if
she has even a remotely discriminating ear, then the type of audio
quality that can be expected with a shortwave transmission is likely
going to disappoint. Sure, we in this group love shortwave, and many
of us enjoy listening to music over this medium, despite its very
audible limitations.

international radio
 

On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 17:31:30 GMT, Telamon
wrote:

In article ,
running dogg wrote:

David wrote:

Snip insipidly stupid satellite Trolling crapola

I'll have to agree. You can find interesting music on shortwave, but
we're talking Russian folk music and African pop. It doesn't sound like
your taste in music is THAT eclectic, so Sirius has 12 channels each of
practically every format you'd ever want to hear. Depending where you
are in Canada, you may be able to receive FM from the northern US with
the right equipment. I don't think that the Tivoli Audio Model One is
still made anymore, but you can probably find one on ebay. Best FM radio
ever built. Then look for a real FM antenna, not just a length of
twinlead but something from C. Crane.

I have to disagree. I get plenty of music on short wave other than
Russian folk music and African pop. Radio Netherlands last weekend
played classical, Radio Japan contemporary pop, rock, punk and
and Cuba has their own stile just to mention a few. Various Island
ethnic music from Radio New Zealand. Radio Australia with old rock,
contemporary, punk, country western. Then there is All India radio. If
you want to hear something different your best place to hear it is short
wave.
Once upon a time, HF was the place to go for eclectic musical
esoterica. Times change.

international radio
 

On 26 Apr 2006 12:47:42 -0700, "junius" wrote:


Telamon wrote:

In Amy's case, since her listening interests are more mainstream,
satellite radio does offer some of what she's wanting: you can find
the top-40 content; the content of Sirius's French-language music
channels might disappoint, though, since I believe it's primarily music
by French Canadian artists.

BBC Radio 1 plays a lot of Euro stuff.

international radio
 

Guys, my head is reeling! I also posted this question on an Apple forum
(I am a mac user) and I too have been sent to Short Wave by them. But
we are looking to ROCK THE HOUSE and feel like we are home again. The
broadcasts need to be clear. I am in Montreal, so the NYC stations are
not far. It's the France ones that will be harder. we are specifically
looking to hear live broadcasts from our respective hometown stations,
not just good music but the feeling of being home too (we've been here
11 years, you'd think we'd be over it by now!). I am fearing my best
bet is to just do it through the computer via the internet. My
hesitation is just over-using my Powerbook which is vital to my job.
Maybe I can buy a cheap second hand computer or laptop to hook up the
internet to the stereo speakers...

international radio
 

In article . com,
"junius" wrote:

This thread has been an interesting lesson in perspective, huh? When
we the shortwave group heard that Amy loved "foreign radio stations", I
think we all naturally thought that she had in mind the sort of
programming that we in this group tend to enjoy: Radio Netherlands, V.
of Vietnam, Radio Transoxiana...or take your pick.

I don't think that NYC top 40 stations came to mind, although I suppose
that, given the existence of an international boundary between NYC and
her location in Canada, such stations are "foreign radio".

In any case, given the sort of thing that she's wanting to receive,
there are probably better options out there for her than shortwave
radio, even if there is the chance that she might in some odd instances
stumble across a transmission of the type of music that she enjoys.

Also, her interest is exclusively in the music...and, let's face it, if
she has even a remotely discriminating ear, then the type of audio
quality that can be expected with a shortwave transmission is likely
going to disappoint. Sure, we in this group love shortwave, and many
of us enjoy listening to music over this medium, despite its very
audible limitations.

I thought she wanted broadcasts in French for her husband.

"My husband is from France and he too is dying with the radio."

"I am, however, very interested in the Sony ICF-SW7600GR."

"We will only be looking to pick up major NY and major France stations,
no obscure stuff."

Based on these quotes and by golly the fact that she posted in
rec.radio.shortwave, I would make the assumption that she is actually
interested in short wave reception.

Now I know it will be a novel concept to some that posting here
indicates an actual interest in short wave but its true!

You are supposed to post news and information germane to the news
group. This might be a hard fact for the satellite Trolls to swallow
but that is how Usenet is supposed to work.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

international radio
 

In article .com,
"Amy" wrote:

Guys, my head is reeling! I also posted this question on an Apple forum
(I am a mac user) and I too have been sent to Short Wave by them. But
we are looking to ROCK THE HOUSE and feel like we are home again. The
broadcasts need to be clear. I am in Montreal, so the NYC stations are
not far. It's the France ones that will be harder. we are specifically
looking to hear live broadcasts from our respective hometown stations,
not just good music but the feeling of being home too (we've been here
11 years, you'd think we'd be over it by now!). I am fearing my best
bet is to just do it through the computer via the internet. My
hesitation is just over-using my Powerbook which is vital to my job.
Maybe I can buy a cheap second hand computer or laptop to hook up the
internet to the stereo speakers...

Sorry for misunderstanding what you wanted. You were sent to the wrong
place unless you are interested in broadcast band or short wave
listening. You have two choices other than short wave and that is XM,
Sirius satellite or streaming Internet.

Why are you afraid of Internet streaming? You have OSX and it
multitasks no problem so you can work and stream at the same time. That
is what I do. Do you have a low bandwidth connection? Why don't you use
Itunes radio? Maybe they don't have what you want?

How about this streaming link
http://www.440.com/440satx.html

Another streaming link
http://www.live365.com/stations/easye12

To find radio station links use this. If the station has a web page this
will find it and you can go there looking for a stream link.
http://radio-locator.com/

Music on the Internet
http://www.netradio.com/

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

international radio
 

"David" wrote in message
...
On 26 Apr 2006 12:47:42 -0700, "junius" wrote:


Telamon wrote:

In Amy's case, since her listening interests are more mainstream,
satellite radio does offer some of what she's wanting: you can find
the top-40 content; the content of Sirius's French-language music
channels might disappoint, though, since I believe it's primarily music
by French Canadian artists.

BBC Radio 1 plays a lot of Euro stuff.

But not FRENCH pop oldies, which is most of what Nostalgie plays.

international radio
 

You bet! And not just in high school!

Joe

international radio
 

Oh yes it is!

Joe

international radio
 

"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Oh yes it is!

Joe

"Oh yes" what is?

international radio
 

On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:22:43 GMT, "David Eduardo"
wrote:


"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
roups.com...
Oh yes it is!

Joe

"Oh yes" what is?


Oh my God am I here all alone...

international radio
 

"David" wrote in message
...
On 26 Apr 2006 13:55:32 -0700, "Amy" wrote:

Guys, my head is reeling! I also posted this question on an Apple forum
(I am a mac user) and I too have been sent to Short Wave by them. But
we are looking to ROCK THE HOUSE and feel like we are home again. The
broadcasts need to be clear. I am in Montreal, so the NYC stations are
not far. It's the France ones that will be harder. we are specifically
looking to hear live broadcasts from our respective hometown stations,
not just good music but the feeling of being home too (we've been here
11 years, you'd think we'd be over it by now!). I am fearing my best
bet is to just do it through the computer via the internet. My
hesitation is just over-using my Powerbook which is vital to my job.
Maybe I can buy a cheap second hand computer or laptop to hook up the
internet to the stereo speakers...

These tune selected internet radio stations and require no computer.

http://www.rokulabs.com/products/soundbridge/index.php

That looks like an excellent suggestion for Amy and her partner's musical
interests, technical capabilities and desire for pretty good stereo quality.
Many Internet 'radio' stations stream at 128 kbps and can sound quite
decent. If dropouts due to network congestion have not been a problem on the
Mac, then they should not be with this radio-like appliance.

Tom

international radio
 

On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 20:33:48 -0400, "Tom Holden"
wrote:


These tune selected internet radio stations and require no computer.

http://www.rokulabs.com/products/soundbridge/index.php

That looks like an excellent suggestion for Amy and her partner's musical
interests, technical capabilities and desire for pretty good stereo quality.
Many Internet 'radio' stations stream at 128 kbps and can sound quite
decent. If dropouts due to network congestion have not been a problem on the
Mac, then they should not be with this radio-like appliance.

Tom

Only downside I see is that they don't tune to RA or WMA, just MP-3
stations.

international radio
 

"David" wrote in message
...
Only downside I see is that they don't tune to RA or WMA, just MP-3
stations.

According to http://www.rokulabs.com/products/selectionguide.php, they
support:
MP3
AAC
WMA and DRM10
WAV / AIFF

but there are restrictions in the current software - see
http://www.rokulabs.com/support/internetradio.php - including WMA Voice
format used by BBC World Service (future support planned) and nothing other
than http streaming.

Seems to work with iTunes.