Wonderful resource for public radio lovers

[Paddy]

Just found this site: http://jrabold.net/radio/index.htm

I downloaded the Allegro iTunes list and installed it - yes, some of those radio stations are already in iTunes' listing, but it's nice to have them all in one place.

Also a great resource if you're fond of particular music programs and want to know where/when they're playing on other stations if you miss your local broadcast. (Sorry, they don't list "Car Talk" )

Now, if we could only get WNED to broadcast in a format that iTunes understands...oh well - I did find it on the Reciva list so at least it's now playing in VLC instead of flat out refusing to play in Windows Media. I've also sent an email to the webmaster of the station, since they declare that Mac users can listen via the .pls link - but then neglect to provide that link! We've become commercial-free classical deprived in Toronto lately - the CBC decided to change the format of CBC2, much to the disgust of classical fans. WNED is very good - not just the mainstream pap that so many commercial classical stations feed you.

[Highmac]

Lovers of classical, jazz and world music might like to check out BBC Radio3. No commercials

[Xairbusdriver]

I feel your pain! Many FM stations around here have started using the soon to be required digital signals and the NPR station now has Classical on pretty much 24/7. You just have to switch between the two signals. Unfortunately, they moved all the talk to the digital only side (except for the news and most of the weekend). It's almost enough to make me buy a digital receiver. But I spend time listening during the day while I'm on the road and I just can't see paying the price for a completely new, non-standard installation in one car. Why does 'progress' always seem to cost so much?!

[kbeartx]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Nov 4 2008, 11:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...We've become commercial-free classical deprived in Toronto lately ...

Austin's commercial-free Classical Music is KMFA and IMO is superb at what they do.  I tested the iTunes-friendly link they provide; it worked seamlessly and sounds good.  I also noticed that 'commercial-free' isn't what it used to be...

On another note, many of the wonderful NPR shows [Car Talk, Fresh Air, and many, many others] are available as downloadable Podcasts at the iTunes store and/or NPR.org.  Listening to these shows as podcasts allows you to hear them on your schedule, and not be dependent on where or when they are broadcast.

KB

[Xairbusdriver]

That's a good idea, KB! I may look into finding some kind of adaptor that would work in my rather basic CD/Radio only 'system' so I could use my iPhone. Maybe one of those doohickies that transmits on an available FM freq.?

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Nov 4 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I feel your pain! Many FM stations around here have started using the soon to be required digital signals and the NPR station now has Classical on pretty much 24/7. You just have to switch between the two signals. Unfortunately, they moved all the talk to the digital only side (except for the news and most of the weekend). It's almost enough to make me buy a digital receiver. But I spend time listening during the day while I'm on the road and I just can't see paying the price for a completely new, non-standard installation in one car. Why does 'progress' always seem to cost so much?!

Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. I mean ... hold up there ...

Now, I know about the TV digital (there are even posters all over town about it) ... but is radio going digital as well? Does this mean my FM radios (car and home) will no longer work? I'm going to have to listen to radio via iTunes or web interface? That STINKS! Mainly because our local stations web interface stinks. I can get 10 minutes of a program and then it loops and loops and loops.

Are there converters for this? Or am I up the creek without a paddle?

Now I'm getting upset.

I think I'll go buy more DRM free music from Amazon.

[Paddy]

Er, no - radio isn't going digital the way TV is (by law) - you don't need to rush out and get a digital radio receiver just yet!

In the US, things are still developing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_radio

As far as I know, there is "soon to be required" - other than possibly requiring satellite radio receivers to receive digital signals.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080...go-digital.html

I'm not sure which radio station Jim is referring to - the Memphis public radio station, WKNO, broadcasts in HD and in analog at the same frequency. So if you have an HD receiver, you get the better-quality reception of HD; if not, then you can listen as you always have in analog. I'd imagine that is what most stations are doing for the time being - it's going to be a while before there is any real push to make it a legal requirement. Granted - if I was going to buy a new sound system right now, I'd make sure it had an HD radio tuner...and wifi would be nice too...

http://www.wknofm.org/HDradio.html

Kimmer, which radio station(s) are you trying to listen to?

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Nov 4 2008, 06:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Er, no - radio isn't going digital the way TV is (by law) - you don't need to rush out and get a digital radio receiver just yet!

WHEW! Okay, thanks ... gads ... radio reception around here stinks as it is, without tossing digital in the mix.

QUOTE

Kimmer, which radio station(s) are you trying to listen to?

KCUP - which is AM and none of us around here can pull it in. In fact, the only stations we get here are the FM stations. I'd really enjoy listening to the local stuff from 6am-10am but I can't get it to work. And no, I've not bothered contacting them because my neighbor tried that and got told, "Oh, you have a Mac. We can't help you."


Here's KCUP's site:
http://www.kcup.net/listening/

Here's the streaming page:
http://www.bossradio.net/KCUP/Syndicated%20Programs.htm

[sandbox]

Paddy have you ever tried XM radio? It's not free but you have a broad arrangement of choices. You can get a portable and carry it with you too.

[krissel]

I have a satellite radio receiver in my car but have never activated it.    Don't want to pay for what I grew up thinking should be free...radio.  

BTW, I refused to pay the extra $400 they wanted to charge for the radio when I bought the car.

[jcarter]

We have a plethora of stations here on Cape Cod, but my favourite one is WMVY.
They have lots of blues too.
I dont listen to very much radio, but find there is enough around here for anybody. Yeah, Car Talk is fun.
Our TV cable provider, Comcast also has digital music stations. Ive never explored if they can be brought in on our computers, but I wouldnt be surprised if they could be.
Thank you for the links.
Jane

[Paddy]

No, SB - like Kris, I object to paying for radio...I pay enough as it is for broadband internet, cable and telephone. Besides - there are so many online radio stations via iTunes etc. that I'm never at a loss for something to listen to. Plus I have a rather extensive collection of music CDs which are all ripped to iTunes and the stuff I've bought online as well (some 23.9 days worth according to iTunes) I actually like CBC Radio 1 a lot - it's a lot like NPR. My aunt listened to CBC 2 all the time and was one of those most upset with their format change. She wants the ability to listen throughout her house, on a radio she can move around. Like me, she wasn't all that interested in XM's subscription model; she simply wants to listen to WNED. So, now she's on a quest to get an AEB and a wifi radio. We have two Airport Express' so we can and do hook them up to our stereo to stream music from our Macs. However, the stupid microwave is in the same general area as the AE (on the main floor) and effectively cuts the transmission every time it's used. So, I often just use the iPod hooked to the receiver instead. In my study area/computer room, I have a great Teac mini sound system that outputs the sound from my Mac and it's where I usually listen to online radio. In the car - one of the iPods gets hooked up and we often listen to podcasts (the Skeptics Guide to the Universe being a big family favorite - have you ever listened to it?).

[Paddy]

Kimmer, I got that stream to play in VLC no problem. Just paste the URL into the window when you go to File->Open File. Be patient - it takes a little time to open the stream. Hasn't dropped it yet.

The link to use is:

http://asx.abacast.com/boss-kcup-32.asx?re...&uofc=false - or http://jeff.wm-live.abacast.com/boss-kcup-32
You can get the second, shorter link by doing the following in the Terminal:

curl http://asx.abacast.com/boss-kcup-32.asx?re...&uofc=false and then hit return. I did try dropping the resulting URL into iTunes, but it just sat there and did nothing.

If you need to download VLC, it's free and found here:

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[kimmer]

Hmmm ... 5 minutes later and I'm still waiting.

I'll keep trying.

[Xairbusdriver]

The "HD" is digital, it can't be tuned with an analog receiver. That's one reason they offer them as 'bonuses' for contributions over a certain amount during the pledge drives. I think the amount is just over what i contribute each year. I did get a nice "crank" radio a couple of years ago, but that's another story.

So, no the digital TV system is not (yet) affecting radio but there are more and more stations starting to use it because they can cram more choices in the same signal, even more than with a TV signal. Music/talk requires a whole lot less bandwidth than video and talk.

But the change for TV stations will also affect many other organizations from churches to local delivery companies. The problem is the frequencies most "consumer" wireless transmitters/receivers are the same as regular TV stations, at least with channels 13 through 51. While 99.9% of those non-TV users will never interfere with a TV channel, the stations power will make the consumer models practically worthless. And these things are not cheap. They start at $200+ and go on up to a thousand+. Included in the affect group are many entertainers/groups, entertainment venues, museums, colleges, etc. Thanks to the all-knowing FCC all these groups may face some big costs soon. Assuming the FCC actually sets aside any and enough specific freqs!