A two way radio is generally a handheld device that can be used for a variety of purposes. The most common and popular use of this type of a radio is for communication. Such a radio can be used for sending and receiving data or signals at the same time.
This makes these devices convenient to use. These days, two way radios come with a lot of features. These features have been added keeping in mind the needs of the users.
These radios are available in different price ranges. Most radios of this type are affordable. Also these radios are available in several different variants.
Every person uses a two way radio for different purposes. Therefore, the type of radio that is purchased by a customer depends upon the usage of the radio for the person. There are several things that have to be kept in mind when buying a two way radio.
One of the main considerations includes the basic components of the radio. One of the most important components that need to be checked is the battery. Most of these types of radios come with an internal rechargeable battery.
These batteries simply need charging for the radios to be used for a long time. One the other hand many radios come with replaceable batteries. In these radios, once the life of the batteries gets over, the batteries need to be replaced with new ones to continue using the radio.
Another factor that determines the two way radio that can be purchased is the features or the functions that are available in the radio. Many radios have special functions that attract a large number of customers.
Many times these radios have features that help in navigation or for outdoor activities like hunting etc. A lot of people prefer these types of radios. However, these are more expensive than the radios that have normal or ordinary functions.
One more thing that can be focused on when buying two way radios includes GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels. Most radios come with this feature so that the signal can be received more clearly.
This feature can also help one catch exclusive frequencies. The incorporation of this feature makes a two way radio more expensive than the normal radios.
The cost of this type of radio also needs to be considered before one can be purchased. These radios are generally affordable. However, if a person needs extra features in the radio, one has to spend a little more.
These types of radios are very useful and can be used for many types of activities. For making the best choice when this type of a radio has to be purchased, one must know about all the features that this type of radio offers or incorporates.
This will ensure that a person knows what features one wants in the two way radio that they are purchasing. This also ensures that a person makes the purchase within their budget and does not end up spending more for a 2 way radio that does not serve them and their business well.
Rob Burdett is from UK Radio Communications Ltd, the UK's Leading Provider of Two Way Radios for Schools, Pubs, Shopping Centres, Retailers and Businesses of all types.
With a fully secure and stocked online store, UK Radio Comms provide modern two way radios and radio communication equipment for hire and sale.
With radios available including Motorola Two Way Radios, Kenwood 2 Way Radio, ICOM and HYT, UK Radio Comms highly knowledgable and experienced staff can provide you with advice and guidance so you and your business gets exactly the right radio equipment for your needs and budget.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Buying a Two Way Radio
A two way radio is generally a handheld device that can be used for a variety of purposes. The most common and popular use of this type of a radio is for communication. Such a radio can be used for sending and receiving data or signals at the same time.
This makes these devices convenient to use. These days, two way radios come with a lot of features. These features have been added keeping in mind the needs of the users.
These radios are available in different price ranges. Most radios of this type are affordable. Also these radios are available in several different variants.
Every person uses a two way radio for different purposes. Therefore, the type of radio that is purchased by a customer depends upon the usage of the radio for the person. There are several things that have to be kept in mind when buying a two way radio.
One of the main considerations includes the basic components of the radio. One of the most important components that need to be checked is the battery. Most of these types of radios come with an internal rechargeable battery.
These batteries simply need charging for the radios to be used for a long time. One the other hand many radios come with replaceable batteries. In these radios, once the life of the batteries gets over, the batteries need to be replaced with new ones to continue using the radio.
Another factor that determines the two way radio that can be purchased is the features or the functions that are available in the radio. Many radios have special functions that attract a large number of customers.
Many times these radios have features that help in navigation or for outdoor activities like hunting etc. A lot of people prefer these types of radios. However, these are more expensive than the radios that have normal or ordinary functions.
One more thing that can be focused on when buying two way radios includes GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels. Most radios come with this feature so that the signal can be received more clearly.
This feature can also help one catch exclusive frequencies. The incorporation of this feature makes a two way radio more expensive than the normal radios.
The cost of this type of radio also needs to be considered before one can be purchased. These radios are generally affordable. However, if a person needs extra features in the radio, one has to spend a little more.
These types of radios are very useful and can be used for many types of activities. For making the best choice when this type of a radio has to be purchased, one must know about all the features that this type of radio offers or incorporates.
This will ensure that a person knows what features one wants in the two way radio that they are purchasing. This also ensures that a person makes the purchase within their budget and does not end up spending more for a 2 way radio that does not serve them and their business well.
Rob Burdett is from UK Radio Communications Ltd, the UK's Leading Provider of Two Way Radios for Schools, Pubs, Shopping Centres, Retailers and Businesses of all types.
With a fully secure and stocked online store, UK Radio Comms provide modern two way radios and radio communication equipment for hire and sale.
With radios available including Motorola Two Way Radios, Kenwood 2 Way Radio, ICOM and HYT, UK Radio Comms highly knowledgable and experienced staff can provide you with advice and guidance so you and your business gets exactly the right radio equipment for your needs and budget.
This makes these devices convenient to use. These days, two way radios come with a lot of features. These features have been added keeping in mind the needs of the users.
These radios are available in different price ranges. Most radios of this type are affordable. Also these radios are available in several different variants.
Every person uses a two way radio for different purposes. Therefore, the type of radio that is purchased by a customer depends upon the usage of the radio for the person. There are several things that have to be kept in mind when buying a two way radio.
One of the main considerations includes the basic components of the radio. One of the most important components that need to be checked is the battery. Most of these types of radios come with an internal rechargeable battery.
These batteries simply need charging for the radios to be used for a long time. One the other hand many radios come with replaceable batteries. In these radios, once the life of the batteries gets over, the batteries need to be replaced with new ones to continue using the radio.
Another factor that determines the two way radio that can be purchased is the features or the functions that are available in the radio. Many radios have special functions that attract a large number of customers.
Many times these radios have features that help in navigation or for outdoor activities like hunting etc. A lot of people prefer these types of radios. However, these are more expensive than the radios that have normal or ordinary functions.
One more thing that can be focused on when buying two way radios includes GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels. Most radios come with this feature so that the signal can be received more clearly.
This feature can also help one catch exclusive frequencies. The incorporation of this feature makes a two way radio more expensive than the normal radios.
The cost of this type of radio also needs to be considered before one can be purchased. These radios are generally affordable. However, if a person needs extra features in the radio, one has to spend a little more.
These types of radios are very useful and can be used for many types of activities. For making the best choice when this type of a radio has to be purchased, one must know about all the features that this type of radio offers or incorporates.
This will ensure that a person knows what features one wants in the two way radio that they are purchasing. This also ensures that a person makes the purchase within their budget and does not end up spending more for a 2 way radio that does not serve them and their business well.
Rob Burdett is from UK Radio Communications Ltd, the UK's Leading Provider of Two Way Radios for Schools, Pubs, Shopping Centres, Retailers and Businesses of all types.
With a fully secure and stocked online store, UK Radio Comms provide modern two way radios and radio communication equipment for hire and sale.
With radios available including Motorola Two Way Radios, Kenwood 2 Way Radio, ICOM and HYT, UK Radio Comms highly knowledgable and experienced staff can provide you with advice and guidance so you and your business gets exactly the right radio equipment for your needs and budget.
Sirius Radio - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
Sirius radio, or more generally satellite radio, came out just a few years ago. If you've never listened to satellite radio or heard about it, this article is your lucky break.
What Is Satellite Radio?
Just like the name indicates, satellite radio uses satellites and related equipment to broadcast radio channels to car or home radios. The concept really received its impetus in 1992 when the FCC set aside a chunk of radio frequency for what they called Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS).
Five years later, Sirius Radio and XM Satellite Radio purchased licenses from the FCC, and both companies started putting the pieces into place to be able to start broadcasting.
Conventional radio waves can only travel 35 to 45 miles before they die out. The signal for satellite radio services is broadcast more than 20,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
Programming on satellite radio is subscriber based, meaning you pay a monthly fee to descramble the signal from the satellites. But, most satellite radio service comes commercial free, so you don't have to worry about channel hopping. Channels include music, talk radio, sporting events, kids programs, and news.
The Who's Who of Satellite Radio
There are currently three major players in the satellite radio game: Sirius radio, XM satellite radio, and WorldSpace.
Sirius radio covers North America, including the continental U.S., Canada, and Alaska. XM provides service in the continental U.S. WorldSpace is developing coverage in other parts of the world (Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America) and are definitely the most ambitious in terms of client coverage (a potential of 4.6 billion clients covered on 5 different continents).
Each company uses different satellite technology and methods to provide service in their respective areas.
Satellite radio equipment, such as car receivers and home stereos, are sold at a variety of consumer electronic stores, and are starting to become standard installations in new cars.
Conventional radios cannot receive satellite radio transmissions, so picking up the service usually entails purchasing a receiver, though some kits are available to make conventional radios satellite-radio compatible.
Because of the different technology each company utilizes, receivers are not compatible with every company. For example, if you subscribed to XM but then wanted to switch to Sirius radio, you would need to get a new receiver that was compatible with Sirius.
Some satellite television companies include satellite radio service in their channel packages, and you can receive the transmission through your television satellite dish.
How Does Satellite Radio Work?
This is the cool part. The music, talk show, sporting event, etc., are recorded digitally in a studio, after which the message is encoded. The encoded signal is sent to the satellites from ground stations (Sirius radio based in New York; XM based out of D.C.).
The satellites then relay the signal to receivers in your car or at home. The receivers contain chipsets that decode the signal and play it through you stereo. In urban areas where taller buildings might block the signal from the satellites, ground repeaters or transmitters are used to resend the signal, eliminating pockets of dead space.
XM uses two satellites to cover the continental United States with their signal. Sirius radio uses three satellites to form a satellite constellation.
The way they are set in orbit ensures that each satellite spends about 16 hours at a time covering the U.S. and that there is always at least one satellite over the U.S. at any given time.
WorldSpace satellites beam three signals each to increase the amount of territory they are able to cover with their three satellites. All three companies have reserve satellites ready to launch in case one of their satellites stops working.
What Is Satellite Radio?
Just like the name indicates, satellite radio uses satellites and related equipment to broadcast radio channels to car or home radios. The concept really received its impetus in 1992 when the FCC set aside a chunk of radio frequency for what they called Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS).
Five years later, Sirius Radio and XM Satellite Radio purchased licenses from the FCC, and both companies started putting the pieces into place to be able to start broadcasting.
Conventional radio waves can only travel 35 to 45 miles before they die out. The signal for satellite radio services is broadcast more than 20,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
Programming on satellite radio is subscriber based, meaning you pay a monthly fee to descramble the signal from the satellites. But, most satellite radio service comes commercial free, so you don't have to worry about channel hopping. Channels include music, talk radio, sporting events, kids programs, and news.
The Who's Who of Satellite Radio
There are currently three major players in the satellite radio game: Sirius radio, XM satellite radio, and WorldSpace.
Sirius radio covers North America, including the continental U.S., Canada, and Alaska. XM provides service in the continental U.S. WorldSpace is developing coverage in other parts of the world (Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America) and are definitely the most ambitious in terms of client coverage (a potential of 4.6 billion clients covered on 5 different continents).
Each company uses different satellite technology and methods to provide service in their respective areas.
Satellite radio equipment, such as car receivers and home stereos, are sold at a variety of consumer electronic stores, and are starting to become standard installations in new cars.
Conventional radios cannot receive satellite radio transmissions, so picking up the service usually entails purchasing a receiver, though some kits are available to make conventional radios satellite-radio compatible.
Because of the different technology each company utilizes, receivers are not compatible with every company. For example, if you subscribed to XM but then wanted to switch to Sirius radio, you would need to get a new receiver that was compatible with Sirius.
Some satellite television companies include satellite radio service in their channel packages, and you can receive the transmission through your television satellite dish.
How Does Satellite Radio Work?
This is the cool part. The music, talk show, sporting event, etc., are recorded digitally in a studio, after which the message is encoded. The encoded signal is sent to the satellites from ground stations (Sirius radio based in New York; XM based out of D.C.).
The satellites then relay the signal to receivers in your car or at home. The receivers contain chipsets that decode the signal and play it through you stereo. In urban areas where taller buildings might block the signal from the satellites, ground repeaters or transmitters are used to resend the signal, eliminating pockets of dead space.
XM uses two satellites to cover the continental United States with their signal. Sirius radio uses three satellites to form a satellite constellation.
The way they are set in orbit ensures that each satellite spends about 16 hours at a time covering the U.S. and that there is always at least one satellite over the U.S. at any given time.
WorldSpace satellites beam three signals each to increase the amount of territory they are able to cover with their three satellites. All three companies have reserve satellites ready to launch in case one of their satellites stops working.
5 Things to Consider When Buying a Shortwave Radio
1. Cost:
Hobbies can get as expensive as we let them. Shortwave radio listening is not as popular in the United States as it is in many other parts of the world. In all honesty, at times the prices of shortwave receiver sets in the United States can seem a little steep for what you are actually buying. This might be due at least in part to the fact that a good portion of amateur and shortwave radio dealers in the United States tend to rely on government purchases for revenue.
Even so, choosing a good shortwave receiver to be your primary workhorse needn't break the bank. Although there is no shortage of expensive radio gear, there are currently a few quality portable shortwave radios available to residents of the United States for affordable prices.
Fortunately, at this point in history people living inside the United States are not required to pay a receiver set license fee for shortwave radios as citizens residing elsewhere such as Europe might have to in order to fund public broadcasting. Today the prices of new shortwave radios in the United States range anywhere from around $40 or so for compact handheld receivers to upwards of several thousand dollars for advanced monitoring devices.
Finding the right shortwave receiver for your needs and budget first requires defining what you hope to be able to hear with your radio and how much that you are willing or able to spend.
Prices of medium sized portable shortwave radios at present in the United States range anywhere from just over $100 to around $500. Many of these middle of the road shortwave receivers tend to offer a good variety of features and functionality along with a price tag that is bearable for most who are serious about putting their radios to work.
Something to consider when budgeting for a shortwave radio is that, while additional equipment is not necessarily a requirement for one to be able to log shortwave broadcasts, having a decent external antenna can make all of the difference in the world for reception. Crafting homebrewed antennas is part of the fun for shortwave radio hobbyists.
Provided that you are willing to use your head and do a little soldering yourself, the price of such projects can be determined by the cost of materials or plans. Commercially available antennas come in many different forms and configurations. For less than $100 in today's prices a tuned dipole or compact active antenna can be attained.
2. Quality:
There are many different shortwave receivers on the market. Not all of them were built to last and, in some extreme cases, even work properly right off the shelf. Avoiding being stuck with a lemon by making the effort to do some homework before making a purchase can greatly increase your chances of finding shortwave radio listening to be a rewarding hobby from the start. As most salespeople would agree, it is generally accepted that you get what you pay for.
This is quite often the case but is not always true. The quality of a shortwave radio is ultimately dependent on the manufacturer and it stands to reason that there are many business models in existence that attempt to produce maximum financial gain from minimum input.
Talking to other shortwave hobbyists or doing some detective work on your own are good ways to learn about the pros and cons of different shortwave radio models, their reliability, as well as personal experiences with shortwave equipment dealers.
Participating in radio related internet forum discussions or going to radio club meetings can be a way to educate yourself. Reviews can be a helpful way to become familiar with many of the available features of various shortwave radio models as well as the quirks or undesirable aspects of particular radio sets. However, it is important to understand that some reviewers might give an opinion regarding a product which is biased because of their own interest in somehow making a profit from your purchase.
Therefore, taking in more than one or two reviews as well as talking to more experienced shortwave hobbyists is highly recommended as a means to gauge the quality of a particular shortwave radio set, manufacturer or distributor.
3. Functionality:
Aside from the ability for a particular radio to connect to and utilize various different external antennas, perhaps the most important defining aspect of a shortwave radio's capacity is limited by the frequencies which it can receive. When selecting a shortwave radio it is a good idea to make sure that it is capable of receiving in the different modes where transmissions that you would like to monitor occur.
The term "shortwave" has a broad scope and is generally used to refer to high frequency (HF) communications consisting of multiple "bands", or portions of the radio spectrum. Most commercially available shortwave radios provide access to the frequencies where large commercial shortwave stations transmit public broadcasts.
However, some radio monitoring hobbyists like to log aircraft, marine activity, or utilities such as beacons and may require special receivers which include frequency coverage which permits doing so. It is important to note that the definition of shortwave bands can vary and not all shortwave receivers cover the entire HF radio spectrum.
Some shortwave radios include coverage of bands where ham radio transmissions occur and many receivers include air traffic bands which are considered to be very high frequency (VHF). Due to the popularity of medium wave (MW) AM and FM radio stations, access to the commonly used bands may be included in the coverage of shortwave receivers.
Most of the real optional bells and whistles incorporated into modern shortwave radios are aimed at tuning methods. A lot of the specialized options related to shortwave tuning deal with being able to pull out or eliminate specific signals.
Display may feature a light or offer a utilitarian menu which enables access to the radio's features.It is not vital to understand the ins and outs all of the additional features available in shortwave radios to find a basic set which is suitable the needs of most beginner hobbyists.
By first gaining an understanding what you would like to listen to and then making sure that you will not be limited by your choice of equipment you should be able to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase.
4. Size:
Commonly available shortwave radios for personal use come in sizes ranging from pocket or handheld models to tabletop sets. Handheld shortwave radios can be as small as the size of a wallet which enables portability with ease.
Depending on the model, pocket sided to medium sized shortwave receivers are for the most part very well suited for use in a wide range of places. Medium sized shortwave radios can be taken along when traveling as they are easy to pack in luggage and the built in antennas are often sufficient for acceptable reception of transmissions by large international and domestic broadcasters.
Medium sized receivers also make for good side table companions in bedrooms and many of them even tend to come with built in alarm clock features.
Larger tabletop shortwave radio sets are typically for stationary use and, although they are probably not the best suited place to set your cup of coffee on, they can be big enough that they can easily collect stacked clutter on their flat surface areas.
Despite having adopted the old ham radio terminology of "boat anchor" as a nickname due to their larger size and heft, many modern tabletop shortwave receivers offer all kinds of additional functions and features as well as improved ergonomics when compared to more compact radios.
The size of a shortwave radio can affect its functionality due to the omission or inclusion of basic characteristics such as the presence of a built in antenna, external antenna connectibility, or features including frequency coverage.
Although there may be a few exceptions, larger tabletop shortwave radios do not typically have built in antennas and are intended for use in environments where listeners have the space required to install a longwire or dipole antenna of some sort or another.
Active antennas do make it possible for sophisticated tabletop sets to be utilized in smaller settings and provide an alternative space saving solution but in some cases they can be costly and might not be considered ideal.
Many smaller shortwave radios do not have connectors which permit them to be readily interfaced with external antennas requiring plug in type jacks. However, many have used the argument that giving up a few options in a small receiver is a small sacrifice for being able to carry broadcast voices from around the world in the palm of your hand.
5. New or used?:
Lets face it, who wouldn't like to buy a new shortwave radio set if given the choice? However, as the current economic climate might be trying to teach some of us, sometimes being frugal and bargain hunting can serve to lead to an improved quality of life.
Even so, from time to time seeking deals that are too good too be true can result in unnecessary hassles when poor quality or irreparable faulty radios are passed on. Some people collect radios as if they were baseball cards. Occasionally extreme radiophiles and avid collectors give in to pleas from family members to make space around the house and cash in on their excesses.
Eventually we all pass away and if relatives have no use for the equipment we have collected it ends up in an estate sale. Many avid radio collectors and hobbyist shortwave listeners simply like to wheel and deal. There are plenty of places to find used shortwave radios including internet forums, auctions, established shortwave radio dealers and swap meets such as hamfests.
Hobbies can get as expensive as we let them. Shortwave radio listening is not as popular in the United States as it is in many other parts of the world. In all honesty, at times the prices of shortwave receiver sets in the United States can seem a little steep for what you are actually buying. This might be due at least in part to the fact that a good portion of amateur and shortwave radio dealers in the United States tend to rely on government purchases for revenue.
Even so, choosing a good shortwave receiver to be your primary workhorse needn't break the bank. Although there is no shortage of expensive radio gear, there are currently a few quality portable shortwave radios available to residents of the United States for affordable prices.
Fortunately, at this point in history people living inside the United States are not required to pay a receiver set license fee for shortwave radios as citizens residing elsewhere such as Europe might have to in order to fund public broadcasting. Today the prices of new shortwave radios in the United States range anywhere from around $40 or so for compact handheld receivers to upwards of several thousand dollars for advanced monitoring devices.
Finding the right shortwave receiver for your needs and budget first requires defining what you hope to be able to hear with your radio and how much that you are willing or able to spend.
Prices of medium sized portable shortwave radios at present in the United States range anywhere from just over $100 to around $500. Many of these middle of the road shortwave receivers tend to offer a good variety of features and functionality along with a price tag that is bearable for most who are serious about putting their radios to work.
Something to consider when budgeting for a shortwave radio is that, while additional equipment is not necessarily a requirement for one to be able to log shortwave broadcasts, having a decent external antenna can make all of the difference in the world for reception. Crafting homebrewed antennas is part of the fun for shortwave radio hobbyists.
Provided that you are willing to use your head and do a little soldering yourself, the price of such projects can be determined by the cost of materials or plans. Commercially available antennas come in many different forms and configurations. For less than $100 in today's prices a tuned dipole or compact active antenna can be attained.
2. Quality:
There are many different shortwave receivers on the market. Not all of them were built to last and, in some extreme cases, even work properly right off the shelf. Avoiding being stuck with a lemon by making the effort to do some homework before making a purchase can greatly increase your chances of finding shortwave radio listening to be a rewarding hobby from the start. As most salespeople would agree, it is generally accepted that you get what you pay for.
This is quite often the case but is not always true. The quality of a shortwave radio is ultimately dependent on the manufacturer and it stands to reason that there are many business models in existence that attempt to produce maximum financial gain from minimum input.
Talking to other shortwave hobbyists or doing some detective work on your own are good ways to learn about the pros and cons of different shortwave radio models, their reliability, as well as personal experiences with shortwave equipment dealers.
Participating in radio related internet forum discussions or going to radio club meetings can be a way to educate yourself. Reviews can be a helpful way to become familiar with many of the available features of various shortwave radio models as well as the quirks or undesirable aspects of particular radio sets. However, it is important to understand that some reviewers might give an opinion regarding a product which is biased because of their own interest in somehow making a profit from your purchase.
Therefore, taking in more than one or two reviews as well as talking to more experienced shortwave hobbyists is highly recommended as a means to gauge the quality of a particular shortwave radio set, manufacturer or distributor.
3. Functionality:
Aside from the ability for a particular radio to connect to and utilize various different external antennas, perhaps the most important defining aspect of a shortwave radio's capacity is limited by the frequencies which it can receive. When selecting a shortwave radio it is a good idea to make sure that it is capable of receiving in the different modes where transmissions that you would like to monitor occur.
The term "shortwave" has a broad scope and is generally used to refer to high frequency (HF) communications consisting of multiple "bands", or portions of the radio spectrum. Most commercially available shortwave radios provide access to the frequencies where large commercial shortwave stations transmit public broadcasts.
However, some radio monitoring hobbyists like to log aircraft, marine activity, or utilities such as beacons and may require special receivers which include frequency coverage which permits doing so. It is important to note that the definition of shortwave bands can vary and not all shortwave receivers cover the entire HF radio spectrum.
Some shortwave radios include coverage of bands where ham radio transmissions occur and many receivers include air traffic bands which are considered to be very high frequency (VHF). Due to the popularity of medium wave (MW) AM and FM radio stations, access to the commonly used bands may be included in the coverage of shortwave receivers.
Most of the real optional bells and whistles incorporated into modern shortwave radios are aimed at tuning methods. A lot of the specialized options related to shortwave tuning deal with being able to pull out or eliminate specific signals.
Display may feature a light or offer a utilitarian menu which enables access to the radio's features.It is not vital to understand the ins and outs all of the additional features available in shortwave radios to find a basic set which is suitable the needs of most beginner hobbyists.
By first gaining an understanding what you would like to listen to and then making sure that you will not be limited by your choice of equipment you should be able to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase.
4. Size:
Commonly available shortwave radios for personal use come in sizes ranging from pocket or handheld models to tabletop sets. Handheld shortwave radios can be as small as the size of a wallet which enables portability with ease.
Depending on the model, pocket sided to medium sized shortwave receivers are for the most part very well suited for use in a wide range of places. Medium sized shortwave radios can be taken along when traveling as they are easy to pack in luggage and the built in antennas are often sufficient for acceptable reception of transmissions by large international and domestic broadcasters.
Medium sized receivers also make for good side table companions in bedrooms and many of them even tend to come with built in alarm clock features.
Larger tabletop shortwave radio sets are typically for stationary use and, although they are probably not the best suited place to set your cup of coffee on, they can be big enough that they can easily collect stacked clutter on their flat surface areas.
Despite having adopted the old ham radio terminology of "boat anchor" as a nickname due to their larger size and heft, many modern tabletop shortwave receivers offer all kinds of additional functions and features as well as improved ergonomics when compared to more compact radios.
The size of a shortwave radio can affect its functionality due to the omission or inclusion of basic characteristics such as the presence of a built in antenna, external antenna connectibility, or features including frequency coverage.
Although there may be a few exceptions, larger tabletop shortwave radios do not typically have built in antennas and are intended for use in environments where listeners have the space required to install a longwire or dipole antenna of some sort or another.
Active antennas do make it possible for sophisticated tabletop sets to be utilized in smaller settings and provide an alternative space saving solution but in some cases they can be costly and might not be considered ideal.
Many smaller shortwave radios do not have connectors which permit them to be readily interfaced with external antennas requiring plug in type jacks. However, many have used the argument that giving up a few options in a small receiver is a small sacrifice for being able to carry broadcast voices from around the world in the palm of your hand.
5. New or used?:
Lets face it, who wouldn't like to buy a new shortwave radio set if given the choice? However, as the current economic climate might be trying to teach some of us, sometimes being frugal and bargain hunting can serve to lead to an improved quality of life.
Even so, from time to time seeking deals that are too good too be true can result in unnecessary hassles when poor quality or irreparable faulty radios are passed on. Some people collect radios as if they were baseball cards. Occasionally extreme radiophiles and avid collectors give in to pleas from family members to make space around the house and cash in on their excesses.
Eventually we all pass away and if relatives have no use for the equipment we have collected it ends up in an estate sale. Many avid radio collectors and hobbyist shortwave listeners simply like to wheel and deal. There are plenty of places to find used shortwave radios including internet forums, auctions, established shortwave radio dealers and swap meets such as hamfests.
Old Radio Comedy Classics
Old Time Radio Comedy ran the spectrum from the early situation comedy of Jack Benny to the country style humor of Lum and Abner and everywhere in between.
America has a lasting love affair with comedy radio and those lovable personalities that made everyone burst out laughing.
Our Miss Brooks, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Life of Riley, Duffy's Tavern, Dean martin and Jerry Lewis, My Friend Irma, My Favorite Husband with Lucille Ball, Ozzie and Harriet, Abbott and Costello, The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Minnie Pearl, Mae West, Amos and Andy, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Father Knows Best,
The Bickersons, The Aldrich Family, Bringing Up Father, Moon Mullins, Mel Blanc, Henry Morgan, Jean Shepherd, Stan Freberg and the list goes on and on!
Plus that's just the American Shows. Old Time Radio and thus Old Time Radio Comedy was a worldwide phenomena. With magnificent radio shows originating from England, Europe, Africa, Australia and elsewhere.
So, where to tap in to all of this wealth? The giant Old Time Radio archives to be found at such great OTR websites as Bookzap and Radio Treasury contain more comedy routines, shows and entertainment than most could listen to in a lifetime!
These two great sites have it all and with crystalline clear sound quality. Below are just a few of the most memorable and wqell loved old time radio show collections that you can acquire on Bookzap or Radio Treasury. Below at the end of this article you can find the link to these two exemplary websites.
Jack Benny, among the most beloved American entertainers of the 20th century, was know by many as the "King of Comedy". Jack Benny was an extraordinarily sweet comedian who could crwack you up wjust by looking at you!
Our Miss Brooks was a big comedy hit on radio from the beginning. Within just months of its debute the show landed several honors. It depicted a woman comic in a new way which was niether clutzy or scatterbrained.
Fibber McGee and Molly were arguable the most loveable couple on odl time radio. The Humor was so funny and the characters so familiar and memorable that this series ran in one form or another for about full two decades.
The Life of Riley,
The Life of Riley was an early version of a typical American situation comedy, it was co-developed by Gummo the non-performing member of the Marx Brother family. The Life of Riley appeared on both radio and television in the 1940s and 1950s.
It helped to introduce "nuclear family" concept to American broadcasting. THE LIFE OF RILEY was an early version of the "dumb husband" type of comedy, which is a formula often repeated still in TV sitcoms.
Duffy's Tavern
Duffy's Tavern was heard on the radio from 1940 to 1952 and was widely loved from the beginning by both critics and the working-class.
Though DUFFY'S TAVERN made the transition to television in 1954, it only lasted for one season. Duffy's Tavern ran for years on radio but didn't translate as well to film or television.
An American radio situation comedy which aired on both CBS and NBC, Duffy's Tavern often featured famous stage and film guest stars. But the show almost always centered around the misadventures, schemes, and romantic missteps of the title establishment's manager, Archie, played by Ed Gardner.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were a little-known vaudeville team when they made their screen debuts in a movie adaptation of the 1940s radio show MY FRIEND IRMA (1949). They became the biggest comedy team of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
They were especially a popular team in the 1950s, making many movies, television appearnces, and several comedy radio performances together.
My Friend Irma
My Friend Irma, created by writer-director-producer Cy Howard, was a top rated, long-running radio situation comedy. It was so popular in the late 1940s that its success escalated to films and television.
My Friend Irma, played by Marie Wilson, tells the tales of a very dim-witted blonde secretary named Irma Peterson, and the daily high-jinx that she gets into with her various screwy friends.
My Favorite Husband with Lucille Ball
My Favorite Husband was Lucille Ball's very popular late 1940s radio program which preceded her famous Lucy Ricardo character of I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball was one of radio and television's foremost pioneers, and many believe, the pre-eminent woman in the history of American comedy.
Ozzie and Harriet
Before they got their own radio show (1944), Ozzie and Harriet were regulars on Red Skelton's radio show. However, When Skelton was drafted into the military in 1944, Ozzie and Harriet were offered the vacated time slot. So they filled it with The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
The children of Ozzie and Harriet were originally played by actors. But were soon the actors were replaced by their own two sons, David and Ricky Nelson.
An early portrayal of the conventional American nuclear family, with Dad bringing home the bacon and Mom cooking it for him and the kids, Ozzie and Harriet was a very popular and entertaining show for many years on radio during the 40's and later TV during the 50's.
Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello were among the most successful comics at making the transition from burlesque to radio and film. A quintessential American comedy duo, Abbott and Costello's work in radio, film, and television made them one of the most popular comedy teams in history.
Not known for droll or witty humor, they were outright comics relying more on verbal than physical humor.
The Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were masters of slapstick and double entendre comedy which enabled them to get past the censors of their time. Somewhat less well know is the fact that they were also gifted they were also musicians.
The Marx brothers were American radio, stage, and film stars who during the 1930's domiated comedy with their lunatic antics.
W.C. Fields,
Of comedy Fields once said, "The funniest thing about comedy is that you never know why people laugh.
After Vaudeville, W.C. Fields made many films during his career, but he also continued to perform on the radio. Fields could always deliver the clever phrase, and he delighted radio listeners with his long standing feud with Charley McCarthy.
Amos and Andy
Amos and Andy were simple down to earth characters for the purpose of comedy. They were black characters portrayed by white actors wearing blackface makeup.
Amos and Andy were a very popular comedy team on radio, but NAACP objections to the show occurred because it was considered to stereotype African Americans.
Bob Hope,
Bob Hope was a comedian from the latter days of vaudeville who achieved wonderful success in radio and television. He was definately a triple-threat superstar of radio, film and television during the 1940s and 1950s.
Bob Hope, was the king of the spontaneous one-liner, a beloved performer, and a great supporter of our men in uniform. Bob Hope was among the first performers to entertain the troops.
George Burns and Gracie Allen
Burns and Allen were a very popular American comedy duo consisting of George Burns and his wife, Gracie Allen.
Married for forty years, Burns and Allen first met on the vaudeville circuit in the 1920's. The were considered by many to be the finest husband/wife comedy team of all time.
Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best was first a radio series on NBC Radio. The show debuted in August of 1949. Four years later, the show moved to CBS television and was a popular TV series throughout the 1950's and early 60's.
It was a situational comedy in the setting of a typical Midwestern community. Father Knows Best's Andersons portrayed the ideal middle class American family.
America has a lasting love affair with comedy radio and those lovable personalities that made everyone burst out laughing.
Our Miss Brooks, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Life of Riley, Duffy's Tavern, Dean martin and Jerry Lewis, My Friend Irma, My Favorite Husband with Lucille Ball, Ozzie and Harriet, Abbott and Costello, The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Minnie Pearl, Mae West, Amos and Andy, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Father Knows Best,
The Bickersons, The Aldrich Family, Bringing Up Father, Moon Mullins, Mel Blanc, Henry Morgan, Jean Shepherd, Stan Freberg and the list goes on and on!
Plus that's just the American Shows. Old Time Radio and thus Old Time Radio Comedy was a worldwide phenomena. With magnificent radio shows originating from England, Europe, Africa, Australia and elsewhere.
So, where to tap in to all of this wealth? The giant Old Time Radio archives to be found at such great OTR websites as Bookzap and Radio Treasury contain more comedy routines, shows and entertainment than most could listen to in a lifetime!
These two great sites have it all and with crystalline clear sound quality. Below are just a few of the most memorable and wqell loved old time radio show collections that you can acquire on Bookzap or Radio Treasury. Below at the end of this article you can find the link to these two exemplary websites.
Jack Benny, among the most beloved American entertainers of the 20th century, was know by many as the "King of Comedy". Jack Benny was an extraordinarily sweet comedian who could crwack you up wjust by looking at you!
Our Miss Brooks was a big comedy hit on radio from the beginning. Within just months of its debute the show landed several honors. It depicted a woman comic in a new way which was niether clutzy or scatterbrained.
Fibber McGee and Molly were arguable the most loveable couple on odl time radio. The Humor was so funny and the characters so familiar and memorable that this series ran in one form or another for about full two decades.
The Life of Riley,
The Life of Riley was an early version of a typical American situation comedy, it was co-developed by Gummo the non-performing member of the Marx Brother family. The Life of Riley appeared on both radio and television in the 1940s and 1950s.
It helped to introduce "nuclear family" concept to American broadcasting. THE LIFE OF RILEY was an early version of the "dumb husband" type of comedy, which is a formula often repeated still in TV sitcoms.
Duffy's Tavern
Duffy's Tavern was heard on the radio from 1940 to 1952 and was widely loved from the beginning by both critics and the working-class.
Though DUFFY'S TAVERN made the transition to television in 1954, it only lasted for one season. Duffy's Tavern ran for years on radio but didn't translate as well to film or television.
An American radio situation comedy which aired on both CBS and NBC, Duffy's Tavern often featured famous stage and film guest stars. But the show almost always centered around the misadventures, schemes, and romantic missteps of the title establishment's manager, Archie, played by Ed Gardner.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were a little-known vaudeville team when they made their screen debuts in a movie adaptation of the 1940s radio show MY FRIEND IRMA (1949). They became the biggest comedy team of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
They were especially a popular team in the 1950s, making many movies, television appearnces, and several comedy radio performances together.
My Friend Irma
My Friend Irma, created by writer-director-producer Cy Howard, was a top rated, long-running radio situation comedy. It was so popular in the late 1940s that its success escalated to films and television.
My Friend Irma, played by Marie Wilson, tells the tales of a very dim-witted blonde secretary named Irma Peterson, and the daily high-jinx that she gets into with her various screwy friends.
My Favorite Husband with Lucille Ball
My Favorite Husband was Lucille Ball's very popular late 1940s radio program which preceded her famous Lucy Ricardo character of I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball was one of radio and television's foremost pioneers, and many believe, the pre-eminent woman in the history of American comedy.
Ozzie and Harriet
Before they got their own radio show (1944), Ozzie and Harriet were regulars on Red Skelton's radio show. However, When Skelton was drafted into the military in 1944, Ozzie and Harriet were offered the vacated time slot. So they filled it with The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
The children of Ozzie and Harriet were originally played by actors. But were soon the actors were replaced by their own two sons, David and Ricky Nelson.
An early portrayal of the conventional American nuclear family, with Dad bringing home the bacon and Mom cooking it for him and the kids, Ozzie and Harriet was a very popular and entertaining show for many years on radio during the 40's and later TV during the 50's.
Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello were among the most successful comics at making the transition from burlesque to radio and film. A quintessential American comedy duo, Abbott and Costello's work in radio, film, and television made them one of the most popular comedy teams in history.
Not known for droll or witty humor, they were outright comics relying more on verbal than physical humor.
The Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were masters of slapstick and double entendre comedy which enabled them to get past the censors of their time. Somewhat less well know is the fact that they were also gifted they were also musicians.
The Marx brothers were American radio, stage, and film stars who during the 1930's domiated comedy with their lunatic antics.
W.C. Fields,
Of comedy Fields once said, "The funniest thing about comedy is that you never know why people laugh.
After Vaudeville, W.C. Fields made many films during his career, but he also continued to perform on the radio. Fields could always deliver the clever phrase, and he delighted radio listeners with his long standing feud with Charley McCarthy.
Amos and Andy
Amos and Andy were simple down to earth characters for the purpose of comedy. They were black characters portrayed by white actors wearing blackface makeup.
Amos and Andy were a very popular comedy team on radio, but NAACP objections to the show occurred because it was considered to stereotype African Americans.
Bob Hope,
Bob Hope was a comedian from the latter days of vaudeville who achieved wonderful success in radio and television. He was definately a triple-threat superstar of radio, film and television during the 1940s and 1950s.
Bob Hope, was the king of the spontaneous one-liner, a beloved performer, and a great supporter of our men in uniform. Bob Hope was among the first performers to entertain the troops.
George Burns and Gracie Allen
Burns and Allen were a very popular American comedy duo consisting of George Burns and his wife, Gracie Allen.
Married for forty years, Burns and Allen first met on the vaudeville circuit in the 1920's. The were considered by many to be the finest husband/wife comedy team of all time.
Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best was first a radio series on NBC Radio. The show debuted in August of 1949. Four years later, the show moved to CBS television and was a popular TV series throughout the 1950's and early 60's.
It was a situational comedy in the setting of a typical Midwestern community. Father Knows Best's Andersons portrayed the ideal middle class American family.
Satellite Digital Audio Radio service(SDARS)
SDAR is a satellite-based direct-broadcast radio service in which
digitally encoded audio entertainment material is broadcast to
Earth-based receivers, either directly from an orbiting satellite, or from the satellite to
the receiver via a repeater station (This is a special case in which the receiver is in a
shielded location).
SDARS is a radio communication service through which audio
programming is digitally transmitted by one or more space stations directly to
fixed, mobile, and/or portable stations, and which may involve complementary
repeating terrestrial transmitters, telemetry, tracking and control facilities.
Through SDARS compact-disc quality audio is available because of digital transmition
is employed.
History of Satellite Radio:
Satellite radio is an idea over a decade long. In 1992, the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the
"S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based
Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS).
Only four companies applied for a
license to broadcast over that band. The FCC gave licenses
to two of these companies in 1997. CD Radio (now Sirius Satellite Radio) and
American Mobile Radio (now XM Satellite Radio) paid more than $80 million each
to use space in the S-band for digital satellite transmission. The first satellite based radio launched by XM on Sep 25, 2001, then followed by Sirius on July 1, 2002.
At this time, there are three space-based radio broadcasters:
Sirius Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
WorldSpace Satellite Radio
Importance and significance of Satellite radio:
We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car
radios, flipping between them as we drive to and from work, on errands
and around town. But when you travel too far away from the source station, the
signal breaks up and fades into static.
Most radio signals can only travel about 30
or 40 miles from their source. On long trips that find you passing through
different cities, you might have to change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in
and out.
Now, imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) away and then come through on your car radio with complete clarity. One could drive
nearly hundreds of kilometers without ever having to change the radio station! Not
only would you never hear static interfering with your favorite tunes, but also the
music would be interrupted by few or no commercials.
Satellite radio companies are comparing
the significance of their service to the impact that cable TV had on
television 30 years ago. Listeners won't be able to pick up local stations using
satellite radio services, but they will have access to hundreds of stations offering a
variety of music genres. Each company has a different plan for its broadcasting
system, but the systems do share similarities.
XM Satellite Radio, Sirius Satellite
Radio and WorldSpace satellite individually provides digital-audio
radio services (SDARS), with commercial-free programming, digital-audio quality, and
countrywide coverage.
Each company offers nearly 100 channels of digital music and
talk radio (many of them commercial-free or with a reduced number of commercials)
that can be received from coast to coast with no service interruption. Each
offering number of music channels, these services clearly provides programming options
not available through traditional radio.
One of the main feature of SDARS is SDARS provides almost Commercial free (or Commercials are restricted) programs. And also it provides news, weather forecasts, and sports apart from
entertainment-based programs The primary application for this service is constant coast-to-coast coverage of radio for cars. We have all experienced the problem of trying to listen to radio on a long trip. Both AM and FM stations fade in and out as we drive into and out of their coverage
area. Portable full satellite radio service available now a days for
the car, home stereo and personal radio environments. Car manufacturers have been installing satellite radio receivers in some models for a few years now, and
several models of portable satellite radio receivers are available from a variety of
electronics companies.
Signal reception is generally poor as well as variable in the cases of AM or FM. With the SDARS systems, radio coverage throughout the 48 continental states is solid and continuous. Unlike
for AM and FM channels SDARS signals are available in a unique format
Subscription based radio service:
Because the technology requires access to a commercial satellite for
signal propagation; Satellite Radio services are commercial business
entities (not private parties), which offer a package of channels as part of their service
--requiring a subscription from end users to access its channels. Satellite
Radio Service can be subscribed at a monthly fee of $12.95 U.S. and up which
is very much worth full to the service that it gives.
Future of Satellite radio:
SDARS seems to get good market growth because of the following factors. Increasing
partnerships of XM and Sirius with Automobile OEM and distribution outlets made the
SDARS more popular. Introduction of more convenient hardware smaller and more
portable radios for the automobile as well as the home stereo,
computer and office and personal environments made possible at the
same time.
digitally encoded audio entertainment material is broadcast to
Earth-based receivers, either directly from an orbiting satellite, or from the satellite to
the receiver via a repeater station (This is a special case in which the receiver is in a
shielded location).
SDARS is a radio communication service through which audio
programming is digitally transmitted by one or more space stations directly to
fixed, mobile, and/or portable stations, and which may involve complementary
repeating terrestrial transmitters, telemetry, tracking and control facilities.
Through SDARS compact-disc quality audio is available because of digital transmition
is employed.
History of Satellite Radio:
Satellite radio is an idea over a decade long. In 1992, the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the
"S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based
Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS).
Only four companies applied for a
license to broadcast over that band. The FCC gave licenses
to two of these companies in 1997. CD Radio (now Sirius Satellite Radio) and
American Mobile Radio (now XM Satellite Radio) paid more than $80 million each
to use space in the S-band for digital satellite transmission. The first satellite based radio launched by XM on Sep 25, 2001, then followed by Sirius on July 1, 2002.
At this time, there are three space-based radio broadcasters:
Sirius Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
WorldSpace Satellite Radio
Importance and significance of Satellite radio:
We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car
radios, flipping between them as we drive to and from work, on errands
and around town. But when you travel too far away from the source station, the
signal breaks up and fades into static.
Most radio signals can only travel about 30
or 40 miles from their source. On long trips that find you passing through
different cities, you might have to change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in
and out.
Now, imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) away and then come through on your car radio with complete clarity. One could drive
nearly hundreds of kilometers without ever having to change the radio station! Not
only would you never hear static interfering with your favorite tunes, but also the
music would be interrupted by few or no commercials.
Satellite radio companies are comparing
the significance of their service to the impact that cable TV had on
television 30 years ago. Listeners won't be able to pick up local stations using
satellite radio services, but they will have access to hundreds of stations offering a
variety of music genres. Each company has a different plan for its broadcasting
system, but the systems do share similarities.
XM Satellite Radio, Sirius Satellite
Radio and WorldSpace satellite individually provides digital-audio
radio services (SDARS), with commercial-free programming, digital-audio quality, and
countrywide coverage.
Each company offers nearly 100 channels of digital music and
talk radio (many of them commercial-free or with a reduced number of commercials)
that can be received from coast to coast with no service interruption. Each
offering number of music channels, these services clearly provides programming options
not available through traditional radio.
One of the main feature of SDARS is SDARS provides almost Commercial free (or Commercials are restricted) programs. And also it provides news, weather forecasts, and sports apart from
entertainment-based programs The primary application for this service is constant coast-to-coast coverage of radio for cars. We have all experienced the problem of trying to listen to radio on a long trip. Both AM and FM stations fade in and out as we drive into and out of their coverage
area. Portable full satellite radio service available now a days for
the car, home stereo and personal radio environments. Car manufacturers have been installing satellite radio receivers in some models for a few years now, and
several models of portable satellite radio receivers are available from a variety of
electronics companies.
Signal reception is generally poor as well as variable in the cases of AM or FM. With the SDARS systems, radio coverage throughout the 48 continental states is solid and continuous. Unlike
for AM and FM channels SDARS signals are available in a unique format
Subscription based radio service:
Because the technology requires access to a commercial satellite for
signal propagation; Satellite Radio services are commercial business
entities (not private parties), which offer a package of channels as part of their service
--requiring a subscription from end users to access its channels. Satellite
Radio Service can be subscribed at a monthly fee of $12.95 U.S. and up which
is very much worth full to the service that it gives.
Future of Satellite radio:
SDARS seems to get good market growth because of the following factors. Increasing
partnerships of XM and Sirius with Automobile OEM and distribution outlets made the
SDARS more popular. Introduction of more convenient hardware smaller and more
portable radios for the automobile as well as the home stereo,
computer and office and personal environments made possible at the
same time.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Radio Advertising
Direct response radio advertising, at its core, works in the same way regardless of what type of business you are in. Whether you own a direct-to-consumer model business, a retail business, a web business, or some combination thereof, direct response radio advertising can help you grow. And grow profitably. The fundamentals of direct response radio, then, must start with a discussion of how radio advertising works within the context of a basic business model. The purpose of this article is to convey the fundamentals of direct response radio advertising that apply across businesses.
First, Two Important Concepts
Throw out all you think you know about advertising, radio advertising, and especially direct response advertising. It's best to begin with a clean slate, a blank whiteboard so-to-speak. There are two important concepts I want to introduce before moving forward.
Concept One: Radio as A Highway From Your Business to Your Potential Customers
Think of radio advertising as a 5,000 lane highway from your business to groups (station audiences) of your potential customers. The many lanes on this highway are the many different radio stations and radio networks that are available for you air your radio advertisement. It is on these "lanes" that you send your message to your customers.The lanes are clustered in such a way that they reach groups collections of customers who have similar tastes and demographic profiles. Therefore, some of these lanes lead to groups that have a high concentration of people who match your target customer profile. As a result, advertising on those lanes (stations) is more profitable than others with a lower concentration of your target customer profile. These groupings are the radio formats, which are used in radio advertising to enhance the efficiency of, or return on, advertising efforts. Concept Two: Radio Advertising is a Profit-Driver, Not a Cost Center
At this juncture, the one thing many business people can't seem to put out of their mind is the one of "how much does it cost" to advertise on radio. We've written extensively about this question because it is one of the most common that we get. The problem is that embedded in this question is the presupposition that radio advertising is a cost. The concept that one needs to fully grasp is that radio advertising is not a cost center. That is, it does not stand alone without any relation to revenue or profit. It is detrimental to think of direct response radio advertising as a cost because that leads to managing as though it's a cost, which means minimizing or eliminating it. Contrast this with managing it like it's an investment, and maximizing the return you realize on it.
Direct response radio advertising - by its very definition - is a profit-driver. If it's not driving a profit, it would not exist - or at the very least it would not be called direct response radio advertising but instead "brand" or "awareness" advertising. Profitability is a fundamental aspect of direct response radio advertising.
On To the Fundamentals
Now that we've cleared our minds and allowed for two basic concepts about how to think about radio advertising, let's move on to the meat of the fundamentals of direct response radio advertising.
First, Two Important Concepts
Throw out all you think you know about advertising, radio advertising, and especially direct response advertising. It's best to begin with a clean slate, a blank whiteboard so-to-speak. There are two important concepts I want to introduce before moving forward.
Concept One: Radio as A Highway From Your Business to Your Potential Customers
Think of radio advertising as a 5,000 lane highway from your business to groups (station audiences) of your potential customers. The many lanes on this highway are the many different radio stations and radio networks that are available for you air your radio advertisement. It is on these "lanes" that you send your message to your customers.The lanes are clustered in such a way that they reach groups collections of customers who have similar tastes and demographic profiles. Therefore, some of these lanes lead to groups that have a high concentration of people who match your target customer profile. As a result, advertising on those lanes (stations) is more profitable than others with a lower concentration of your target customer profile. These groupings are the radio formats, which are used in radio advertising to enhance the efficiency of, or return on, advertising efforts. Concept Two: Radio Advertising is a Profit-Driver, Not a Cost Center
At this juncture, the one thing many business people can't seem to put out of their mind is the one of "how much does it cost" to advertise on radio. We've written extensively about this question because it is one of the most common that we get. The problem is that embedded in this question is the presupposition that radio advertising is a cost. The concept that one needs to fully grasp is that radio advertising is not a cost center. That is, it does not stand alone without any relation to revenue or profit. It is detrimental to think of direct response radio advertising as a cost because that leads to managing as though it's a cost, which means minimizing or eliminating it. Contrast this with managing it like it's an investment, and maximizing the return you realize on it.
Direct response radio advertising - by its very definition - is a profit-driver. If it's not driving a profit, it would not exist - or at the very least it would not be called direct response radio advertising but instead "brand" or "awareness" advertising. Profitability is a fundamental aspect of direct response radio advertising.
On To the Fundamentals
Now that we've cleared our minds and allowed for two basic concepts about how to think about radio advertising, let's move on to the meat of the fundamentals of direct response radio advertising.
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