5 Steps to Enjoying OTR Anywhere in the House, Pt. 1

Originally published in the February, 2009, Old Radio Times.(http://www.otrr.org/pg07_times.htm)

5 Steps to Enjoying Your Audio Anywhere in Your House
Ned Norris

Imagine ...

You're lying on your favorite sun lounger in your garden.
There isn't a cloud in the sky.
You can feel the sun's rays on your skin and there is a gentle breeze blowing through your hair.
There is a wooden table to your right. On the table is a tall glass. Inside the glass is your favorite ice-cool drink.Next to the glass is a radio. From the radio you can hear your favorite music, old time radio shows, audiobooks, or whatever it is that tickles your fancy. When whatever you are listening to finishes another one of your favorites will start without you ever having to move a muscle.
Life is good!

Okay, you can stop imagining now and get back down to reality. The reason for me wanting you to imagine that scenario is I wanted you to feel just how good it is having a little gadget called an FM transmitter. Some of you reading this will know what I'm talking about, but for those who don't let me explain.

An FM transmitter is a rather clever gadget that allows you to transmit sound directly from your computer to any radio in your house. It's completely wireless and works just like a normal radio station, but on a much smaller scale.

Here's what happens. It's really easy.

Step 1 - You plug the device into your sound card.
Step 2 - You select a frequency on the device that you want to broadcast at. For example you might select 92.5 FM.
Step 3 - You pick a radio show you'd like to listen to and start it playing on your computer.
Step 4 - You go to any FM radio in your house and tune it in to 92.5 FM.
Step 5 - You sit down and enjoy

The radio needs to be within a certain range, which will vary between 50 feet and 300 feet depending on the strength of the FM transmitter you are using and the number of walls and other obstructions the signal need to pass through to get to you.

Ned Norris is the webmaster of www.rusc.com.