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Features Internet Radio

The popularity and benefits of internet radio

Brief history of internet radio

It was in the year 1994 on November 10 that the first live broadcast took place and this was by a space rock group known as Sky Cries Mary and done by Paul’s Allen’s. Soon after people start to know about this type of radio, it started to get immediate attention and in the year 1996, the first American internet radio station was started by Edward Lyman and was known as Sonicwave.com. This station was given the license to broadcast live and that too for 24 hours a day. With further technological advancement and with the rapid increase in the number of internet users, the quality of the streaming improved substantially, especially during the 2000’s.

What is an internet radio?

There are different names used when talking about internet radio such as web radio, net radio and streaming radio etc. This means that people can easily get to hear their favorite music and receive important news updates through streaming that is done on internet and this is basically known as webcasting. An important feature of this radio is that if the streaming media is used, people can get to listen to music without any pause. Also, this type of music cannot be replayed and thus a person can enjoy listening to the music which is played through internet radio without any hindrance.

Popularity of the internet radio

With the passage of time, the popularity of internet radio has increased and still continues to increase as the people using internet are also increasing at a rapid pace. This huge demand in the users of internet radio could be seen from the fact that in the year 2003, the revenue that was generated through it was around US $49 million, which increased to US $500 million after three years. Also, the number of people using internet radio in America alone increased from a total of 11% to 13% from 2007 to 2008. There is no age limit to the people who listen to the internet radio, as it is accessible to everyone, no matter on which area of the globe the person is located. This ease of use is also one factor that has caused its popularity to increase.

Examples of some famous internet radio stations

Some of the famous internet radio stations include Energy FM, Amazing Smooth and Jazz, Soulpower-Radio.com, 106 Coast FM Tenerife, Gold FM radio, Dubthugz Radio and various others. People can easily search for their favorite radio stations that are available on the internet in order to listen to the latest and best music hits that they wish to listen to. People can also search the stations according to the music that they wish to listen to. Some of the stations might focus upon specific types of genres where others might focus on other types. With so much variety and ease of accessibility, it is not a problem for the person to come across the internet radio station that he or she wants to listen to.

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Features Technology

Technologies used for a two way Radio

What is a two-way radio?

A two-way radio is a device that provides an opportunity for two people or parties to communicate with each other if they have the same radios with similar frequencies. It is different from other radios such as the broadcasting one because in a broadcasting radio, a person can only receive the content through this radio but is unable to transmit and data or information through it. The best example of a two way radio can be that of a walkie-talkie as a person can easily communicate with the other person by this hand held device if they are present at a distance from each other. Even though this has facilitated the level of communication in many ways but still there are some factors which might even hinder the performance of this radio and thus the person should be aware of them and the technology used so that they could understand more about it.

Analog vs. digital technology used in a two-way radio

Even though the type of technology used in a two way radio is still evolving but there were different types of technologies that had been used in it. For example, when comparing the analog vs. digital technology, it can be said that the analog technology facilitated communication with air traffic controllers and control towers, and as compared to digital technology; it is much simple in nature. Even when the signals are weak or cracking, this technology still increases the efficiency of communication. On the other hand, as only one communication can take place through it, it might create problems for people as well. Digital technology can allow various communications to take place simultaneously but they are costly and complicated in nature even though they are more effective than analog technology bases two way radios.

Simplex vs. Duplex two way radios

Simplex two-way radios only use a single channel to communicate whereas Duplex uses more than one channel. Even though the simplex radio facilitates effective communication and is simple to make use of, it can only be used to communicate over short distances. On the other hand, duplex two way radios can be used to allow communication to take place over large distances but they require a presence of a base station for the communication to take place otherwise it would not work.

Engineered vs. Not-engineered two way radios

Another technology used in the two way radios are engineered vs. not-engineered technology. The engineered two-way radios are the ones, which include the mobile system, and it is ensured that the system is able to match a specific standard so that communication could take place in an effective manner. Models are used to determine the extent to which the signals would flow successfully. On the other hand, the not-engineered two-way radios do not have any standard to meet and even though they are not designed in a professional manner, they may still be able to perform as effectively as any other two-way radio.

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Features

How to Choose a Two-way radio for your Business

Just as the name suggests, a two-way radio is a device that does not only allow them to receive the signals and information but also provides them with an opportunity to send information or data through this radio as well. It is different from the broadcast radio due to this particular feature because even though because even though a broadcast radio received information but it unable to transmit signals and information back. Hence, a person can have effective communication through the two-way radio until and unless this radio is similar to that being used by the other person or party. Moreover, the frequency needs to be the same too in order to convey the message successfully through the two-way radio. When these radios are hand-held in nature, they are then known as walkie-talkie and could be used for conveying important message immediately.

Features of two-way radios used by businesses

The most basic features of a business two-way radio is that it is relatively expensive as compared to the one being used by consumers. Even though the characteristics of both business and consumer radios are mostly similar to each other. The two-way business radios on the other hand are more durable in nature even though they are used frequently and include military specifications as well. The battery life of the two-way radio for business is slightly higher than that of the radio for consumers. The batteries are rechargeable in nature but as consumer radio is mostly used for special occasions, it has a battery life of around 8 hours whereas the average battery life of this business two-way radio is around 12 hours.

What are some of the famous types of businesses that may use the two-way radios?

Because a two-way radio can be very crucial in some businesses, it is important for the people to be aware of the fact that they should be careful in selecting one. In this way they can not only improve their performance but get better results in the long run as well. Some of the businesses that require two-way radios include retail stores, restaurants, airports, construction sites, mining and quarrying, agriculture, forestry and fishing, shopping mall security, hotel, casinos, resorts, medical and dental clinics or hospitals, college and universities, public safety agencies such as police department, fire department etc.

What are some of the main factors that people should look for when choosing the radio for their business?

There are four basic elements to consider in choosing the right radio for your job:

It is important for people to choose their business two-way radio by analyzing some important factors. The first one is the frequency that they want their radio to have i.e. whether they want VHF or UHF. VHF is much stronger than UHF as they travel long distance and are best for outdoor work because the signals cannot go through walls effectively. However, UHF is best when people need to communicate indoors. Similarly, the channel and power of the two-way radio for the business would also play a crucial role and thus people should take into account all these important factors before choosing the best radio for their business.

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Features

Buying a Two Way Radio

Importance of two-way radios

Two-way radios can be very helpful for people who wish to communicate effectively with each other by being at a distance from one another. Even though people can use mobile phones for this purpose as well but in some cases, there might not be sufficient signals to allow people to communicate in an effective manner and thus people would definitely benefit from a two-way radio in such cases. A two-way radio allows people not only to receive any content but also allows them to transmit their messages to the other person who has the radio. The only thing that people should take into consideration is that the two radios that the people are using to communicate with each other should be similar in nature and features and have same range of frequency as well. Otherwise, it would not be easy or possible to communicate easily and effectively.

What are the important features that people should consider when buying the two-way radio?

Several important features people should take into account when they want buy the two-way radio to use it in the most effective manner. Some of these features include the battery life of the radios because this is the most important factor that people mostly want to know about. Other features include the FRS or UHF of the radio, the size, display screen, range, lock feature, weather radio, call feature, privacy codes and channels that are included in the radio. Because some radios might not have all these features and even if they have them, they might differ from the other in terms of the range, quality and size. Thus, a person should select the one that they find to be most suitable to them.

How can the performance of the two-way radio be affected?

There are also some factors, which may positively or negatively affect the performance of the two-way radio and the communication that takes place through it. For example, when people might try to use the radio at hills, canyons and other areas where the topography is rugged in nature, it might hinder the communication as well. Similarly, bad weather and electromagnetic interference through lightening also affects communication through two-way radio in a negative manner and a good weather is a plus point for such communication. When a person might be present in dense areas such as a thick forest, there can be hindrances in communication and similarly, if communication takes place from within a vehicle instead of from an open area, the communication would not be effective.

What are the different types of two-way radios that people can buy?

When buying the two-way radio, a person should also be aware of the uses of these radios. For example, if they wish to use the radio in their business, they would require a business two-way radio. This will facilitate communication within a business premises. On the other hand, there are different types available as well such as FRS GMRS and Hybrid two-way radio. Thus, a person can go through their features and purchase them accordingly.