The Birth of Radio

1. The Birth of Radio Radio was invented at the end of the 19th Century by Guglielmo Marconi At first, it was used to send morse code without using wires. Later, speech and other sounds were carried using the new technology. In the 1920�s, Radio broadcasting was born. The principles of Radio Waves were already understood before Marconi. Others developed it at around the same timeThe principles of Radio Waves were already understood before Marconi. Others developed it at around the same time

2. Broadcasting Presenters and performers would assemble in a studio and make a live broadcast. Powerful transmitters sent out radio waves representing the sound. These radio signals could be picked up by anyone within range with the right receiving equipment. The same basic technology is still in operation today. Generally the range of radio is restricted by the curvature of the Earth to around 40 miles. Short wave radio travels much further, as it reflects off the Earth�s atmostphere.Generally the range of radio is restricted by the curvature of the Earth to around 40 miles. Short wave radio travels much further, as it reflects off the Earth�s atmostphere.

3. Other forms of Radio There are other forms of Radio, which operate over a narrower area than broadcast radio. Holiday camps such as Butlin�s had �Radio� which was played over loudspeakers across the camp. Hospitals often have their own radio stations which can be received by patients at their bedside. Can you think of any others ways that sound is used in this way? Museums have audio guides which are used to describe the exhibits. Shopping centres sometimes have recorded announcements detailing news, special offers etc. Museums have audio guides which are used to describe the exhibits. Shopping centres sometimes have recorded announcements detailing news, special offers etc.

4. Internet Radio In recent years, a new form of Radio broadcast over the Internet has arisen. It has the advantage that you can pick up stations from anywhere in the world. The expensive transmission equipment necessary to make normal radio broadcasts is not required, so virtually anyone can start an Internet radio station.

5. Podcasting Podcasting is a variation of Internet radio. Instead of listening to a radio show whilst sitting in front of your PC, you can download an MP3 file of the show, and listen to it later on your MP3 player. Although it takes its name from the iPod, any MP3 player can receive podcasts. Podcasting is the cataloguing of audio on the Internet which can be subscribed to using special Podcasting applications that run on PCs or Macs. These apps synchronise subscribed content onto the user�s machine, and ultimately on the user�s MP3 player.Podcasting is the cataloguing of audio on the Internet which can be subscribed to using special Podcasting applications that run on PCs or Macs. These apps synchronise subscribed content onto the user�s machine, and ultimately on the user�s MP3 player.

6. What we�re doing Over the next few lessons we will learn how to create our own audio content. We will use a program called Audacity to record and edit the content.

7. Activity 1 Find 3 radio stations on the Internet that have broadcast counterparts: E.g. Capital Radio London, BBC Radio 4, Virgin Radio Find 3 radio stations on the Internet from outside the UK

8. Activity 2 Load �Pupil Resource 1.wav� into Audacity There are a number of mistakes in the recording. Edit out all the mistakes If you need help, read �Audacity Basics.doc� Extension: If you have corrected all the errors, see if you can make the recording exactly 1 minute long.

9. Plenary New technology has changed the way radio is created and listened to. You can listen to programs from anywhere in the world broadcast on the Internet. You don�t have to sit in front of a PC to listen to Internet radio: programs can be downloaded to an MP3 player and listened to later.