One requires two set of equipments to start a radio station.
1. Transmission Equipments
2. Studio Equipments
While the list could be endless, here I will brief you about the list of equipments that will make a radio station up and going on a shoe string budget. (some thing that even suits typical college radio stations as well with a moderate transmission radius to cover aprooximately one city)
To keep it sweet and simple, I will just give you the names of the equipments and their key functions here. Other factors would be discussed in a separate post.
Here is the list -
1. Transmission Equipments
|
Name of the equipment |
Brief function |
|
Transmitter |
Takes your broadcast message from your studio room, encodes it as sine waves and transmits it as radio waves. |
|
Receiver |
The receiver receives the broadcast message and decodes the radio sine waves (simply put, a radio set). |
|
Antenna |
For sending radio signals. Required one each for transmission and receiving of radio waves. |
|
Transmission lines |
Used to transfer radio signals from one location to another. (say from the studio to the location of transmitter) |
|
Audio Processor |
Used to improve and optimize the quality of sound to be broadcast. These days this function is undertaken by inexpensive software programs. |
|
Connectors |
For connecting various equipments to each other. |
|
Interface panel remote control |
Interface panel is used to input broadcast data into transmitter (Basically an interface between studio and transmission site). Remote control is required to be able to feed those data from far off (say from your studio) |
|
Cable |
For connecting equipments located at a distance from each other. |
|
Equipment Rack |
For holding all equipments in a stable, secure and logical manner. |
|
Power Protection equipments |
To supply power and protect the equipments from unwanted power fluctuations. |
|
UPS |
For uninterrupted power supply. |
2. Production & Studio equipments
|
Name of the equipment |
Brief function |
|
Microphone. |
For converting the sound waves into electrical energy. |
|
Silent Microphone boom arms. |
For holding and moving the microphone across. |
|
CD players |
Playing the music |
|
Mixer |
Allows the jockey to control various aspects of radio broadcast |
|
Amplifiers |
Low power signals to high power signals |
|
Monitor Speakers. |
To monitor the quality of broadcast |
|
Speaker Mounts |
To hold speakers |
|
Computer automation software. |
They are used for wide variety of purposes and have replaced several functions previously managed by costly equipments |
|
Rack Mount |
Holds all the equipments |
|
Power Protection Units |
To supply power and protect the equipments from unwanted power fluctuations. |
Conclusion -
This is just an indicative list of equipments but it covers most of the things you will require to build a radio station.
Its now time you start taking quotes for each of these equipments from several vendors.
|
Name of the equipment |
Brief function |
|
Transmitter |
|
|
Receiver |
|
|
Antenna |
|
|
Transmission lines |
|
|
Audio Processor |
|
|
Connectors. @ 350ft |
|
|
Interface panel remote control |
|
|
Cable (@350ft.) |
|
|
Equipment Rack |
|
|
Power Protection equipments |
|
How-do-you-do, just wanted you to know I have added your site to my Google bookmarks because of your extraordinary content. But in earnest, I think you have been quite open in letting out all these info in such crisp and clear terms.It really helps new comers like me who are trying to set up their radio stations by making the task a lot simpler.
Thanks for the compliment bbd. I hope readers find the content to be equally fresh and useful
Thanks for sharing,You have really removed the cobwebs from this seemingly complex topic. Very informative and good points made.I am a D.J and we are a group of jockeys planning to set up our own radio station. Will come back soon.
I like the layout of your blog and I’m going to do the same thing for mine. Do you have any tips? Please PM ME on yahoo @ AmandaLovesYou702
This is good stuff for college radio station. I trust you would not have reservations if I placed a part of this site on my univeristy blog?
Hi! This is my first comment on your blog even though I am a regular reader. Got some good info here. I am setting up a radio station here in Barbadoss and am using your step-by-step book as my guide. Wanted more information about equipment vendors for Barbadoss. Any info about it?
Extremely interesting post thank you for writing it I have added your blog to my favorites and will check back.
I WISH TO BUY YOUR BOOK, BUT MOST OF THE PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE NOT IN NIGERIA. WHICH IS THE WAY OUT. MORESO, MAY I COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR PROFICIENCY IN HANDLING THIS TRAINING
I agree that the information to anyone interested in starting a viable radio station is of the highest quality.I am hoping to start in South Africa in a remote area and am worried about reception and transmission.
Many thanks,
Gary
Hi Familypsalms
I bought the eBook “A Step by step guide to start a radio station” today.
I did not however receive any download link. I was expecting a email after the purchase. I have also send a mail at your contact address.
We are planning to set up a community radio station on a moderate budget and really look forward to reading the step by step guide.
Thanks a lot.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in our community. Your post provided us with valuable information to work on|.You have done a marvellous job!
I just want to commend you, you have done a good job. I am a youth practitioner, young people are very ambitious they put their trust on us. The fact that we do not have information is demoralizing them, thank to you I will now be able to advice them in this regard
This is an amazing thing you guys are doing,I’ve been ambitious in running my owm radio statioun and you’ve opened up ways for me.Thank you.
I am intending to start a radio station in Lesotho and I have no clue as to what kind of equipment is needed.Lesotho is very mountainous so the terrain is very unfavourable. Probably you can advise on funding posibilities.
I’ll visit once more for an additional different useful topic..
Do you have any stations for sale?
I have been thinking about setting up a radio station for years only to come across this. Thanks friends, should there be any more information, please drop it in as it is always a challenge to set up stuff especially of technological nature here in Africa.
Please email me of any updates or information I must know.
once again thanks.
BILL