Conference hips::uk_audioo

    
    If you only want longwave for Radio 4, then don't bother, as Radio 4 is
    also on FM. I think it is worth buying an FM only tuner, and just using
    a tranny for those things that are on MW only (in my case, "Test Match
    Special" on Radio 3 MW, and the BBC World Service). 
                                                       
    Trevor

re .1

>    If you only want longwave for Radio 4, then don't bother, as Radio 4 is
>    also on FM. I think it is worth buying an FM only tuner, and just using

This is OK if you don't mind missing your favourite programme & listening to 
schools broadcasts every morning during term time. You *need* LW in order to 
listen to *all* the output of Radio 4.

Nigel

    This is true at the moment but the government does not care for
    this situation and I understand that plans are well advanced to
    change it.
    
    (I believe that getting Radio 1 onto FM (as is currently
    happening) thus removing the need for Radio 2 to split at various
    times of day is the first step of this plan.)
       
    cheers
    alf

    re .0.....
    
    It may sound obvious, but you'll need to confirm that what you buy
    is convertible between 230v and 110v, and 50Hz and 60Hz respectively.
    Not everything that's sold here is dual-standard powerwise, but
    those that are are usually user-changeable via a switch of some
    sort. The problem area will be the turntable, as this the only item
    in your list which is supply frequency dependent; most use a different
    size drive pulley for 50 and 60 Hz. If you go for a budget oriental
    turntable it will be more economical to junk it and buy new when
    you return stateside; if you want something you can value that will
    serve you for a long time, buy something like a Rega 2 here, then
    have it converted to 60Hz when you get home - Rega have an extensive
    US dealer network and their products are highly regarded in the
    US. It'll cost you more than a budget table, it's only 2 speed and
    has no auto facilities at all, but is probably the most economic
    solution; it'll make your vinyl sound good, too.
    
    Dave

    Also be aware of things like the tuner being able to access all
    wavelengths, some only pick up on odd, e.g. 93.5.

    Thanks for the advice.  I checked at an audio store yesterday, and
    the salesman couldn't think of a single component available with
    a 120/240 switch.  If my existing CD player, tape deck, and receiver
    are insensitive to line frequency (as seems likely), then the turntable
    is the only problem, and I should buy a new one anyway.  So that's
    set.
    
    Now I'm left wondering about this Radio 1/2/4 stuff, which seems
    more complex than I'd suspected.  Can someone give me a quick
    explanation of the different channels?

    
    
   >> Thanks for the advice.  I checked at an audio store yesterday, and
   >> the salesman couldn't think of a single component available with
   >> a 120/240 switch.  If my existing CD player, tape deck, and receiver
   >> are insensitive to line frequency (as seems likely), 
    
    Your tapedeck MIGHT be line-frequency dependent (if we're talking
    reel-to-reel here, most cassette thingies use DC motors), the other
    stuff isn't. 
    
   >> then the turntable
   >> is the only problem, and I should buy a new one anyway.  So that's
   >> set.
    
    Even quite a few turntables use DC motors and some form of DC speed
    control. There are however those (generally regarded as the better
    ones, like Rega and Thorens) that use AC motors. They can generally
    be modified for 50Hz/60Hz by changing the pulley. No real problem
    most of the time.
    
    						- Rik -
    

.6�    Now I'm left wondering about this Radio 1/2/4 stuff, which seems
.6�    more complex than I'd suspected.  Can someone give me a quick
.6�    explanation of the different channels?


    There are four national BBC (that is, non-commercial) stations,
    called (in a burst of originality) Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and
    Radio 4.
    
    Radio 1 is a pop music station, aimed, I suspect, at
    teenagers/housewifes/etc, and, whilst opinions very, it seems that
    there is a lot of rubbish on there.
    
    Radio 2 is more conservative, and possibly aimed at the slightly
    more intellectual listener, but not so good as pure background music,
    more to actually *listen* to.
    
    Radio 3 is largely classical music.
    
    Radio 4 is mainly news, current affairs, etc, but does have some
    good plays and intellectual, and sometimes amusing, quiz programs.
    
    Until earlier this year, R1 was on AM only, but is  now appearing
    on FM. Sometimes the various stations transmit different programs
    on their respective AM and FM frequencies.
    
    There are also many local radio stations, both BBC and independant,
    on FM and AM (usually [always?] both). At present, there are no
    national independant radio stations, but that error is being fixed
    in the next year or so, I believe, starting with four independant
    stations.
    
    Hope this helps...
    
    Keith

    re .6....
    "-< So what's Radio 1, 2, 3, 4? >-"
    
    These are the BBC networks for the UK; places on the dial vary
    according to location for FM, but on AM/LW the same frequencies
    cover a fairly wide area.
    
    Broadcast content is as follows:-
    
    Radio 1 plays contemporary/pop/some AOR; varies from dross (breakfast time)
    to some good minority interest stuff during the evening, i.e. after
    the kids've gone to bed :-).
    
    Radio 2 plays music targetted largely at the middle-aged, with some
    AOR at one end of the spectrum to light classical at the other.
    Most music content is boring; early morning (before 7am) is OK,
    and Paul Jones' Blues prog on a Thursday evening is essential listening,
    for me anyway. They also do some big band and mainstream jazz, and
    some interesting chat show broadcasts.
    
    Radio 3 is nearly all classical music. The live broadcasts set
    standards by which all else is judged; in one day you can hear music
    ranging from Paschelbel<sp?> to Philip Glass. They also do a little
    radio drama and some of the more way-out jazz; they have been known
    to broadcast rock music too, approaching it from an academic
    standpoint, though.
    
    Radio 4 is almost all current affairs, drama and documentaries,
    with occasional quiz shows and panel-type programs.
    
    On FM, Radio 3 and 4 broadcast educational material for schools
    and the Open University, so it's worth having access to MW (AM to
    you) and LW, if you want the normal broadcasts at these times.
    
    There are also various BBC and independent local radio stations;
    as a rule they are not up the standard of their US equivalents -
    not the US ones I've heard, anyway - and mainstream Radios 1,2,3
    and 4 are nothing like you have in the USA.
    

    
    There is also  a "Radio 5" in the pipeline, which will have Sport and
    (I think) education programs on it. Where _do_ those wacky dudes at the
    BBC come up with those names ! Maybe when that arrives, the education
    stuff will go off R3 and R4.
    
    Generally, I think that popular music radio in the UK is worse than in
    the US. In most US cities, there's quite a wide array of stations to
    choose from, all targetted to different audiences - you can usually
    find one station that plays the sort of music you like most of the
    time. 
    
    In the UK, there's Radio 1 & 2 plus the local radio stations (both BBC
    and independent) - these local stations usually play a cross-section of
    the stuff that's played on R1/R2. For example, there's no such thing as
    a "rock station". Most station attempt to be all things to all people,
    rather than specialising.
    
    Trevor

Re. Note 52.9 by BAHTAT::SALLITT "Dave @ ICI,0642432193"

You mentioned 'AOR' twice. What is it? Qu�?

Steve.

P.S. As far as radio is concerned, I only listen at breakfast time and after
midnight, and I'm a great fan of Capital Radio at these times. I never
listen to anything else on my bedside radio because it's a bit fiddly to
tune. However, Chris Tarrant (love him or hate him) is on holiday for two
weeks and he's been replaced by Jeremy Beadle (hate him or hate him). Five
minutes of him was enough to convince me to retune to Radio 1. Simon Mayo
is the pits (still not as bad as Beadle tho'), Mike Smith was bad (when did
they change?), in fact it was Mike Smith that caused me to search out Capital.
Mike Read was the best (nostalgia rules). I've heard that Radio 4 is supposed
to be good at breakfast time, perhaps I'll give it a try (I don't like a heavy
session of news when I wake up tho').

Talking of which, the others have just gone to breakfast, so excuse me...

.11�You mentioned 'AOR' twice. What is it? Qu�?

    Adult Oriented Rock (Eagles, Steely Dan, that kinda stuff)
    
.11�      However, Chris Tarrant (love him or hate him) is on holiday for two
.11�weeks and he's been replaced by Jeremy Beadle (hate him or hate him). Five

    Agreed... I've stopped waking up at 6:30 *just* to hear CT (which
    I normally do). Luckily, I'm away all next week, so will miss [sic]
    JB.
    
.11�                                               Mike Smith was bad (when did
.11�they change?), in fact it was Mike Smith that caused me to search out Capital.

    But MS used to be on Capital (and was quite good *then*)
    
    ..Keith..

    re .11....
    "You mentioned 'AOR' twice. What is it? Qu�?"
    
    AOR = Adult Orientated Rock. Fleetwood Mac, current Clapton,
    Beatles, Simply Red,et al., as opposed to The Screaming Blue Messiahs,
    Bros etc. You dig?
    
    Dave

I've got reasonably wide musical tastes, but apart from the blatantly
obvious e.g. Bros - Pop, Bob Marley - Reggae, I always seem to have
difficulty in categorising music. This is why I can never find the record
I want in Our Price shops. For example, this lunchtime I went into Our Price
to buy an 'LP' by Latin Quarter. Well, I na�vely thought, with a name like
Latin Quarter and going by the music it must be Reggie, but no - it's
Rock/Pop. Also Level 42 which I would have said is definitely Rock/Pop is
under Reggae. I generally end up asking for the record.

One of my fave records is Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto. Does anyone know
what this is classified as? Is it Trad. Jazz, Modern Jazz, Blues, or something
totally different?

Yours in ignorance,

Uneducated from Basingstoke.

P.S.   Who are the Screaming Blue Messiahs?
P.P.S. My all time favourite track of the week is 'Sad Old Red' by Simply Red,

> P.S.   Who are the Screaming Blue Messiahs?

   They're a nice gentle Rock/HM group, if you want to hear some *REAL* music
you can come round and listen to my Twisted Sister and Metallica albums!!

Steve.  (the original one)

    I came back to Europe with a fair bit of US purchased kit in '82.
     It proved just about impossible to buy "switchable" equipment in
    California - some dealers even told me it was illegal!!
    
    Anyway I ran a Sansui 60+60W receiver here for three
    years on a simple stepdown transformer without problems (except
    lack of longwave).  Incidentally, its now for sale since my wife
    thought it was too big.  It has manual, rotary tuning (quaint eh?)
    so no problems with "missed" frequencies.
    
    I am also still using Technics 120v./60Hz cassette deck and equaliser
    using a stepdown transformer without difficulties.  My Technics
    turntable was bought in Europe but I'm pretty sure it has dc motor
    and 240/120v. switch - in fact you can run it off 12 volt dc I think.
    
    Nick
    

    When I moved to the US I had visions of buying switchable equipment
    and found it almost impossible. However, if you see an item you
    like, ask to read the instruction manual. They are often written
    to cover the minor variants of a particular piece of equipment and
    will include sections like 'if you have a ZZ-12-AA, you should set
    switch x to your local line voltage'. You will at least then have
    the part number for the switchable version. You can then call the
    manufacturer.
    
    A lot of mfgs will make switchable equipement but not offer it for
    general sale in the US. You may be able to special order it. You
    will not find it on display and consumer electronics sales clones
    will probably tell its illegal/impossible/immoral.
    
    For some reason, most of the Japanese products sold in Australia
    (at least until about 1983) were switchable for voltage/frequency
    and for tuning increments. All of the components of my old system
    were switchable.
    
    gary