Technology: WorldSpace receiver: Radio connections from far

A WorldSpace receiver is a radio that can access stations from different continents. It can access radio stations in Africa, Asia and India. This would look or sound weird to you, but it is true!! The radio is a satellite network just like the BlackBerry phone, only that it also has broadcast stations. It is also known as a digital satellite radio.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

A WorldSpace receiver is a radio that can access stations from different continents. It can access radio stations in Africa, Asia and India. This would look or sound weird to you, but it is true!!

The radio is a satellite network just like the BlackBerry phone, only that it also has broadcast stations. It is also known as a digital satellite radio.

WorldSpace uses its two satellites, AfriStar and AsiaStar, to broadcast more than 100 digital-quality audio channels to people around the world who want world class programming that is not available or rarely found on local, regional or national terrestrial radios.

Each satellite has three beams and each beam is able to send more than 40 crystal clear audio channels directly to portable, in-car and PC receivers. It has a combination of news, sports, music, brand name content and educational programming which it delivers to its listeners.

Its channels represent popular international music formats including contemporary hits, country, classic rock and jazz with content specific to the local geographic region.

The WorldSpace also broadcasts news from well-renowned sources such as BBC and CNN. Additionally, are channels that highlight poetry and literature, comedy, talk shows, and inspirational and religious programmes.

The gadget comprises of the space segment, the ground segment, and the user segment. The space segment is the company-owned satellites that broadcast the signals, the ground segment is the broadcasting centres, and the user segment is the user-owned devices in which the signal is received.

The radios consist of a satellite receiver plus an antenna that has to be placed in clear view of the relevant satellite, and properly orientated to the user’s geographical elevation.

Depending on your locations, you may need to re-aim the receiver’s antenna periodically to maintain a direct line-of-sight to the satellite.

It important to note that not all receivers can access WorldSpace signals. There is a special chipset required to translate satellite signals into digital audio.

As you look forward to have it on the local market, you can acquire it online for as low as £50 (Rwf41,273).

Contact: eddiemukaaya@yahoo.com