Meet the Hobbyists Behind Today’s Smartest Radios

 

Across generations and continents, FM DXers embrace open-source tools to tune into distant signals

By Nick Langan 

Published: July 21, 2025

Do you remember your first portable radio?

For Sjef Verhoeven, it was a Sony Walkman in 1993. As is common in the Netherlands, he would often ride his bike. That spring, he heard FM stations from the U.K. at a distance of about 300 kilometers. All day long, various BBC affiliates were audible.

“I had to find out why that was possible,” he said.

Verhoeven, 47, eventually became an electrical engineer for a wholesaler in radio and TV equipment in the Eindhoven area of the Netherlands. He earned his amateur radio license (PE5PVB) in 1999.

Additional story at: 

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/news-makers/meet-the-hobbyists-behind-todays-smartest-radios?utm_term=A8208372-8B15-4B60-A12B-B5B02339D50A&utm_medium=email&utm_content=E8C9855E-4115-481D-956B-10DDB341857F&utm_source=SmartBrief

Tiny URL: https://tinyurl.com/3fc5zhmm

Using drones to verify FM antenna performance

 

Aerial vehicles validate predictions made in computer simulations

BY PAUL MCLANE 

PUBLISHED: APRIL 9, 2024

A Saturday session of the Broadcast Engineering & IT Conference will explore “Using Drones to Verify FM Antenna Performance.”

John Schadler is vice president of engineering for Dielectric LLC, which makes antennas, RF systems components, and transmission lines. Jason Schreiber is managing director of Sixarms, which uses drones to provide measurement solutions for broadcasters and other industries. 

Radio World: What is your session about?

John Schadler: The paper will discuss the power of computer simulation and validate the predictions through comparisons to drone measurements. This in turn also shows the ability drone measurements have to verify antenna system performance.

Additional interview at:

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/show-news/nab-show/using-drones-to-verify-fm-antenna-performance?utm_term=A8208372-8B15-4B60-A12B-B5B02339D50A&lrh=5fe29bca13dc3e17fdcf1cf80df5f0574faf550d6593cce4d12e8d4836f3656a&utm_campaign=0028F35E-226C-4B60-AC88-AB2831C8A639&utm_medium=email&utm_content=7A4708E3-DB96-4EA6-8AF8-6AFEF6BD4D25&utm_source=SmartBrief

Tiny URL: https://tinyurl.com/2s46wmv2

(Radio World)

FCC Looks Ready to Approve ZoneCasting on FM

 

Idea of allowing FM geo-targeting for a few minutes each hour is controversial

BY PAUL MCLANE 

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 31, 2024, UPDATED: FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Suddenly it appears that limited FM geotargeting may soon be allowed by the FCC.

Supporters have called the technology a potential game-changer. Opponents have warned of seismic consequences for the FM band.

Commissioners Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, and Brendan Carr, a Republican, issued a joint statement on Wednesday. They said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is circulating an order and further notice of proposed rulemaking among her colleagues. The order would allow FM broadcasters to air unique content on booster signals for a short time each hour.

Additional story from Radio World at:

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/fcc-looks-ready-to-approve-zonecasting?utm_term=5D9DE571-5BD8-4EB3-9615-8CD97234C766&lrh=3486d86a6688884172ad5d9863167948b34d1939739bddadeae8dd83cbeb49ca&utm_campaign=0028F35E-226C-4B60-AC88-AB2831C8A639&utm_medium=email&utm_content=B1B9B076-86A1-4C4D-8B01-E5E19DADC576&utm_source=SmartBrief

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/ycxc73v9