Smallest digital radio ever???

[matriarch]

My employers, have currently implemented a ban on radios in offices containing more than one person, as they say this constitues a 'public performance', and therefore requires them to buy a licence for each office. (what a crock, in that case,almost every factory/warehouse in the country is breaking the law). So, to get over that, I have splashed out on what I think is the smallest digital radio in the world.


http://www.gadgetsforboys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/clarity-portable-dab-radio-cube.jpg

I don't need batteries, it charges directly from my laptop (as it is right now), the earphones actually work as the antenna, it has a digital read out screen telling me what to do, how to move about, etc., and of course, it's so small, it's almost invisible on my desk. 1.5"x 1" x 0.5". Best buy ever.

I love it, and I can now listen to my favourite classical radio station all day. As I do a great deal of audio typing, it's not an unusual sight to see me with earphones in my ears, so, deal done.

I love it!!

 

[Liar]

You need a license for radios?

Anyhoo, my cellphone has a good FM radio and MP3 player in it. And it's no fancy iPhone or anything, just a 2 year old Nokia, cheapest crap I could find. One device less for me to haul around.

 

[matriarch]

You need a license for radios?

Anyhoo, my cellphone has a good FM radio and MP3 player in it. And it's no fancy iPhone or anything, just a 2 year old Nokia, cheapest crap I could find. One device less for me to haul around.

I work in a prison.
Mobile phones, MP3 players, flash cards, cds, anything like that is strictly forbidden. Hence buying nothing but a radio. That way, if searched (we do have random searches), I won't be disciplined for carrying unapproved recording equipment.


There was a time in UK, before TV, when one had to have a licence to use a radio (wireless as they were called then), and this money was what financed the British Broadcasting Corporation - now BBC. Once TVs became available, the licence was made to incorporate the TV, and the price went up. Now we just buy a TV licence - one can get fined huge amounts of money for using a tv without a licence, businesses that sell them are bound by law to inform the licensing authority every time someone buys a tv, and they check their records to see if they already have a licence. If not, they get a visit. I don't mind at all, I am happy to pay this money for the joy of having 4 TV stations at least that do not have interminable commercials.

 

[3113]

it charges directly from my laptop (as it is right now)!

Why not listen to internet radio? I'm enjoying Pandora right now.

 

[Handley_Page]

My employers, have currently implemented a ban on radios in offices containing more than one person, as they say this constitutes a 'public performance', and therefore requires them to buy a licence for each office. (what a crock, in that case,almost every factory/warehouse in the country is breaking the law).

Technically, Yes; except there have been radios in workshops for decades.
It's just the Performing Rights gnomes, wandering round trying to drum up fees for crap music. There's been a shift of late in opposition (under the 'custom & precedent' tradition) to fight this insidious nonsense.

I think~ I'll await the arrival of 'others'. £52 is a bit steep at present, especially as I get a really terrible digital signal.

 

[matriarch]

Why not listen to internet radio? I'm enjoying Pandora right now.

Because we don't have general internet access either, for security reasons. We have limited access to a handful of approved sites, such as BBC news, the Prison Service Site (obviously) and information sites. We do, of course, have e-mail and our own Prison Service intranet. But that's it.

 

[matriarch]

Technically, Yes; except there have been radios in workshops for decades.
It's just the Performing Rights gnomes, wandering round trying to drum up fees for crap music. There's been a shift of late in opposition (under the 'custom & precedent' tradition) to fight this insidious nonsense.

I think~ I'll await the arrival of 'others'. £52 is a bit steep at present, especially as I get a really terrible digital signal.

I couldn't agree more, but think back to the 'Workers' Playtime' which was broadcast on BBC radio, nationwide, every day, every lunch time, for years and years. How playing the radio can be classed as a public performance, I have no idea. What about a family listening to the radio together? We did before TV. We did, after TV. Would have 'Family Favourites', The Goonshow', 'Round the Horn', whilst eating Sunday Lunch.

I think it's patently ridiculous, as radio is designed and intended for lots of people to listen to.

From the internet:


"You dont need a radio licence to listen to the radio in the UK today ..... all BBC radio (excluding BBC World Service) is paid for out of the TV licence fee. If you don't have a TV you get BBC radio for free.

BUT

in a workplace or public area you may require a MUSIC licence. This is totally unrelated to the radio licence of the past and the TV licence of today.

Any location or premises, outside of home, where music is played from clubs to concert halls, from discos to dentists’ waiting rooms and from trains to takeaways needs a PRSforMUSIC Licence for the public performance of copyright music."

I wonder how many millions of businesses the length and breadth of UK are 'breaking the law' under this ridiculous requirement

 

[oggbashan]

I...

in a workplace or public area you may require a MUSIC licence. This is totally unrelated to the radio licence of the past and the TV licence of today.

Any location or premises, outside of home, where music is played from clubs to concert halls, from discos to dentists’ waiting rooms and from trains to takeaways needs a PRSforMUSIC Licence for the public performance of copyright music."[/I]

I wonder how many millions of businesses the length and breadth of UK are 'breaking the law' under this ridiculous requirement

Our local KFC clone has such a licence, as do most of our hairdressers.

The KFC clone is supported by our local musicians because it displays its licence clearly. The musicians (like most authors with lending library payments) don't get any money from it, or if they do it is a few pounds a year, but they appreciate the effort made by the Chicken purveyors' owner.

Og

PS. The KFC Clone also has its hygiene rating clearly displayed, along with the hygiene certificates of the staff, who are encouraged to attend courses to get higher catering qualifications. The kitchen is in full view of the counter and is kept spotless. The food may be crap, but it is purveyed in accordance with hygiene standards.