13th October 2024 - Magic of Radio
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Today has been spent in the manner I truely love for Sundays. Waking 
up to the radio, lying in bed for a bit, getting up, sorting life out, 
sitting down with a good book and plenty of decent tea, popping out 
for wander and then settling down for the joys of time in com while 
faffing about. The key constant is the radio. I love Sunday radio and 
well, that got me thinking about why the radio is magic. 

Lets get it out of the way. Radio transmission is simply magic. You 
change the voltage at the bottom of a metal rod at a specific 
frequency and that becomes sound. It still blows my mind that this 
works and I have a full amateur radio licence and a Bachelors of 
Engineering in communications. The method of transmission is simply 
magic. TV is also magic but it doesn't quite feel as magic for some 
reason. I know... visuals over radio waves is madness too but hey - 
who will let you take a TV apart? Radios on the other hand tend to 
cause less anguish when you prod inside. 

Radio programmes are often a DJ trying to form a connection with the 
audience. In commercial radio, it gets more ears listening to the 
adverts. In public radio though, it is truely about sharing. You get 
DJs who want to help make your life easier by providing entertainment 
as you commute, suffer through work or doing chores. You get DJs who 
love music and just want to share what turns them on with you. You 
also get DJS who want to help others share their issues or joys so 
people do not feel alone. I tend to love the DJs who just want to 
share that latest song which has excited them. This thread of 
connection is something I find doesn't quite happen through TV for 
some reason. 

Perhaps it is how personal radio can feel. It is often one person 
broadcasting to lots of people. Even when you get pairs of presenters, 
they are always including the listener. When I first started living on 
my own, I hit a point where things felt lonely. To be honest, there 
have been times while living with others and feelings of loneliness 
have pervaded. The radio has helped in each of those times. The nature 
of a single DJ talking out does help with that. 

The lack of a visual aspect helps with two factors. The first is that 
you can go and do things. You are not tethered within view of the 
glowing screen. This is less important now we have streaming on all 
the devices under the sun. Yet you still need to look occasionally. 
Otherwise you miss part of the joy of TV. The second factor is that it 
can make productions cheaper. There are no sets, make up, clothing or 
such things to worry about. Instead you are left with the noises and 
the words. I do enjoy listening to BBC radio 4. This is all spoken 
word in the form of dramas and comedy. I heartifuly recommend the 
comedy. This reduced cost of entry means controllers can be more open 
to experimental ideas. You will find that most of the big comedies 
from the BBC started on radio. It gives young writers the chance to 
experiement and prove theirselves. 

Even sport over the radio can be delightful. I often end up with the 
cricket on. Sure it is better to be able to see but you still get that 
atmosphere and vibe. Test Match Special, the BBC's cricket programme 
is filled with daft chatter amongst the commentary. It feels like 
sitting in the pub and hearing a bunch of people chatting. There is an 
intimacy you don't get with the TV commentary. Football and rugby do 
work over the radio too. It is weird but it feels more exciting when 
all you know is what the person is saying at the end of the 
microphone. 

Anyhow, enough pontificating about the magic of radio. I have 
DJRobyn's Shut Up You Freak to listen to on aNONradio!