World's Smallest Radio: Nano-Sized Detector Turns Radio Waves Into Music

Researchers in California report development of the world’s first working radio system that receives radio waves wirelessly and converts them to sound signals through a nano-sized detector made of carbon nanotubes. The “carbon nanotube radio” device is thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The development marks an important step in the evolution of nano-electronics and could lead to the production of the world’s smallest radio, the scientists say. Their findings appeared online today and are scheduled for publication in the Nov. 14 print edition of ACS’ Nano Letters, a monthly journal.

Peter Burke and Chris Rutherglen developed a carbon nanotube “demodulator” that is capable of translating AM radio waves into sound. In a laboratory demonstration, the researchers incorporated the detector into a complete radio system and used it to successfully transmit classical music wirelessly from an iPod to a speaker several feet away from the music player.

Although other researchers have developed nano-sized radio wave detectors in the past, the current study marks the first time that a nano-sized detector has been demonstrated in an actual working radio system, the scientists say. The study demonstrates the feasibility of making other radio components at the nanoscale in the future and may eventually lead to a “truly integrated nanoscale wireless communications system,” they say. Such a device could have numerous industrial, commercial, medical and other applications.

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Iraqis Launch Independent Radio and Television Station

With jumper cables and a 12-volt battery, a Saddam-era radio station roared to life last week and now four Iraqis are doing what has never been done as they launch independent radio and television in war-torn Iraq.

"We respect the Maliki government and all religious leaders," says Rafed Mahmood, general manager of the Independent Radio & Television Network (IRTN). "But our voice is independent. No one tells us what to say."

Four Iraqis -- two Sunnis and two Shia -- say they are looking to become the voices of sectarian reconciliation, unity and freedom. Their 3000kw Italian radio transmitter is cabled up the 350-meter tower that the Japanese built for hanged Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein in 1986.

"The terrorists are nothing more than criminals. They promise thepeople safety and protection but only deliver death," says Mahmood of those committing violence in Iraq. "It's time for Iraqis to stand up and say enough. We must fight for our own freedom."

On March 25th, IRTN launches their UHF television broadcasts.

"Bush and Blair are freedom fighters," says Samir Kamies, television station manager. "The sons and daughters of America and Britain have died on our soil for our freedom. We are grateful but soon they must go home. Now every Iraqi must stand up for freedom."

U.S. State Department Global Outreach advisor Paul McKellips has been living with the Iraqis at the media compound since February 3rd. "Programming blocks, news shows, cultural programs and new techniques forcamera and editing. They chose the substance. I help with style," he says.

Donia Abdul Lateef says she dropped out of law school as violence in Diyala Province escalated. The 20-year old Shia woman hopes to inspire young girls and women of all ages to pursue college and find careers in Iraqi business and government.

IRTN radio is on the air 14-hours a day and reaches nearly 11 million Iraqis, the broadcasters say. They launched their website this week and hopethat through a combination of advertising sales, licensing and eCommerce they can generate enough revenue to sustain their operations.

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D.C. Classic Rock Station Goes Green

"The Arrow" has turned green.

WARW 94.7, Washington DC's long-time classic rock radio station has become an environment-oriented rock station called "The Globe."

The radio station will use renewable energy generated by wind to power its 50,000 watt signal, owner CBS Radio announced. The aim is to use clean energy to reduce the station's impact on global climate change, CBS Radio says.

Further, 94.7 radio station vehicles will be replaced with hybrid models, and 94.7 The Globe says it will further its "green" focus by taking a number of steps on and off-air to consistently promote ways for listeners to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

"Everyone at the station, from our on-air talent to the many employees who work behind the scenes, has embraced this environmentally responsible concept and we look forward to incorporating green aspects into every facet of our operation," says Michael Hughes, general manager of WARW. "It's not often you can perfectly align great music with a message so central to your audience's beliefs. Rock and 'green' is just such a winning combination, and now, more than ever, is the right time to evolve the station to ensure a successful run well into the future."

The station's website has also been created for The Globe featurse station news as well as environmental resources, CBS Radio says.

But WARW is no longer strictly classic rock. In what is branded "World Class Rock" format, WARW radio will increase its playlist incorporating more artists from the late 90s and today including Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others.

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Morse Code Signs Off From Ham Radio

Morse code will no longer be a requirement for earning an amateur radio (often called "ham" radio) license. In a ruling published in the January 24 Federal Register, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the elimination of testing for Morse code proficiency for all amateur radio licenses. The change will take effect February 23.

The FCC will also allow new amateurs to use more frequencies-- including those which can talk all over the world.

While many amateur or ham radio operators continue to learn and use Morse code, now it is only for their own enjoyment of the skill. Amateur or ham operators have been using newer digital, image, satellite, voice and other modern wireless technologies for years.

Originally created for the telegraph system in the 1800s, Morse code consists of dots and dashes that make up an "alphabet" that qualified operators can understand and translate into spoken languages.

The elimination of code testing signals the end of an era. Within hours following announcement that the code requirement was being dropped, ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, reported that requests for study materials for new or upgrading licensees more than doubled.

Eliminating Morse code testing ends a long tradition for amateur radio licensees. The FCC action follows revisions to the international radio regulations resulting from the 2003 International Telecommunication Union(ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference allowing each nation to determine whether or not to require Morse code skills for an amateur radio license.

Many local amateur radio clubs are planning to hold license testing on the night of February 22 for people who wish to take the last Morse code tests before the midnight Eastern Standard Time deadline. Others wish to be among the first to become an amateur operator or upgrade their license under the new rules.

The FCC also announced that the holders of the entry level, Technician Class, license will gain new privileges previously reserved for amateurs who had passed a Morse code exam. The new privileges will allow worldwide communication under certain conditions, but the major change is that the other two classes of amateur licenses -- General and Amateur-Extra -- no longer require Morse code proficiency. The General license provides full operating privileges except in some frequency bands that are reserved forthe Extra class operators. The change means that more amateur radio operators will be available to assist during communications emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when hundreds of amateurs helped plug a communications gap.


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Nearly Half of Our Lives Spent With TV, Radio, Internet, Newspapers, According to Census

Adults and teens will spend nearly five months (3,518 hours) next year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily newspapers and listening to personal music devices. That's only one of thousands of nuggets of information on Americana and the world in the U.S. Census Bureau's "Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2007," released today.

"The statistical abstract is a collaborative effort that showcases our government statistics and the work of the international community, private industry and nonprofit agency researchers," says Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon.

According to projections from a communications industry forecast, people will spend 65 days in front of the TV, 41 days listening to radio and a little over a week on the Internet in 2007. Adults will spend about a week reading a daily newspaper and teens and adults will spend another week listening to recorded music. Consumer spending for media is forecasted to be $936.75 per person.

Other facts from the Census Bureau:

-- Nearly half (47 percent) of college freshmen enrolled in 2005 had earned an average grade of "A" in high school, compared to two in 10 (20 percent) in 1970. The majority (79 percent) of freshmen in 1970 had an important personal objective of "developing a meaningful philosophy of life." By 2005, the majority of freshmen (75 percent) said their primary objective was "being very well off financially."
-- There were 3.5 million U.S. millionaires in 2001, more than a half million of them (572,000) in California and about 3,000 in Vermont.
-- More than half (50.3 percent) of U.S. households -- nearly 57 million -- owned stocks and mutual funds in 2005, representing 91 million individual investors. Equity owners had a median age of 51, a median household income of $65,000 and $125,000 in median household financial assets. (Tables 1194, 1195)
-- There were 278 million debit cards in U.S. hands in 2004, with 22.2 billion transactions amounting to more than $1 trillion. (Table 1168)
-- More than half of families with credit cards (56 percent) "almost always" pay off the balance, 20 percent "sometimes" pay off the balance and another 24 percent "hardly ever" pay off the balance.
-- The average tax refund in 2003 was $2,154, up from $1,802 in 2000. Average taxes due at the time of filing were $3,499 in 2003, down from $4,406 in 2000. (Table 473)
-- The greater Cincinnati airport led major U.S. airports in on-time arrivals in the last three months of 2005 with an 84.3 percent on-time rate. Salt Lake City International had the best on-time departure rate at 86.3 percent.


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