BBC Radio for Elderly Person

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networkn

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#136837 10-Dec-2013 15:35

I have an Aunt (86) who loves to listen to the BBC in the UK (Some sort of night time broadcast).

I have been searching for some time, for a way for her to listen but most options seem to involve the internet.

I am looking for a plug and play solution, that perhaps runs off a 3G Card with non expiring credit of some sort...

I am not sure how much bandwidth would be required or how to calculate an hours listening in MB (or GB).

Anyone got any bright ideas?

lxsw20

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#948775 10-Dec-2013 15:44

Logitech UE Radio and a MiFi type device with the 2Degrees 12GB data deal?

Looking at my Meraki AP I've used about 1GB of data over a month for 36 hours of streaming on mine. Just on a Radio works stream.

andrewNZ

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#948776 10-Dec-2013 15:44

I'd suggest the easiest way might be to use podcasts, assuming they exist for the show. Maybe an iphone or 3g iPad with a data only sim or something.

wellygary

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#948807 10-Dec-2013 16:15

If she is in Auckland, she could try 810 AM

http://worldservice.co.nz/

But if she's anywhere else in the country, its likely she's gonna need to use some sort of live stream,

With regard to how much data, that depends on the bit rate, @48kbs you go through about 20MByte an hour, a 128kbs stream is 57 Mbyte,

networkn

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#948816 10-Dec-2013 16:25

wellygary: If she is in Auckland, she could try 810 AM

http://worldservice.co.nz/

But if she's anywhere else in the country, its likely she's gonna need to use some sort of live stream,

With regard to how much data, that depends on the bit rate, @48kbs you go through about 20MByte an hour, a 128kbs stream is 57 Mbyte,

Dunedin.

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#948826 10-Dec-2013 16:33

What about a cheap android phone, with a good speaker with podcasts software where they can download each podcast one by one. Maybe a samsung phone with kiescast podcast software.

networkn

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#948827 10-Dec-2013 16:35

mattwnz: What about a cheap android phone, with a good speaker with podcasts software where they can download each podcast one by one. Maybe a samsung phone with kiescast podcast software.

Cmon what 86 year old that has never touched a device of that nature would feel comfortable enough doing that?

martyyn

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#948975 10-Dec-2013 21:09

I use tune-in radio on an old nexus one plugged into a Logitech dock to get my bbc fix. It can start the feed when you open the app or you can just leave the app open and stop the feed until you to start it again.

There are internet radios but you need a connection and they aren't cheap.

What about a cheap tablet (for a bigger screen) running the app to some Bluetooth speakers ?

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#948986 10-Dec-2013 21:31

I regularly listen to BBC Radio 5 via the internet on my Android phone. And I typically clock up about 250mb per night for 6-8 hours listening time.

Hope these numbers help.

JimmyH

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#949004 10-Dec-2013 22:07

A second recommendation for TuneIn Radio. It's a free app that runs on iOS or android (I have used both) and can be used over 3G or WiFi or whatever. Data use depends on the bitrate of the station chosen, usually about 60MB per hour for the UK stations I have listened to. It's fairly easy to use. If you set it up and walk her through it, and pre-load the stations she wants as favourites, then she should be OK. Plus, it's a free app.

Consider an internet package and a WiFi connection if she uses it a lot, and uses it mainly around the home (at 84 I suspect that's likely). Vastly cheaper than cellular for decent amounts of data/listening. The speaker on a good phone, tablet or an iPod should be plenty for what she needs. If she doesn't need a phone etc then I would recommend something like:

- Internet with WiFi router (you configure it so she just has to turn it on) and a 30GB plan.
- Cheapish Droid tablet with a good speaker (or an ipod touch)
- TuneIn Radio app

Then she should be able to get pretty much all the BBC stations live, plus anywhere else in the world if she wants (I think there are now over 15,000 stations!).

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#949016 10-Dec-2013 22:31

Try Otago Access Radio in Dunedin on 105.4 FM.

They broadcast 10 hours of BBC World Service per day (actually, per night, from 11pm until 9am).

Your aunt will need a wireless radio and electrical power or a fresh set of batteries. How's that for "old school"!

Cheers,

David.