For context, this article is written for radio and technical practitioners, interested in the technicalities of how I got shows on air using remote setups

In 2016 I was presented with a challenge, market a music concert in Polokwane. The best way I could think to do that was to walk there. The journey took two weeks and my producer Michael Bossenger (Mad Money Mike) and I made the 330KM journey on foot from Johannesburg to Polokwane. Followed only by a catcher car that would follow along for safety reasons to carry our bags and equipment.

Broadcasts of this nature had been done before, however, there was essentially no template and we needed to figure out how we were physically going to get 2 hours of radio on air every day. Our solution was primitive, but it worked. Here’s what we did. Along with us on the road, we had an iPad, a decent mic that could plug into the iPad, a 3G signal on our phones, and a desk driver the in the studio.

 Here were our steps.

• Connect a microphone to an iPad.
• Turn on the iPad’s mobile data and create a hotspot.
• Connect the iPad to the hotspot using Wi-Fi.
• Use Skype on the iPad to connect to a computer in a radio studio.
• The computer in the studio should be connected to the studio desk.
• The audio from the microphone on the iPad is transmitted over the internet to the computer in the studio via the Skype connection.
• The computer in the studio captures the audio signal and routes it to the studio desk for broadcast.

In this setup, the iPad acts as a remote audio source, transmitting the microphone signal to the studio over the internet. The computer in the studio acts as a receiving endpoint, capturing the audio and routing it to the studio desk for broadcast. The hot spotted 3G Wi-Fi provides the internet connectivity necessary for the transmission of the audio signal.

We used 3G as a minimum requirement back in 2016.

Following the walk, we became obsessed with the idea of being able to broadcast from anywhere in the country and world. Here are some of the amazing devices and technologies that have helped us along the way.

1. The Rodecaster Pro

After a few years of plugging microphones into different kinds of soundcards, we eventually were introduced to The Rodecaster Pro, which changed the game significantly

A RodeCaster Pro is a digital mixing console specifically designed for podcasting. It allows you to mix multiple audio sources, including microphones, sound effects, and music, into a single audio output.

The RodeCaster Pro works by connecting to your computer or mobile device via USB, and it has a built-in audio interface that can capture audio from multiple sources. You can plug in up to four microphones, and you also have the option of connecting additional audio sources, such as musical instruments or sound effects, through the 3.5mm and USB inputs.

The RodeCaster Pro features an intuitive, touch-screen interface that makes it easy to adjust levels, mute or solo tracks, and access sound effects and music. The device also has built-in sound effects, which you can trigger with the touch of a button.

In terms of remote radio broadcasting, the RodeCaster Pro can aid in several ways. First, it allows you to mix audio from multiple sources, including remote guests, into a single, high-quality audio output. Second, it provides a compact and portable solution for remote broadcasts, as you can easily connect the RodeCaster Pro to a laptop or mobile device and use it to broadcast from anywhere. Finally, the RodeCaster Pro provides a range of audio processing tools, including equalization, compression, and noise reduction, which can help to improve the quality of your remote broadcast.

Overall, the RodeCaster Pro is an excellent tool for anyone looking to produce high-quality audio for remote radio broadcasting.

2. Cleanfeed

The main issue we always still had was how to broadcast live, remotely, without something like an ISDN line. That all changed when we discovered Cleanfeed.

CleanFeed is a web-based audio conferencing tool that enables remote radio broadcasting and podcasting. It allows multiple audio sources to be mixed into a single audio stream, which can then be broadcast live or recorded for later use.

CleanFeed works by using the internet to connect remote guests to a central studio. Each participant can access CleanFeed from their computer or mobile device, and their audio is captured and transmitted to the central studio in real time. The audio signals from each participant are then mixed into a single audio stream, which can be broadcast live or recorded for later use.

CleanFeed has largely replaced ISDN lines, which are dedicated digital telephone lines that were previously used for remote broadcasts. ISDN lines provided high-quality audio transmission, but they were expensive to set up and maintain, and they required special hardware to be installed at both the remote location and the central studio.

In contrast, CleanFeed is a cost-effective and flexible solution that can be used from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. It eliminates the need for expensive ISDN lines and dedicated hardware, making remote broadcasting more accessible for smaller organizations and individual podcasters.

This has largely remained the formula for remote broadcasts that have taken place on a boat in Croatia, from 8 African countries, a remote island in the Caribbean, and South Africa, during stage 6 load-shedding, the latter being one of our bigger challenges. For this, we have invested in a Jackery.

3. Jackery

A Jackery is a portable power station or battery pack that can be used to provide backup power for electronic devices when an AC power source is not available. It is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can store a certain amount of energy, which can then be used to power various devices.

How it works:

Charging: A Jackery can be charged through an AC outlet or a solar panel. When fully charged, the battery pack can store a certain amount of energy, which can then be used to power various devices.

Output: A Jackery has multiple output ports, such as USB, DC, and AC outlets, which can be used to power a range of devices, such as smartphones, laptops, lights, and small appliances.

Power management: Some Jackery models also come with built-in power management systems that can control the output voltage, current, and temperature. This ensures that the connected devices receive a stable and safe source of power.

Portable: A Jackery is compact and portable, making it an ideal backup power solution for loadsheding, remote broadcasts and other situations where a reliable power source is not available.

Overall, a Jackery provides a convenient and reliable way to keep electronic devices charged and powered when an AC power source is not available.

The most important lesson I have learned about remote radio broadcasting is that you need to be adaptable. There are countless ways to achieve the technical sides of broadcasts like these, but the more curious you are, the more you discover about what’s possible. Research, experiment and push the boundaries of what’s possible, all in the interest of pushing radio forward.