Ever wonder what's behind that perfect radio voice that draws you in during your morning commute? This episode takes you on a fascinating journey through nearly a century of radio microphone technology, from the massive, temperamental ribbon microphones of the 1930s to the sleek digital mics powering today's podcasts and broadcasts.

You'll discover why early radio hosts had to stand perfectly still like statues, how the introduction of dynamic microphones in the late 1930s revolutionized broadcasting, and why the legendary Electro-Voice RE20 became the gold standard that shaped the sound of professional radio for decades. We'll explore the technical innovations that gave FM radio its intimate, close-to-your-ear quality in the 1960s and 70s, and examine how modern podcasters are changing the game with new technology.

Along the way, you'll learn about the engineering breakthroughs that made wireless broadcasting possible, understand why certain microphones cost hundreds of dollars while others work perfectly for under fifty bucks, and gain insight into how audio processing has evolved from analog compression to digital perfection. Whether you're curious about radio history, considering starting your own podcast, or just want to understand the technology behind the voices you hear every day, this episode reveals the hidden world of broadcast audio.

From ribbon to dynamic to condenser microphones, discover how each technological leap forward changed not just how radio sounded, but how hosts could connect with their audiences. Plus, get honest recommendations about modern podcast equipment and learn what really makes the difference between amateur and professional sound quality.

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KSDP 830 AM serves just 600 people in Sand Point, Alaska—one of America's most isolated communities. But this tiny radio station is a lifeline, broadcasting everything from tsunami warnings to local fishing reports across the Aleutian Islands. Now, federal budget cuts threaten to silence KSDP forever, potentially leaving an entire community without their main connection to the outside world. Join Tyler as he explores the 40-year history of this remarkable station, the current funding crisis facing rural public radio, and what happens when the last voice goes silent in America's most remote places. This is the untold story of how political decisions in Washington can have life-or-death consequences on the edge of the world.

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Howard Stern just reminded the world why he’s still the master of media. After months off the air, Stern’s return to SiriusXM started with a prank that had Andy Cohen taking over his channel, news outlets reporting he was gone, and fans convinced it was the end.

But it was all Stern’s idea, a perfectly timed stunt that exposed how fast rumors spread and how easily the press can be fooled. In this episode, we break down what happened, why the media fell for it, and how Stern turned a summer cold into one of his biggest bits in years.

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Tyler previews the upcoming Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin (September 15-17, 2025), highlighting the sessions he's most excited to attend in his professional capacity.

Topics Covered:

• Audio Processing: Finding That Elusive Signature Sound with Mike Erickson (Orban Labs)
• Workbench Tips to Improve Engineering Efficiency with Kirk Harnack
• Hardening the Transmitter Site for reliability and protection
• The Case For Broadcasting in 2025 and Beyond
• How Washington Changes Affect FCC Station Requirements
• RF Fundamentals and Electrical Safety for broadcasters
• Project Planning for Studio and Transmitter Projects
• Vendor floor highlights and networking opportunities

Learn why conferences like the Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic (put on by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations) matter for the future of broadcasting technology and engineering.

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Got pushback on my last episode calling HD Radio a complete failure? You were right to call me out. While HD Radio's original consumer vision crashed and burned spectacularly, the technology quietly found success in ways nobody predicted. 

In this follow-up episode, I break down where HD Radio actually succeeded after failing as a consumer product:

• FM Translator Revolution - How one radio station can become four different stations using HD Radio subchannels, creating better coverage and audio quality than traditional methods
• Invisible Data Highway - Why 110 million vehicles use HD Radio every day without drivers knowing it, powering traffic data and navigation systems
• Emergency Alerts That Work - How HD Radio transforms useless emergency broadcasts into detailed visual information with maps and safety instructions

HD Radio never became the "CD-quality revolution" marketers promised, but it accidentally built infrastructure that makes radio better in unexpected ways. Sometimes innovation finds success through the back door.

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Ever wondered why HD Radio never took off despite being technically superior to regular FM? This might be the most tragic story in broadcasting history - a technology that had everything going for it but still managed to fail spectacularly.

In this episode, we explore how HD Radio went from revolutionary promise to comprehensive disaster. We'll cover the brilliant engineering behind OFDM technology, why it cost stations up to $200,000 to upgrade, and how the "digital cliff effect" made listening unbearable. Plus, we'll talk about the perfect storm of competition from iPods, satellite radio, and streaming that killed HD Radio's chances.

From the early success of in-band on-channel broadcasting to Wisconsin Public Radio shutting down their HD operations, this is the story of how superior technology couldn't overcome bad timing, economic barriers, and devastating market forces.

Topics covered:

• The ingenious OFDM technology that made it possible
• Why the chicken-and-egg adoption problem doomed HD Radio
• Technical disasters: digital cliff effect and coverage problems
• The $3 billion investment that went nowhere
• How 58% of cars have HD Radio but nobody knows it
• Why major manufacturers abandoned the technology

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Fully Modulated is not affiliated with or endorsed by any station, media company, or network. All opinions are solely my own.

Ever wondered how rock and roll conquered British radio? It all started with rebellious DJs broadcasting from ships in the North Sea. In this episode, we dive into the wild world of pirate radio - from Radio Caroline's first broadcast in 1964 to the underground stations that introduced reggae, house music, and hip-hop to British audiences.

We'll explore how a loophole in international law led to floating radio stations, why the government was so desperate to shut them down, and how pirate radio moved from ships to land when the authorities cracked down. Plus, we'll talk about the fantastic movie "The Boat That Rocked" and why pirate radio's legacy still matters today.

From cramped ships rolling in rough seas to mobile transmitters dodging detection vans, this is the story of the rule breakers who believed the airwaves belonged to everyone - not just the people with licenses.

Topics covered:

• Radio Caroline and the offshore pirate fleet
• The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967
• Land-based pirates and music revolution
• Kiss FM's journey from pirate to legal
• Cultural impact on marginalized communities
• "The Boat That Rocked" film discussion

Contact & Social: 

• Email: [email protected] 
• Facebook: fullymodulated 
• Instagram: @fullymodulatedpod

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Fully Modulated is not affiliated with or endorsed by any station, media company, or network. All opinions are solely my own.

On this bonus episode of Fully Modulated, Tyler drops the curtain on the weirdest holiday in broadcasting: National Radio Day. Why August 20th? Who actually invented radio? And what happens when the whole country suddenly remembers the tower selfie folder on their phones?

Tyler digs into the chaotic, disputed origins of National Radio Day, spins stories about how radio became the most personal mass medium on the planet, and shares why radio still matters in a world ruled by screens and algorithms. You’ll get tales of World War II newsflashes, wild morning show stunts, and the timeless agony of dead air.

This episode busts radio myths, unpacks a few engineer legends, and gives practical tips for making National Radio Day special—whether you’re running a big stick, a one-room LPFM, or just listening from your kitchen table. Plus, you’ll hear the strangest thing ever found in a transmitter building, and a few facts you’ll want to drop at your next engineer’s lunch.

If you’ve ever wondered why radio has so many birthdays, why people still care, or what makes this medium so stubbornly magical, this is the episode for you. Happy National Radio Day!

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In this final chapter of our special series, The Story Behind EAS, Tyler Woodward explores how emergency alerting is moving beyond familiar tones and crawls into a new era of rich data and smarter delivery. From the Common Alerting Protocol to NextGen TV, the systems that warn us are becoming faster, more precise, and more connected than ever.

You’ll hear how artificial intelligence is helping emergency managers detect threats in real time and how social media is reshaping the way alerts spread through communities. We also look ahead to a future where your phone, car, and smart devices all work together to keep you informed.

Whether you work in broadcasting or you’re simply curious about the systems that protect us, this episode will leave you with a clearer understanding of how technology is transforming emergency communication.

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Ever wondered who actually pushes that button sending jarring alerts over your radio and phone? The answer might surprise you - it's usually not someone in Washington, but your neighbors working in county emergency operations centers.

Most county EOCs aren't glamorous command centers but rather ordinary rooms in courthouse basements or sheriff's departments. Inside, dedicated professionals monitor weather radar and emergency feeds, making critical decisions about when to interrupt your favorite show with potentially life-saving information. They use IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) to create standardized messages that flow through a complex network of broadcasters and wireless carriers.

What's fascinating—and concerning—is the dramatic disparity between different counties' capabilities. While major metropolitan areas maintain fully-staffed operations with modern technology, many smaller communities rely on a single emergency manager carrying a laptop everywhere to ensure they can respond after hours. Some counties aggressively use alerts to protect residents, while others remain overly cautious, fearing public backlash from "false alarms." This creates a patchwork of inconsistent practices across the country.

Behind every alert is an intricate relay network outlined in state EAS plans. Local Primary stations serve as the main distribution points, while State Relay stations bridge communication between state emergency centers and broadcasters. Despite increasing automation, human relationships remain crucial—engineers and emergency managers must coordinate regularly to ensure systems work when needed most. When one pathway fails, personal connections often determine how quickly backup plans activate.

The challenges facing local emergency alerting are substantial: outdated equipment held together with creative fixes, insufficient staffing in smaller communities, unreliable internet connections, and the delicate balance between alerting promptly and avoiding alarm fatigue. Yet dedicated professionals continue working with what they have to keep their communities safe.

Want to learn more or share your own alert experience? Email [email protected] or follow the link in the show notes. And if you found this information valuable, please follow and review the podcast wherever you listen.

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Fully Modulated is not affiliated with or endorsed by any station, media company, or network. All opinions are solely my own.