Magic Radio is a popular radio station in the United Kingdom that broadcasts adult contemporary and pop music. It is part of the Bauer Radio network, which is one of the largest commercial radio networks in the country. Magic Radio was first launched in 1990 under the name Magic 105.4 FM, with the frequency referring to its location on the FM dial. It quickly gained popularity for its music selection, which focuses on feel-good hits from the 1960s to the present day. The station's target audience is adults aged 35 and above, although it does attract a wide range of listeners.
Inside The ‘Magic Radio’ Protecting Russian Drones From Jamming
FPV drones are a signature weapon of the Ukraine conflict, and jammers to stop them are a matter of life and death. Both sides have fielded jammers and drone guns firing a beam of radio waves to knock out drone communications, said to take out thousands of drones a month. Now a Russian group claims to have developed a ‘magic radio’ for FPVs which is highly resistant to jamming. A physicist with the handle DanielR evaluated the device minutely in a detailed Twitter thread.
“From a technological perspective there is nothing surprising here,” DanielR told me. But the device does make efficient use of cheap, off-the-shelf components.
Racing quadcopters converted into cheap kamikaze drones are used by both sides. They are capable of diving into foxholes and bunkers, chasing down trucks, and even destroying main battle tanks from five or more miles away. Often jamming is the only protection, but this device claims to nullify it.
The station's target audience is adults aged 35 and above, although it does attract a wide range of listeners. Over the years, Magic Radio has undergone several rebrands and changes to its name, but it has maintained its commitment to playing music that makes listeners feel good. It has a roster of well-known presenters, including Ronan Keating, Harriet Scott, and Angie Greaves, who bring their own personalities and experiences to the airwaves.
Off-The-Shelf Electronic Warfare
The first thing DanielR notes is that while Russian Telegram channels hail the Hermes Anti-interference Communication Kit as an all-Russian creation, it is made with imported parts.
“The Russians removed the labels from the most important piece, but they need not have bothered,” he notes.
The item is still easily identifiable as a RAK3172(H) wireless module made by Chinese company RAKwireless, which DanielR calls “an easy-to-use, small-size, low-power solution for long-range wireless data applications,” available in different radio frequency bands online for $5.99.
This is a device for LoRa, short for Long Range, a radio communication technology designed for low-power wide area networks by electronics giant Semtech in 2014. LoRa has become a standard building block for Internet of Things applications and the hardware is widely mass-produced. This makes it attractive for FPV builders, especially given its flexibility.
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“The LoRa radios have always been able to operate on different frequencies and this ability has been used throughout the war,” says DanielR.
LoRa uses little power and can communicate at up to three miles in urban areas and five miles or more in the open. Many drone operators now use a repeater, carried on another drone, to extend the reach.
DanielR notes that Hermes' “magic antenna with filter” looks like a half-wave dipole antenna. Because the size of antenna corresponds to the radio waves it picks up, he estimates that it operates on a frequency of about 930 Mhz. The antenna is fitted with a balun (short for "balancing unit") and a surface acoustic wave filter, both of which improve performance. DanielR says these too are commodity items costing about $.50 and $0.40 respectively.
The device has a 3D-printed plastic case and is likely operated with an STM32 microcontroller, a standard component in electronic devices made by a company based in Switzerland, with an LED display.
Hermes charges around $140 for a transmitter unit equipped with their technology, which DanielR says should allow for a healthy profit margin. Russian companies are notorious for labelling imported devices as "Russian-made" and charging over the odds, like the infamous rebranded Chinese quadcopters sold as made in Russia at a markup of around 200%. But it is still dirt cheap by the standards of military electronics.
Hermes remove the labels from components but these are still easily identifiable.
In addition to playing music, Magic Radio also features a variety of shows and segments that cover lifestyle topics, celebrity interviews, and entertainment news. The station aims to provide an enjoyable and uplifting experience for its listeners, whether they are tuning in during their morning commute or relaxing at home. Magic Radio has also embraced the digital age, with a strong online presence and the availability of its programming through mobile apps and smart speakers. This allows listeners to enjoy their favorite music and shows wherever they are, making it even more convenient and accessible. Overall, Magic Radio has become a beloved station in the UK for its carefully curated music selection and entertaining content. It has managed to stay relevant and adapt to changing technology while maintaining its focus on providing feel-good tunes and a positive listening experience..
Reviews for "Unlock the Magic of Music Discovery: Magic Radio's Recommendations for New Artists"
1. Tom - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Radio" as I've heard great things about it, but I was ultimately disappointed. The selection of songs was not diverse enough and they seemed to play the same songs on repeat. I also found the DJs to be quite irritating with their constant chattering and cheesy jokes. Overall, I expected more from a station with such a supposedly magical reputation.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - "Magic Radio" didn't live up to its name for me. While there were a few enjoyable songs, I found the majority of the playlist to be outdated and repetitive. I also didn't appreciate the frequent interruptions of ads, which disrupted the flow of the music. Overall, I expected a more enchanting experience from a station called "Magic Radio".
3. Alex - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to discovering new music on "Magic Radio", but I found myself disappointed. The song selection was incredibly mainstream and lacked any true diversity. It seemed like they were playing it safe with songs that were already popular rather than taking risks and introducing listeners to fresh, under-the-radar artists. I wouldn't recommend "Magic Radio" for anyone seeking a more unique and alternative music experience.
4. Emma - 1 star - I cannot understand why "Magic Radio" is so highly regarded by others. The playlist consists of the same tired old songs that I've heard a million times before. There is no variety or excitement, just a repetitive loop of overplayed hits. I would much rather explore other stations or music streaming services that offer a wider range of songs and artists. "Magic Radio" is definitely not for me.
5. Jake - 2 stars - I was hoping for some magical music experience, but "Magic Radio" fell flat for me. The DJs were annoyingly talkative and often interrupted the songs with their unnecessary comments. Additionally, the station seemed to focus too much on promoting their own events and contests rather than providing a smooth and uninterrupted music listening experience. Overall, I found "Magic Radio" to be more of a hassle than a pleasure to listen to.