[wsfii-discuss] FW: OpenFM - Adapted Launches its New Open Source Radio Station

[Juergen Neumann]

FYI: 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Laura Drewett [mailto:ldrewett at adaptedconsulting.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 4:40 PM
> To: Laura Drewett
> Subject: OpenFM - Adapted Launches its New Open Source Radio Station
> 
> OpenFM - Adapted Launches its New Open Source Radio Station
> cid:part1.00040109.03030201 at adaptedconsulting.com
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> Contact:
> Laura Drewett
> [T] 
> +1-202-292-4242 / +1-647-722-5629 ext. 5011
> [E] 
> mailto:ldrewett at adaptedconsulting.com ldrewett at adaptedconsulting.com
> [W]
> http://openfm.adaptedconsulting.com 
> http://openfm.adaptedconsulting.com
> RADIO ADAPTED FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD;
> Adapted Consulting Inc. Launches its New Open Source Radio 
> Station â??OpenFM
> TORONTO, ON â?? August 21, 2007 â?? At midday in the Sahara, 
> several dunes past Timbuktu, the sun is blistering hot. 
> During the months when the Harmattan winds blow, the air is 
> dense with sand. The strong winds blow constantly, so that by 
> dayâ??s end everything is left covered by a think reddish 
> film of dirt â?? the floors, the furniture and, in the case 
> of a radio station, all of the electronic equipment. Such 
> conditions present their own unique set of challenges. So 
> when Adaptedâ??s Co-Founder, Frédéric Renet, couldnâ??t 
> find a commercial radio that was right for this situation â?? 
> durable, energy efficient, easy to repair and affordable â?? 
> he decided to build his own. From this first design created 
> to withstand the harsh climate of Mali comes Adaptedâ??s OpenFM.
>     OpenFM is a low power, affordable open source FM radio 
> station created for use in remote areas.  The system has been 
> designed with harsh weather conditions in mind; it is able to 
> withstand heat, dust and humidity with little manual 
> intervention. It functions on solar power and so is 
> particularly suited for rural environments that lack 
> dependable electricity. OpenFM consists of a low power FM 
> transmitter; antenna; low bandwidth, low power computer; 
> mixing board; and open source audio software.
> The open source component of the OpenFM is perhaps the 
> stationâ??s most innovative attribute. The design has been 
> registered using the creative commons license, which means 
> that the blueprint of the device is available to those who 
> wish to create their own OpenFM or amend the equipment.
> As fellow Adapted Co-Founder, Ian Howard, explains: â??The 
> ability of the local engineers to modify this equipment so 
> that it can better meet the needs of the community and so 
> that it can be maintained locally is a great improvement in 
> the sustainability of a radio station. A broken transmitter 
> no longer needs to be shipped back to the UK for repairs. 
> Rather, a simple component can be replaced locally.â??
> OpenFM is a part of Adaptedâ??s broader FM Radio Development 
> Program. In building a sustainable design for rural areas, 
> Adapted´s team realized that a traditional business model 
> would not work.
> Adapted instead re-thought the model and, inspired by the 
> open source software used on many of their devices, decided 
> that the design needed to be open. 
> As a service provider first and foremost, Adapted focuses on 
> offering complementary services to OpenFM and other products. 
>  At each project site, Adapted starts with a needs assessment 
> and then seeks to address these needs by offering training in 
> business model development; market analysis; technical 
> training for engineers and radio staff; and joining with 
> partners to provide journalistic training. 
> About Adapted Consulting Inc
> .
> Adapted utilizes technology and business innovations to 
> create sustainable opportunities and enable social change. 
> Adaptedâ??s expertise is founded on private sector and 
> international development experience in many countries, both 
> in the developed and developing world. Adapted applies 
> knowledge to under-developed markets by adapting technologies 
> and business methods to meet the needs of local communities 
> and contribute to lasting positive impact. For more 
> information on Adapted, visit their website at 
> http://www.adaptedconsulting.com www.adaptedconsulting.com
> # # #
>          
> cid:part1.00040109.03030201 at adaptedconsulting.com
>  
>     Contact:
> Laura Drewett
>     [T] 
> +1-202-292-4242 / +1-647-722-5629 ext. 5011
>     [E] 
> mailto:ldrewett at adaptedconsulting.com ldrewett at adaptedconsulting.com
>     [W]
> http://openfm.adaptedconsulting.com 
> http://openfm.adaptedconsulting.com
>