Gadget clinic: Bobbie Johnson gives advice on how to reduce the sound of television studio audience

The World Service no longer broadcasts to western Europe on shortwave, saying its broadcasts via satellite, cable and the internet are enough. Is there a portable option for those on holiday and without web access or satellite TV? WorldSpace, the biggest satellite radio provider, doesn't have a dedicated European service at the moment - but the World Service does broadcast for free over its West Africa beam. That means you should still be able to pick it up using a portable receiver such as the Tongshi DAMB-R (around £120, from WorldSpace.com). The other option is Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a new alternative to DAB that's already being used by the BBC around Europe. A portable receiver like the Morphy Richards DRM costs around £200, and you should be able to use it at home and abroad. You helped someone who asked how to... [read full story]