Here's one for newbies: If you have an extra pair of
decent-sounding computer speakers, an FM radio and an FM transmitter,
you can set up a decent-sounding Internet radio shelf system for your
living room or den. (Or you can buy all these components for under
$100--or for $50 at Goodwill).

I woke up this morning and began playing with these particular audio
components, and I got the hankerin' to setup a decent-sounding
Internet radio audio system. First I connected a decent pair of
computer speakers (which has a separate woofer) to my portable FM
radio. Next I connected my $20 Belkin TuneCast FM transmitter to my
PC. Finally, I tuned in to my favorite Internet radio, and voila! I
finally have a decent-sounding Internet radio audio setup.

So easy to set up! There are a few drawbacks, though--one of which is
that I have to adjust the volume levels on three of the components:
the PC, the FM radio, and the computer speakers. Another drawback is
that this setup requires at least two outlets (in my case, three),
depending on whether you're using batteries or AC to power your radio
and your FM transmitter. Yet most of the more sophisticated solutions
on the market also require at least two connections to a wall outlet
anyway, since you usually have to use your PC in conjunction with
them. So it's not too much more of a hassle unless you are really
strapped for outlets.

On the plus side, the setup is cheap and works well for a small
apartment. I keep my PC within 10 feet of my shelf system, so the
TuneCast transmitter works fine with my setup. For those of you with
larger abodes, you may want to opt for a transmitter with a farther
range, like one of C.Crane's FM transmitters--it'll cost you a little
bit more than $20, though, unless you can find a cheap used one somewhere.

Of course, you can always bypass the transmitter and radio and just
plug your PC directly into the speakers, but that would require a
long-ass cable--especially if you, unlike myself, live in a
regular-sized home. But for folks like me, who live in
dormitory-sized living arrangements, the transmitter setup works
beautifully. I may opt for the long cable eventually, but with my
current setup I can refer to it as "radio" with complete sincerity.
Until I can afford a more elegant solution, this will do just fine.

----
Harold
http://voyagerradio.blogspot.com/