RS Components (RS)( https://au.rs-online.com/web/), a trading brand of 
Electrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM), a global omni-channel solutions partner for 
industrial customers and suppliers with operations in Australia( 
https://au.rs-online.com/web/) and New Zealand( https://nz.rs-online.com/web/) 
has released RadioGlobe, an open-source DesignSpark engineering project that 
features a real globe as its user interface. By turning the globe, users can 
tune into internet radio stations from around the world.

RadioGlobe has been designed and released in collaboration with well-known 
British technologist and inventor, Jude Pullen. The project was commissioned to 
celebrate the 10th anniversary of DesignSpark and the release of the latest 
DesignSpark Mechanical Version 5.0 software, with the goal of enabling human 
connection through technology.

DesignSpark( https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/home) is an online design 
community and resource centre for makers, students and design engineers. It was 
launched in 2010 to provide design engineers and students around the globe with 
a comprehensive range of free-of-charge software design tools, technical data 
and development resources.

Jude commented: "The idea behind RadioGlobe came from RS Components' roots in 
supplying spare parts to radio repair shops, which led me to think about how we 
could make the radio experience more modern in a hyper-connected world using 
both physical components and digital technology. I think that DesignSpark and 
other maker communities will love this project, as it is open source and will 
therefore evolve with a truly global input of creativity and talent."

Jude and his extended engineering team designed RadioGlobe using RS' 
free-to-download DesignSpark Mechanical and DesignSpark PCB software and used 
3D printing technology for the construction. A Raspberry Pi 4 module 
interfacing to two high-precision rotary encoders track the longitude and 
latitude of locators positioned over the globe. This enables the Raspberry Pi 
to tune into an internet radio station transmitting from any global position. 
Music fans simply hover on a location to select any of the thousands of music 
radio stations available globally.

The DesignSpark RadioGlobe is an open source project, available for anyone to 
re-create and re-model. All of the CAD files and code are available on the 
DesignSpark website and GitHub in various formats, along with a bill of 
materials listing all the products required for the build. A step-by-step 
tutorial guide is also provided.

For more information about RadioGlobe, visit the DesignSpark website here( 
https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/how-to-build-a-3d-printed-radio-globe-to-tune-into-radio-stations-from-around-the-world-1).


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