IEEE Brac University Communication Society Student Branch Chapter, on 25th July 2023, organized an industrial tour to Bangladesh Betar National Broadcasting Station located in Agargaon as part of its commitment to bridging the gap between industry and academia. The purpose of this tour was to provide students and members with an opportunity to gain insights into the functioning and operations of a professional radio broadcasting station. The visit aimed to give an idea regarding radio communication systems and enhance understanding of the basics of radio signal generation, transmission, and reception. A total of 23 students took part in this industrial visit, and they were accompanied by two faculties from Brac University Raihana Shams Islam Antara, Advisor of IEEE Communication  Society Brac University Student Branch Chapter, and Abdulla Hil Kafi, Advisor of IEEE Aerospace and Electronics System Brac University Student Branch Chapter, respectively.

Radio broadcasting systems have been providing a dynamic platform for information dissemination, entertainment, and connection to millions worldwide. These systems utilize electromagnetic waves to transmit audio signals, allowing radio stations to broadcast their content to a vast audience of listeners within a specific geographical area. Particularly in rural and isolated locations with little internet, radio accessibility is essential. Even in times of crisis or natural disasters, it is the most reliable source to transmit news for its extensive coverage. It can reach a wide range of communities and serve as a trustworthy source of information and entertainment. In a radio broadcasting system, a radio station acquires content, such as music, news, talk shows, or educational programs, and encodes it into an electronic format. This content is then modulated onto a carrier signal, which is a high-frequency electromagnetic wave. The modulated signal is transmitted through antennas, propagating through the atmosphere to reach receivers, such as radios in homes, cars, or portable devices. “Bangladesh Betar” is known to everyone all over the country. The British Raj introduced six radio stations under the All India Radio project to spread the news of World War II. Under this project, on 16th December 1939, the first Bangladesh radio station began at a rented house in Old Dhaka. During Pakistani rule, the Dhaka station became part of Radio Pakistan. After independence, Bangladesh Betar became the national radio, and in 1983, it moved to the National Broadcasting House in Agargaon. Over the years, Bangladesh Betar has evolved and adapted to technological advancements, becoming an integral part of the nation’s culture and identity. 

The industrial visit was scheduled for 10 am. Participants were instructed to board at the IEEE room to receive all necessary instructions. It was a group of 25 people, with 23 participants divided among four teams and two faculty members. The bus started the journey at 10:50 am. and reached its destination at 11:30 am. Initially, the visitors were asked to follow some security protocols. Then, they were taken to the main control room where Mr. Taposh Chandra Bose, Sub-Information Controller Bangladesh Betar, warmly welcomed them and conducted a brief session with the students before guiding them through the premises. The session was highly interactive, where both the engineer and students took turns asking and answering questions. He elaborated on the radio system’s history, inception, and importance and its existence as a content creator and disseminator of essential news. He also added that Bangladesh Betar simultaneously uses AM(amplitude modulation), MW(medium wave) band, SW(shortwave) band, and FM(frequency modulation) band and different antennas. He pointed to the radio as the heart of communication. The higher the frequency of a radio signal, the shorter the distance it can cover, which is why they mostly choose to work with AM frequencies. He added that Bangladesh Betar has also added a satellite car to its fleet to broadcast news live or remotely. Further adapting to current technologies, he talked about how they have also connected their operations to the Bangabandhu satellite. After this lively discussion, the visitors were offered light refreshments. Next, they were taken to tour the headquarters. The headquarters consists of 11 studios and one auditorium. The studios are echo-proof. The main control room is also equipped with the same feature consisting of holes that absorb the sounds; the tour began in the main control switching room, and the students were then guided through news studios and recording studios. All the rooms have a similar setup, and finally, the tour concluded on the rooftop of the broadcasting station, where the transmitting and receiving antennas and satellite dishes were installed.

Lastly, a crest was presented to Mr. Taposh Chandra Bose by IEEE Brac University Communication Society Student Branch Chapter advisor Raihana Shams Islam Antara. The visit finally drew to a close with a group photo and a thank-you address towards Mr. Taposh Chandra Bose for taking time out of his busy schedule and guiding the group through this excursion.