You don't have to worry about missing it, most progs are available for a week after emission on the IPlayer :>http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Yes, I often listen to 'In Our Time' too, my only problem is forgetting to put my speakers on and wondering why it is not coming on!
Thanks for all the suggestions. I just tried clicking on your link Brian, and after a few seconds was listening to Ian Rankin discussing "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" on Mariella Frostrup's book programme. If I can only access Melvin Bragg's "In Our Time" on Thursday mornings I will be happy, and it looks like I should be able to with your link.
My system has been going for 10 years now, I did replace the transmitter once but that was because the battery connectors collapsed. 2nd one came with a mains PSU. Signal is probably good for 25-30 metres.
I just found this on Amazon :> http://www.amazon.com/0-5-Fail-Safe-Long-Range-Transmitter/dp/B003FO4UHW/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1368711593&sr=1-4&keywords=fm+transmitter+5w Looks interesting but would Amazon ship from US ?
Tried that myself Steve. Hmmmmm... Failure. But it works a treat in the car!
I have a Freesat box and feed the audio from that into an FM transmitter that was originally meant to feed a signal to cordless headphones but I now use to re-broadcast R4, R5, BBC7 or LBC to radios in whichever part of the house/garden I'm in. Works a treat but the last time I enquired the transmitters were no longer being made. You might get away with one of the FM transmitters they sell to play the signal from an MP3 player on a car radio but distance will be limited.
Yup On the p.c or via the parabole no radio alarm tho' ( not that you want one now :-) ) Very little flaffing about with freesat just select your favourite station before you nod off, turn the telly off and switch it back on in the morning! If you have a posh telly some can be set to turn on so maybe you can have an alarm.
Bedside radio - dream on. I use my broadband and a laptop, whilst working (ask I supposedly am now) my PC has R4 in the background. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_radio_four and there you go. It is possible with your satellite reception but involves quite a bit of fiddling about.
Right now 'You and yours' ...