People's Radio

by Gareth Branwyn

In the rush to use high technology for street/village-level purposes, the vital communication resources of radio are often overlooked. People on the left, in the underground, those possessing "non-consensual" opinions, are not using the avenue of free speech that radio CAN provide. Here are some tips on getting more involved in commercial, non-commercial and "clandestine" radio. These suggestions were gleaned from Sound Choice magazine, issues #15 & #16. Unfortunately, while we were working on this stack, Sound Choice went the way of the dinosaur (read: the American economy) We will sorely miss them.

Call up radio talk shows. These shows are always looking for controversy, so you have a good shot at getting on the air if your opinions are outside the mainstream.
Be a radio talk show guest. Set yourself up as an expert on something that you want to talk about. Make stationery and send a press release. Be rational and sincere.
Start your own radio station! The equipment needed to set up a micro-station is cheaper and easier then you might think. The laws and licensing procedures for such low-watt stations are currently under debate, so you need to be prepared for a fight. Mobile stations are also a possibility.
Sell yourself to non-commercial radio. Get involved in your local non-commercial station. These community stations are usually open to new ideas and are always in need of volunteer help. You may have to start at the bottom and work your way up, but with many of these stations, that might not take too long.
Infiltrate Big Radio. This is the toughest and highest profile road to radio involvement. The trick is finding stations that have horrible ratings and are looking for last-ditch efforts to save themselves. A station in desperate times may be willing to chance a "unique" or controversial show, especially during "dead hours." There are numerous stories nationwide of seemingly uncommercial programs, started by non-professionals, that have survived in the commercial environment.
Lay your hands on some of the resources that follow and read up on further ideas and possibilities:

The Association of Clandestine (Radio) Enthusiasts (ACE)
PO Box 11201
Shawnee Mission, KS
66207-0201.
ACE is a membership organization with dues of $18/year (which includes the monthly newsletter).

Electronics and Radio Hobbyist's Newsletter
Panaxis Productions
PO Box 130
Paradise, CA 95967-0130
$24 for 12 issues.
The editor of Electronics and Radio Hobbyist's Newsletter, Ernie Wilson, also operates a mail-order business selling kits for building your own low-watt stations.

Both of these publications provide timely information on pirate and clandestine radio, along with coverage of the many technical, legal, and political dimensions of this type of radio activity.

Radio is My Bomb: A DIY Manual for Pirates
The Radio Support Group
Left Bank Books
4142 Brooklyn NE
Seattle, WA 98105
1987, 72 pgs., pb, $6.95
A guide to building, securing, and broadcasting. Put together by a group of British anarchists.

Village Radio Owner's Manual
K. Dean Stephens
Vanguard Trust
H C-02
Box 14765
Arecibo, PR 00612
1990, 28 pgs., pb, $5
Build a solar-powered AM or FM station for between $200-2000.

Electronic Equipment Bank
516 Mill Street, NE
Vienna, VA 22180
(800) 368-3270
Free catalog of radio equipment and supplies.

Links:

A.C.E. (Association of Clandestine Radio)

Graphic:Sienkiewicz, Big Numbers

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Gareth Branwyn - garethbranwyn@mac.com
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