Well here I am in the Satellite Watch News. Just when I thought that it was time to rest, OH WELL..... I know that many of us here in Techno land have been watching the events of late, like, " Why do Ken and Barbie say the same things, When we see and know better.."? I could devote a lot of time to all that, but my little niche is here in Techno land and to help by doing just what I do best, help you to help yourselves. We can make a positive difference and we have the tools right at hand, Technology. Why should only Ted, Rupert or whoever be the gate keepers to the current events when we have the means and the time, only lacking a little advice and networking? It is my earnest desire to help those of you out there to help yourselves and maybe have a little fun too. Well, we're on our way!

When I was a boy in the Toledo, Ohio area, we wanted to sail on the Maumee river and Lake Erie. We had never sailed and it was probably dangerous, but we went ahead anyway. We got a sail boat and a book. "Learning how to sail". The first page started "a sailboat is a boat with a sail", and that is where we are starting too. We wish to contact others with our thoughts, music, and exchange current events with radio technology. Let's start with the basics and build from there.

We need to first decide what will give us the most "bang for the buck". The answer is fairly easy, the FM band, more precisely (seeing we here in Techno land must always refine) 88 to 108 megahertz. Interestingly enough, the lower frequencies are actually for the NON COMMERCIAL use. Remember that point, because we are going to expand on that and this will all fit together later.

Below 93 megahertz is a good idea. So lets survey the band below 93 megahertz in your area, so get your little FM stereo radio and a note pad, and start taking some notes. Turn up the volume, tune to 93.5 MHz. and start down. Listen for the stations and make a note as to strength and stability. Hint: Distant (DX) stations will not hold the stereo pilot signal very well and you will have a dark or flickering "stereo" indication on your receiver. Also you want find a frequency AWAY from ANY local FM stations. Remember, you are trying to encourage listeners to listen and you will not get this result if you cheese them off (EH?). At worst, you will get more attention than you want. You can do this survey from your home, but you might also try going in your car with someone scanning for you along the FM band. This is one of the best ways to do the job. Also you might also work the local Patriot community for any standard FM frequencies to use for easy location for people from out of town traveling through your area.

I am going to start with the very basics (the boat with a sail!) and build from there. This is where you came in. I need your questions to fill in all the gaps. This is your column! We will, for this discussion, start with the transmitter (the sending unit). Most of you will want a stereo unit. With the new technology available this is easy and cheap thanks to the chip on which this resides. Also, the most inexpensive way is through the kit avenue of acquisition. One of the most popular is Ramsey. There are, however, several others that supply kits and wired versions. In practicality, a SYNTHESIZED model , such as the Ramsey FM25A, is the most stable, but more expensive. I recommend this kit, however, because of the "set it and forget it" mode of operation. This is good because most of us have a life and a day job too. Program sources, such as mics, CDs players, satellite feeds and, yes, even LP's can be used. Even if these are in mono, the stereo feed will handle it well. A small mixing console is a plus. I will go into these extras later.

In the meantime you may want to try your hand at putting together a simpler kit and see if that is for you if you have not done it before. Also, don't overlook any like-minded folks with this skill already in place. If you must, you can purchase these kits pre-assembled, however, you will not be as likely to be able to fix them later, when Murphy's Law rears it's ugly head. I will field questions on the building of these kits as time permits. Remember these companies have tech staffs that are paid to help you troubleshoot.

I hope that you will look at this as an information source too. There are several of us here that have many years of electronics background and, if nothing else, a bigger hammer!

Also on a serious note, Why micro broadcasting? As this goes to the word processor we are seeing what seems to be a cover up by ??? as to the TWA 800 crash and the unanswered questions for the survivors of that terrible moment in time. Need I say more??? Go to it people, it is a solution awaiting YOUR activity.

I'll be waiting for your e-mail. Oh yes My email address is docazoid@i-star.com... And good night, Megan!