Hi guys,
Hope all's well on the radio front.
I was thinking, I suppose the Part 15 hobby is divided in to two general spheres; those that are in the hobby for the technical aspects, or those that are in it for the programming possibilities. Me, I'm definitely in the latter camp.
It's with that in mind that I have a tongue in cheek idea here, something that might appeal to the more techy side of the hobby: I was wondering would anyone be interested in relaying my station on a spare tx they may have? Maybe you have a rig that needs programming but you don't have the time to be doing all that programming stuff; you just want something to air, to keep that rig going, whilst you modify the signal strength and reach.
Or maybe you are attracted to the thought of providing a wider range for programming to your listeners / location, and a station you don't have to spend time programming and sourcing shows for, yet provides something unique for your location, is something right up your street.
Total Country FM does exactly what it says on the tin; it plays total country, from Classic Country, New Country, Country and Irish, Folk, and Americana. There's presented programmes from Nashville TN, Fort Collins CO, San Antonio TX and Angle Fire CO, as well as from Ireland, the UK and Belgium. The station includes country music news each day and some community notices too. There are some local adverts, but these have been offered to local businesses free of charge to help them during the pandemic. Like your station, Total Country FM is a labour of love and costs me. I don't make anything out of it. I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest. (A hobby that pays you isn't a hobby; it's a job).
The station is available online via its website www.totalcountryfm.com, various mobile apps, via Smart TVs and smart speakers.
You could simply take the online feed - whatever online feed you find appropriate, and plug it in to your tx: and hey presto, you'll have a 24 hour country music radio station with an Irish twist.
Why am I suggesting this? Well, despite the fact that the station has listeners all over the world via its online platforms, there's still nothing like being on air terrestrially, is there?. I think you know what I mean. It's real! Oh, and wouldn't it be cool to say that Total Country FM is on the air in MN, or NY, or FL or IL, or OH?
If interested in pursuing this, e-mail me at [email protected] where I'd be delighted to chat, and see what we can do.
Thanks guys,
Hope you have a great evening.
Pat
You are right....nothing like over the air radio! I am "old school" so to speak.
Another forum member who does album rock would have liked me to do what you are offering....just take the stream from my computer and transmit it locally. Promoting album rock in my area.
It's a good idea as someone wouldn't need to compile their own playlist or programming as you pointed out. All coming from a distant location. That's what a lot of commercial stations do as they don't have record libraries and DJs playing records with turntables in front of them.
I am oldies but that includes some country also in the mix. I had thought of running two stations here...one the oldies and classic country on the other. But have never followed through since I can mix some country in the playlist. Would also need two processors, transmitters(Procasters,Decade MS-100) computers etc, not cheap.
Listened to a bit of yours and nice! I just love Sara Evans and other 90s and early 2000s country when it was still country but with a Rock flavor to it.
Yours is a great idea for someone starting out and don't have a playlist of their own.
Here's one problem I see. Local station Ids. I also have my own jingles and station Id's and with the feed from you for example I wouldn't have that. I see you are in Ireland? I am in Toronto Canada and your station Id's may Id you from your location not mine and my frequency wouldn't be mentioned. I wouldn't be homegrown so to speak. I also have my disclaimer announcements operating with BETS-1 rules Canada and I give out an email for any comments.
Also in Canada, all programing must originate with you, that applies to unlicensed stations only! Copyright.
I thought of offering my playlist to anyone wanting to do oldies without their own playlist.
Nice of you to offer this, and nothing like old fashion over the air transmission listening to it playing on a nice old radio.