Greetings all.
In preparation for becoming a bit more active on the Part 15 radio waves (and streaming over the Internet), I have decided to change the name of Artisan Radio - a holdover from when we were located in Artisan Square on Bowen Island - to TheValleyFM. TheValley being the Fraser Valley (in which our studios are located in), and FM being the broadcast band that I've decided to go with.
The web address will be www.thevalleyfm.com. I've also nabbed www.thevalleyam.com, as I will be continuing to experiment with the AM band, but right now, I get about the same range with unlicensed (Canadian) FM regulations as I do with the AM ones in the populated areas (and at the outer fringes of my signal, there is less noise with FM). I do get more distance over open ground with AM (where there are no obstructions), but I find that the coyotes don't listen to FM all that much. I thought about going with the frequencies that I use - i.e., thevalley997 and thevalley1650, but it could get expensive very quickly if I had to change frequencies (and I've done that multiple times over the years).
The web site is not there yet, but should be shortly. I'll probably have to bump up my Internet plan to the next level, but I might wait and see what the traffic is before doing that.
Next up is renewing my SOCAN license, so I can broadcast copyright material.
The Valley FM will be broadcasting primarily a mix of jazz (vintage and some not so vintage), doowop and old time radio. I will be resurrecting a few of the shows I hosted, including Teenage Dreams ('50s & '60s music, mostly obscure, directed specifically at teenagers), Surfin' The New Wave (new wave music from the '80s and late '70s) and my favorite, Slightly Bent (off the wall music and comedy.
I've been scouring the thrift shops and have found a lot of interesting vinyl, including 78's, that I'll be featuring. I'm also in the process of re-encoding a number of 16 inch radio transcriptions that I'll use. Plus I do have a library of past shows that I can start off with until the new stuff gets going again.
Part 15 does get in your blood.
Enjoyed the detailed report on developments at The Valley FM over there, or I guess one should say, up there, in Canada.
Part 15 doesn't just get in the blood, Part 15 IS blood!
Keep it flowing!
I'll be checking the website.