What: Community Cable Public Access TV Channels And  Radio  stations	Why: We need competition.	How: Educate Organize	Who: YOU  (150-300 volunteer DJ/News/Talk hosts =300 different views/cultures.	10/10/00:  Only ONE Week to go!  If we can survive US Senate action to ban LPFM until Senate adjourns, we win and get on the air!
See our application to the FCC for a Low Power FM broadcast license! Click	Click to receive alert when this page is updated • Powered by NetMind •

If you are not in Richmond, we have resources you can use to help us or the groups in your area: President Clinton The White House Washington, D.C., 20500 VOICE Comment line: 202-456-1414 FAX         : 202-456-2461 Lookup Senator Contact Info Lookup your NPR affiliate here And finally, you can show our Video SlideShowSeries "NPR To Kill Church/Civic Radio?" on your Cable Public Access system.

What Radio Free Richmond 
Needs to get on the air:

• YOU,helping us help you create a space where you have impact, where you matter,
• Educating your-self and others on the issues ... (see below)
• regularly visiting this website (make it your "start" page)
• joining our email list, (email us)
• joining our phone tree list (include your phone number in your email)

 

President Clinton The White House Washington, D.C., 20500 Email Clinton here VOICE Comment line: 202-456-1414 FAX         : 202-456-2461 Senator Robb: SR-154, Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510  804-771-2221 or 202-224-4024  or Fax: 202-224-8689 Senator Warner : 225 Russell Building Washington, D.C. 20510 804-771-2579  or 202-224-2023  or Fax: 202-224-6295 Outside Virginia: Lookup Contact Info The Richmond Virginia NPR affiliate is WCVE88.9FM and TV Channel23/57 and you can call them at 320-1301

• YOU, taking four actions:

 
• Priority 1:  Call, Fax, Email or best of all, write President Clinton, ask him to follow-through on his threat to veto any bill that has language that would harm the rollout of the FCC's approved Low Power FM plan that Radio Free Richmond and over 1200 others nationally would use to get on the air.

 
• Priority 2: Call, Fax and Email your Senators. Ask them to Support LPFM by supporting SB2989, the Kerrey/McCain "Low Power Radio Act of 2000" and take their name OFF SB3020 and/or OFF SB2068 or SB2518. 

These three bills would would fatally harm, delay or outright ban Low Power FM and thus kick thousands of churches and educational radio stations off the air.
 
• Priority 3: National Public Radio president Kevin Klose is using tax money to support the anticompetitive activities of the commercial broadcasters to kill LPFM.

CALL YOUR LOCAL NPR AFFILIATE (look up here) and ask them to support LPFM. 
Mention that there are NPR affiliates who were not asked by NPR president Klose if they wanted NPR (a membership organization!) to oppose LPFM! 
Brasher, "I felt a little like a citizen might feel if he woke up one morning to find that a new president had been elected, but nobody told him there was an election. Frankly, I really doubt that the position taken by the officers, and I understand, this Board, represents the true feelings of the men and women who work in National Public Radio and in our stations.!" 
 

Pass this evidence of misrepresentation of NPR affiliated membership wishes on to your Senator and President Cliton as well!
 

• Priority 4: You can either:

 
• 4a: Download our "Million Email March" text and forward it to your friends, assocates and organizations that you work with ...

 
• 4b: Or Dowload our 28 minute Video SlideShow and put it on your local Cable Public Access station ...

Million Email March for LPFM

FINAL LAST CALL FOR LPFM
COMPOSITION AND RELEASE 10/3/00

Dear friends ....and friends of friends.

You may not yet have heard of LPFM. It is a 
new FCC approved low power FM service. It was 
designed to return a small portion of the radio 
airwaves to each of our communities so that the 
music, news and culture that reflect our interests
and values might be broadcast locally in city after city.
(see way below for a full story on LPFM)

We are rapidly approaching a fork in the road
whereby LPFM either lives or dies. This is about 
people taking a stand that sets the radio agenda for
generations to come. This is one of the few 
opportunities where your voice can really make
a difference in public policy.

I know you get lots of E-mail but in the next few days, 
we will be telling you about some very immediate matters
that we NEED your help with. Please read all the E-mails 
we send,  and take action, as the crucial decision of LPFM's
existence is now more than ever up to your support.

For the first time in over 50 years there is at hand 
an opportunity to substantially return radio airwaves 
to the people. You can help! 

---------------------------------------
MILLION EMAIL MARCH FOR LPFM
---------------------------------------
The opposition to LPFM radio have unfortunately 
succeeded in adding the bill 
(S3020, "Broadcast Preservation Act of 2000) 
that would kill the vast majority of LPFM stations 
as a rider to an appropriations bill. 
In order to get that bill off the appropriations 
bill and stop it we must "Make a Federal Case" out of it, 
we must MAKE A STINK. 
Thus we need you to join in a MILLION EMAIL MARCH FOR LPFM. 

Please take the actions below ...
but most importantly pass this on ...
far and wide...informing friends...
and setting off a wave of action.

==================================

ACTION STRATEGY: 
Please print out for your friends who may not be online.

Please in each of the following Action Categories CC 
[carbon copy email] your correspondence to the 
Senate Champions for LPFM:
Senator MCCAIN  : John_McCain@mccain.senate.gov
Senator KERREY  : qmail@kerrey-cms.senate.gov

And for our archives and count please CC : radiorat@earthlink.com
 

=======================

1) LPFM is a Presidential Case ... 

Contact Clinton and tell him that you want a veto on this 
no matter what they attach it to. 
Shut the government down if necessary. 
but demand a veto.

Call or Email President Clinton:  President@whitehouse.gov
VOICE Comment line  : 202-456-1414
FAX         : 202-456-2461
 

2) LPFM is a Campaign Issue  .....

Call and Email VP GORE, 
tell him to confront Bush on this issue!!
Bush has already indicated that his choice for 
FCC Chairman is the leader of the vigorous opposition. 
They want to get Bush in office and then 
kill LPFM for ever. Gore can let the voters know 
this and add some fuel to his campaign.
 

Call or email VP Al Gore:     Vice.President@whitehouse.gov
VOICE Comment line  : 202-456-1414
FAX         : 202-456-2461
 

For your friends who lack email:
The White House
Washington, D.C., 20500
 
 

3) Get your Senator to demand that S3020 
  "Broadcast Preservation Act of 2000"
  that would kill most LPFM stations,
  be considered fully in its own right ...
  VOTED ON SEPARATELY with full floor hearings, 
  not as a rider to an appropriations bill.
  (you could mention that these riders could   )
  (delay them getting back home for campaigning)

  Better YET, get your senator to support and switch
  his signature on to S2989 "Low Power Radio Act of 2000"
  Bipartisanly Sponsored by Senator McCain and Kerrey.

(In Virginia)
Senator Robb:    804-771-2221 or 202-224-4024   senator@robb.senate.gov

Senator Warner  804-771-2579  or 202-224-2023   senator@warner.senate.gov

(Elsewhere Lookup your Senator here)
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ziptoit.html

--------

4) And ... NPR Radio should NOT continue to
  oppose LPFM. 

You could point out that Michael Brasher, manager of
NPR station KANW in Albuquerque NM stated to the 
NPR board of directors that he runs a 100,000 watt 
station, does NOT OPPOSE LPFM and
WAS NEVER ASKED FOR HIS THOUGHTS.

NPR claims to represent NPR stations ... but here is 
one huge station that has openly stated that they
SUPPORT LPFM and would prefer that NPR stop opposing 
Community and Church Radio stations.

Furthermore, NPR has gotten EVERYTHING they demanded
and then some out of the FCC as concessions and
yet NPR *management* STILL opposes LPFM.
 

NPR President Kevin Klose:  kklose@npr.org
voice:  (202)414-2000
Fax:    (202)414-3329 
635 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C 20001
 

------------------------
MORE INFO  \/ and at 
Radio Free Richmond http://members.aol.com/wrfr
Congressional Testimony http://members.aol.com/wrfr/HR3439-counter.html
Save Small Local Radio  http://www.myfreeoffice.com/radiocitizen
Digital Disaster    http://www.digitaldisaster.org
APPLY LPFM STATION:     http://www.myfreeoffice.com/radiocitizen/RADARCH.html
Natl LPFM Applicant's Committee      http://rad4rest-of-us.tripod.com/
 

Sincerely,
Farid Alan Schintzius, President
Christopher Maxwell, Secretary
Virginia Center for Public Press
Radio Free Richmond Project
LPFM Applicant for 92.7

1621 W Broad St.
Richmond, Va. 23220

804-649-WRFR

wrfr@aol.com

http://members.aol.com/wrfr
 

PS: If you are REALLY a dedicated and dramatic activist, 
    take your oldest junkiest radio, 
    smash it with a hammer 
    and send it to the Senators etc, 
    with a note "Don't Break Radio, support LPFM!"
 
 
 
 

 
• Help us get the word out.
• Forward our "Million Email March for LPFM to your friends ... Click Here to download (a text file) the Email to send out ...
• Call the editors of your publication of choice. Ask them when they are going to provide substantive coverage of the Low Power Radio Service and the Radio Free Richmond Project. They need to know that this is an issue that is of interest to their readers. This way they will know that their advertisers would appreciate being placed around the reporting on this issue. If they will not cover it, then they become that much more irrelevant to getting your interest. If they have covered the LPRS in  substantial detail, THANK THEM!
• Get/Copy our latest broschure/Spring 1999 newsletter named "Murrow's Hope". Read it online here ... or email us your snailmail address and we will mail the hardcopy version to you.
• Pick up the latest Television & Entertainment(free TV guide) at Hannaford's or Ukrops. Here you can find many updates in a column covering radio and freedom issues etc. by Maxwell Scott.
• Call/email us with information on those who you know are sympathetic to our cause

 
• Donate the materials and services we need to proceed

 (see below for constantly updated list)
 

WISH LIST:

• Help with reaching out to interested parties (Alternative music bands, Civic Organizations, Interest Groups that are generally ignored by Richmond Radio ...)
• a chance to speak to their audiences
• a banner promo on the bottom of their posters.
• mention on their mailings

 
• Introductions to sponsors who can pay for our mailings, posters, billboards etc.

 
• Inventory of your skills and connections you have and email that to us so we can figure out who can help us with what at a critical moment. Thanx.

SERVICE NEEDS:

IF YOU KNOW:	WE NEED HELP WITH:
Sympathetic people...	Sharing this web site and this wish list with them. Copying/handing out brochures. To friends and their clubs/churches etc. With us at events and info tables Getting signatures on the petitions (click here to view/print). Getting brochures stocked in stores. Places with a public view to put banners promoting Radio Free Richmond. Introduce us to their club/ civic organization etc. To speak at their meetings (outreach) Have a table at their events Appear in thier newsletter Appear in their mailings Appear on the bottom of their posters Their help creating programming that addresses their needs/culture.
Sympathetic local business owners...	Putting Brochures in their store Sponsoring Radio Free Richmond newsletter and brochure printing/distribution (mailing).
Band members	To appear at their shows, announcements onstage. Go thru the crowd to get signatures on petitions. To appear on the bottom of their posters.
Style Magazine Advertiser...	Asking them to convince editor of Style to give us/LPRS issue decent news coverage (with "more information" callout box).
RTD Advertiser...	Asking them to convince editor of RTD to give us/LPRS issue substantive coverage (with "more information" callout box).
WCVE88.9FM Public Radio Underwriter...	Introduction and help getting them to sign letter supporting the Low Power Radio Service at the FCC.
Engineer...	Building/Setting up studio and transmitter.
Lawyers ...	Setting up infrastructure, applying to the FCC, negotiating with the FCC ...
Videographers/editors	Help reaching out with edited video on Cable Public Access
Fund raising experts...	Getting us money.
Grant-Writers...	Getting us money.
PC programmer and PC engineer to help...	Set up studio robot to take over when volunteer not available:  Plays audio files at predetermined times. Detects silence and takes an action. Detects end of sound file and switch to external feed. Switch between external feeds and play a sound file in-between and at top of the hour. Plays PSAs and songs from station archive under the simple control of DJ/Host.
Writers	Editing our press releases, website, newsletters etc.
Cellular Phone service	To organize while mobile.  To simulcast a mobile event like a neighborhood block party or a live local band.
People who can help with copying/printing	Creating Banners and Posters, Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts
Somebody insured who can move a  50' tower that has been donated to us.	Phone Service
Electronics repair technician	Fix our RCA ProEdit Camcorder Model# CC540   (needs a viewfinder, AV in plug, user guide)  Fix our Fax machine (Murata M1200)   (Says "Error 06" on the panel)

 

MATERIAL NEEDS:

Need excellent digital FM tuners	Need studio equipment
Money	Brochure display holders
Electric tabletop stapler	Folding machine that handles 14" sheets sideways and will fold multiple sheets at a time
A postal stamp machine (with or without stamp cartridge)	Uninturrutible Power Supply(s) (or help fixing ours).
Banners	T-Shirts and printing thereof
Stuff to auction at fundraisers.	Palm Pilot(s) to organize with
Computers for sound, (PSAs, archived/backup songs etc)  Computers for Internet (web page, up and downloading audio files for sharing with other stations and use on ours.)  Computer to take over when volunteer unavailable/late etc.  Computers for office functions	Cellular Phone to organize while mobile
Cellular (PCS Digital) Phone to organize while mobile	Software that would help  Audio automation software for when a volunteer cannot come in.  Front Page
FM 210 mile range Yagi Antenna	Tower to put antenna on
Viewfinder for Camcorder (RCA ProEdit  model#CC540)	A fax machine.
Business Cards	Subscriptions to Magazines/Newspapers not available at the Public Library:  (Extra, Z Magazine, Mother Jones, New Republic, The Nation etc.)
Subscription to Industry Journals (like Gavin etc.)	Multi-Mailbox answering Machine

-And of course, money. The sooner you can part with $100, or $60 ... the sooner we get on the air.
Write checks to the Virginia Center for the Public Press that is sponsoring the Radio Free Richmond Project.
DON'T forget, we are a tax exempt educational organization.

Any questions? email us, or call 804-649-WRFR

Radio Free Richmond
seeks to be a light unto those who are not illuminated by existing commercial, religious or public radio stations.

We will play the News Views Jazz and Blues techno and free-form other radio stations would rather not use.

In this way we will contribute to a stable and just society where everyone can become who they want to be.

We seek to enable the weakest links in our society to become strong  so that no-one can thrive on the pain and weakness of others.

Get on the air before 2000: 

sign petition

 

More information on the LPRS

 

Effort to defend our ability to hear WDCE 90.1FM as well as any new LPFM stations.

Read more details on the LPRS in Spring'99 Newsletter "Murrow's Hope"

Subscribe to eMurrow's Hope

.......

------------------------
WHAT IS LPFM?
------------------------

The Big Broadcasters have had the rules bent for decades to make room for their 40,000 and 100,000 watt stations to squeeze onto the dial and spew horrible morning shows and repeat the same music over and over and over ... 
for DECADES!

Now a few thousand churches, educational and community civic groups want to get the same deal and make space on the FM dial to build affordable radio stations to bring those stories, values, culture and music that the big religious, NPR and commercial networks can't be bothered with. 
Your stories, values, culture and music.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) received 13,000 requests for a slot to 
build a station in 1997.

Thousands of "pirate" radio stations have taken to the air for $1000 each or less. 

The FCC received over 3000 *formal* comments in the Low Power FM hearings, more than any other issue in FCC history!!

And so the FCC created the "Low Power FM" broadcast service. Designed to be affordable (less than a new car) and protected from the big boys (only new and only new local ownership can apply for one).

LPFM has BROAD *public* support, half of the LPFM applicants are (often) conservative churches, half are educational organizations or radical change organizations. 
Ralph Nader is the only presidential candidate 
to openly support LPFM.

And the Big Broadcasters know this and can't stand the competition. The Big Broadcasters are trying to cut costs, cut jobs by running all their radio stations by remote control. They don't want to have to hire back that staff because some 98 watt LPFM weakling is doing a better job on local music, culture and news than they can remotely. 

And so here we are at the tail end of a Senate Session. They were due to adjourn last week. 
Many Senators want to go home and campaign for reelection.

The Big Broadcasters are working hard to get our Senators all lined up to kill LOCAL COMMUNITY AND CHURCH radio 
that would increase their expenses because they would have to compete with us for your heart and soul.

The Big Broadcasters hope that President Clinton will not follow through on his promise to veto 
any bill that harms Low Power FM.

We need to provide Clinton with the support he needs to veto anti-LPFM legislation no matter what.

We can do that by asking our Senators to *drop* their signature from the "Broadcast Preservation Act" and ADD THEIR SIGNATURE TO SENATOR McCAIN and KERREY's "Low Power Radio Act of 2000" (S2989)

Yes, they will say that they will be seen as "flip flopping", 
but you must tell them that it is better to show leadership 
and change your position when found to be unfair 
than stick to something that is harmful.