FLIPSIDE #2  Copyright May 1995

Michael Folk
810 Dalewood Drive
Villa Hills, Ky. 41017
(606) 341-2543
folk@one.net
        
        Welcome again to another issue of the ACE.  We all receive benefits 
from our subscriptions but should remember that there is a lot of work that 
goes on behind the scenes in order to get each issue into our hands every 
month.  The ACE does not generate a significant profit.  During the recent
Kulpsville fest, John Arthur contributed a large amount of time in order to 
man the ACE booth and among other things, sell raffle tickets which generated 
portion of the funds allowing the ACE to continue.  If you get the chance, 
give him a thank you for all of his efforts.

        Black Rider Radio wrote and asked for a way to publicize the play list
from their shows.  I will try to eventually include all of them.

BLACK RIDER RADIO #1

LUCKY DAY OVERTURE Tom Waits: The Black Rider (Island, 1993)
CANDY CORN Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band: Mirror Man (One Way, 1973)
HEART OF WISDOM Thubsten Gelek: Tibeten Music From Ladakh and Zanskar
        (Lyrichord, 1983)
BREATHING Art for Less: Confounding Ourselves (self-release 1989)
HORN TIRO Art for Less: Confounding Ourselves (self-release 1989)
THE HAIRY EYEBALL Henry Kaiser: Marrying for Money (SST 1988)
LUCKY DAY Tom Waits: The Black Rider (Island, 1993)

BLACK RIDER RADIO #2

THE BLACK RIDER Tom Waits: The Black Rider (Island, 1993)
NOVEMBER Tom Waits: The Black Rider (Island, 1993)
LA GRANGE Henry Kaiser et al.: Crazy Backward Alpahbet (SST 1987)
THE THOUSAND AND TENTH DAY OF THE HUMAN TOTEM POLE Captain Beefheart and the
        Magic Band: Ice Cream for Crow (Virgin, 1982)
PENNY LANE The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour (Apple, 1967)
THANKSGIVING PRAYER William S. Burroughs: Dead City Radio (Island, 1990)
LUCKY DAY Tom Waits: The Black Rider (Island, 1993)

        The May issue has again generated questions.  Reports direct from the 
horses mouth indicate that although propagation at certain locations may have
supported a trans-atlantic broadcast and even though the QSL's received are
European styled, The Voice of Scotland was undoubtedly of North American
origin.  Things are sometimes only obvious when your mind is already made up.

        If the comments presented from a long-time ACE member are correct
representations of her words, it would be interesting to find out how a group
of operators who represent a significant percentage of all recent loggings and
who just happen to be on 43 meters are going to "ruin it for those who come
along later"?  Just how in the world could any operator ruin the chance for 
any future operator to broadcast?

        I have an answer to the question regarding "multi-data" sheets.  The
sheet I received from CUMM listed all of the broadcasts from that station.  It
does not say anything about being "multi-data" but it certainly is a catchy
and accurate description.

        On a personal note, I received a call from an operator and during the
conversation he asked how many verified stations I had collected in my less
than two years as an ACE member.  I could not answer him.  QSLs are not the
primary reason I listen to radio and frankly, I had not bothered to keep 
score.  Some have suggested that QSLs are the only reason people listen.  It 
is evident that for many, QSLs are an important facet of the hobby.  I could 
not help but chuckle however at recent statistics presented.  I went back and counted and
discovered that in less than two years, I had managed to be "bubbling just
below" the 100 mark.  What is ironic about the situation was a review of the
stations represented.  A majority of them used SSB.  I wonder how many I 
would have failed to hear if they were pushing most of their output power into 
an AM carrier?  A majority also were those vile 43 meter upstarts who have the
audacity to follow each other in order to build an audience.  I again have to
wonder how many I would have failed to hear if they had exhibited the "good
taste, class or intelligence" to pick some unique frequency?  Finally, I noted
that a significant number came from "stupid" events like Insanity and
SWLiberation.  Thanks to those operators for all of their "time and effort".

     Another operator checks in with a question: "I don't understand how using
popular frequencies is a 'Commercial Broadcasting Concept'?  Perhaps you would
care to enlighten the less-informed?  Where was I when the vote was taken to
decide this didn't have a place in Pirate Radio?"  I wish I had the answers.

        One topic that I had hoped to be able to address in this column is
the growing use of computers.  For those of you with internet access, you
have no doubt already discovered the rec.radio.shortwave and alt.radio.pirate
newsgroups.  It is amazing to watch the number of people who will post to 
these groups without a care in the world regarding security.  Typical are the 
posts in alt.radio.pirate which tell how the author is setting up a new free 
radio station.  Of course, there at the top of the post are the name and 
internet address.  Papers from a recent FCC visit leave no doubt that the
FCC has access to and uses this information.  

     One way to at least provide a bit of security is to use one of the anon
servers.  They act just like a maildrop.  Your name and address is removed 
from the message and a code is put in their place.  When someone responds, 
the mail is sent to the anon server which then forwards the message to you.  
Nothing is completely secure but using an anon server is a real good idea if 
you email information that could come back to haunt you if the wrong people 
read it.  Send email to help@anon.penet.fi for instructions on how to use the 
anon servers.  At least one station supplies an anon internet address.  Email 
for Radio Doomsday at an260316@anon.penet.fi is sent and returned anonymously. 
No stamps and more private than a maildrop.  Nemesis does not have the best
record but it may be worth a try now that he has been resurrected.

        Have a question or concern raised by information in the ACE?  That is
what Flipside is for.  See you next month. 


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