DRIVE
BY RADIO
One option to consider is what has been termed “drive by
radio”. If you are not sure whether you want to commit to a
fixed studio location right off, then drive by radio might be the
best solution for you. Basically, it entails the setting up of a
portable broadcast operation at a public event or gathering of one
sort or another. For a period of time, Free Radio Berkeley operated
a weekend station at a local community flea market – it was
called “Flea Radio Berkeley”. Our motto was
“Creating the itch the FCC cannot scratch out.” Powered
by a car battery, the station covered a radius of several miles
with an output power of 6 watts. It was a perfect way to introduce
micropower broadcasting to the community, enlist support, recruit
new programmers, and give the community another way to express
itself. It is unlikely that the FCC will present a problem for this
type of broadcasting, given previous experience. Equipment needed
for this includes: a 6-20 watt transmitter; an antenna (a j pole or
5/8 ground plane antenna would work best); 25-50 feet of coaxial
cable; a 70-100 ampere car battery or deep cycle marine battery; a
small battery operated mixer; at least one microphone; a portable
CD player; various audio and power cables; and a mast and stand to
support the antenna. All the equipment should easily fit on a small
table.Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to affix the
antenna and mast to an existing structure or upright sign pole.
Carry some extra hose clamps (3-5 inches in diameter) to enable
this process. You can use a three-foot antenna mast tripod bolted
to cinder blocks, one under each leg mounting foot (use a masonary
bit to drill out the holes to match the hole pattern on the feet).
Another option, if you are handy with welding, is to weld a
three-foot steel pipe whose inner diameter is slightly larger than
that of the antenna mast to a steel plate about two x three feet in
size. Weld the pipe perpendicular to the plate and drill and tap a
hole at the top of the pipe to accommodate a large set-screw to
hold the antenna mast in position. Drive your car or truck over the
steel plate so one tire rests directly on the steel plate; this
will securely anchor it. Drop your mast with antenna attached to
the other end into the pipe and tighten down the set-screw to keep
the mast from rotating. You can use about 15 feet of mast in this
situation or more if you use a push up mast and guy
wire.