100.9 FM in San Angelo TX is defunct a/o January 2018 due to move and adjacent channel commercial FM station that started operations. I am now doing a show on shoutingfire.com. Look for BMIR and Shouting Fire on Facebook for details.

This website is maintained for historical purposes only. Please E-mail tsmt01@spamcop.net if any questions. Thanks!!

***** BROADCAST SCHEDULE (OR NOT)*****

100.9 FM was an LPFM (Low Power FM) station in south San Angelo TX. It was on the air on various Friday evenings into early Saturday mornings. Normal transmissions start around 11:30 PM and wrap up around 2:00 AM. Programming includes an eclectic mix of rock, disco, local artists, and musical junk, punctuated by my pointed (or pointless) commentary on news and matters in life. You will never hear a recorded commercial.

The Friday night broadcasts normally begin with Echoes, by Pink Floyd, followed with FM, by Steely Dan. Any broadcasts at other times will still start with Steely Dan's FM.

You will find "The Rocky Retro Disco Show" on the air on a very occasional basis on other evenings.

100.9 FM ceased all broadcasting operations on 26 Feb 2000, which was the end of the amnesty period granted for unlicensed LPFM operations, per the licensing proposal approved by the FCC on 20 Jan 2000. Please read the last topic regarding FCC licensing for LPFM.

100.9 FM started as an inspiration back in the early-mid 80’s when I was stationed in a city that had no rock stations on FM. There was one on the AM side, WLSQ AM, similar to the now defunct ROC-96 here in San Angelo. Unfortunately, like ROC-96, that station changed its format, in that case, to elevator music. Had it not been for MTV (during its heyday), some decent live rock clubs around town, and the LP collection, survival would have been a tough endeavor.

At about that same time was the news story of the ship based pirate radio station off of the east coast. It was both frustrating and infuriating to see this station being shut down, but it made a statement about what radio had become, and at least gained the persons involved some notoriety. My Scull n’ Crossbones idea and logo were born at that time. However, with no resources nor equipment, and a job where such an idea could have further shortened a career, I never got anything on the air.

100.9FM finally hit the air many years later in December 1994, where it resided on a Ramsey FM-10 kit. Although that transmitter soon proved to be woefully inadequate for the job, it did much to teach me about the fickle nature of RF electronics. The station was a 24/7 operation, based out of my residence. When I was not on the air myself, the programming consisted of DMX from the cable, with due credit and my monthly check given to the source.

Hungry for more power, I began rigging a couple of linear amps in series after the transmitter. Given the dirty nature of the FM-10’s output, this turned out to be an extremely bad idea. Despite low pass filters and other workarounds, the station soon earned itself an interference report from an operator of a two meter transceiver about a mile away. The operator was actually very friendly with me on the phone and discussed ways to get rid of the interference even though I offered to stop transmitting completely. My eventual rework of the low pass filter got rid of most of the interference problem. There have been no complaints regarding interference since then.

The cable company, which despite my prompt payments each month, was most unpleased with this use of its DMX. The cable manager (whom I should really name here) was not as pleasant as the two meter operator, and even went as far as to cite city ordinances against running a business from a residence (this is a hobby), and other such matters relating beyond his concern with the DMX. I thought of mounting a legal battle, mostly on general principle after this manager's irate phone call. I decided that the current job and resources were argument against doing such. Still, I think that manager could have handled this matter in a more amicable way. I am glad to note this person is no longer the manager there.

In any case, I ceased 100.9FM’s 24/7 operations in July of 1996 and went to the occasional late night broadcasts that continued to the present. Without the DMX, a 24/7 operation was more difficult logistically, and there was now concern about what other undesired attention 100.9FM could be gaining.

In March of 1998, I purchased a new transmitter and antenna from the now defunct R. Scott Communications in Canada. This rig has been a vast improvement over the Ramsey and packs a signal receivable in most of south San Angelo. I even have a reception report from a local radio station deejay who was downtown at the time. Not willing to advertise a location nor risk lightning strikes yet, I’ve mounted the antenna up inside a vaulted ceiling in a second floor room. Otherwise, I could get an even better coverage.

With an indoor antenna near the broadcast console, (actually a big stereo with a mixer) there is the problem of hum from RF getting into the electronics. The hum in the mike has probably now become an undesirable trademark. I have tried a lot to get rid of that, short of putting a faraday cage around everything. Chalk it up to lessons learned and getting the transmitter/antenna further away from the rest of the equipment when I relocate.

My format is an eclectic one. Music is mostly based on classic rock but may contain Johnny Cash, CW McCall, some 90’s rock, old disco and whatever else may be in the music library. The music library does not contain, nor will 100.9FM play, any music by Michael Jackson. I solicit input from any local bands in the area who may want their music broadcast on 100.9FM. Out of respect for artists and listeners alike, I minimize talking over beginnings and endings of songs.

(Webmaster note a/o 26 Jun 09: Although I orignally enjoyed Michael Jackson's music, by the time I planned 100.9 FM's format I was sick of Michael Jackson being all over the radio. I was also further repulsed by all the charges of child molestation and decided that any of my broadcast endeavors didn't need to involve this artist. For some reason I had the accurate expectation that Michael Jackson would not live too much longer and had thought about lifting my ban on playing his music on 100.9 FM once he passed. Maybe it's time to retire the hype and celebrate some of his great music which actually fits in with "The Rocky Retro Disco Show". Now with his passing I get to make that decision about the ban when I get 100.9 FM on the air again. RIP Michael Jackson and thank you for the music.)

I recommend that everybody watch the 1978 movie, FM, starring Michael Brandon. This will help to lend perspective on what a quality radio station should be. One of the high points of the movie to me is seeing this garbage can full of commercial tapes getting dumped on one of the corporate executives when the station's DJ's go on 'strike' (so much for that source of income). You'll have to watch the movie to see how it ends.

Despite 100.9FM’s hobby status at the moment, the main purpose is to be an anti-corporate rebel in this vast wasteland of what FM radio has become, not to mention exercising rights to free speech. "It’s the listeners, stupid!!" is the standard slogan. I welcome E-mails (to tsmt01@cox-internet.com), discuss current topics, and try to lend an intelligent voice of reason to all matters. However there are no sacred cows here. Stupid and off-the-wall things may not necessarily be beneath the dignity of 100.9FM on an occasional basis. Pot shots may be made at the local commercial radio stations as well as at 100.9FM itself.

I can appreciate the use of commercials as a revenue source for radio and a way for business to advertise its fine products. However, our San Angelo radio stations saturate the air with ads, to the point where I change the station, put in a tape or CD and no longer give a damn about anything being advertised. I have timed ads during the business day and found nearly 15 minutes out of every hour consists of them. These are poorly written and produced ads at that. They simply consist of somebody blabbering excitedly over some music background. This severely compromises the quality of our radio stations. I'd be curious if the automated equipment at one of these stations jammed, where it was playing continuos ads, how long it would take for anybody to notice.

I think I stand on common ground with most listeners when I say that I don’t turn the radio on to hear the commercials. I am dead set against running any recorded commercials of any type on 100.9FM. However I may plug the occasional business I’ve had good dealings with, as well as review a product or service. Public service announcements and plugs of local events are usually in my program.

It is my intentions to keep 100.9FM at least compliant with FCC part 15 rules and regulations regarding interference with licensed radio stations, and ask that any (actual!) interference problems be reported to me as soon as possible. I welcome all feedback. Please send to tsmt01@cox-internet.com.

On 13 Apr 2000, the house passed H.R. 3439, the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000, which basically negates the whole FCC effort to license LPFM. One shouldn't have to think too hard as to why this vote didn't receive much media coverage. The vote amounts to a slap in the face for a lot of us have-nots, who would like to use part of the electromagnetic spectrum for a most viable purpose. I am sorry to report that Lamar Smith, our Texas congressman whom I wrote regarding this matter, voted aye for this act along with 274 others. The senate has been known to stop some of the mule headed things the house has passed, but I am not sure if I want to hold my faith in this one.

On 20 Jan 2000, the FCC approved this proposal for the licensing of low power FM. The proposal went through a considerable amount of metamorphosis in the process, and some doubt remains as to whether most people wanting LPFM are happy with this or not. The approved proposal included an amnesty period for unlicensed LPFM operations, given that they ceased on or before 26 Feb 2000, if they wished to qualify for an LPFM license.

I ceased 100.9FM's broadcast operations on this date in hopes of remaining compliant with the amnesty period, in the possible interest of a future LPFM license for 100.9FM.

However, this all appears to be moot now. It is very frustrating to see our government succumb to corporate blight.

So, against my possible better judgement, I plan to resume broadcast operations as of 21 Apr 2000.

100.9FM is compliant in regards to third channel adjacent frequencies. It is my intentions to remain compliant regarding FCC part 15 rules on low powered unlicensed broadcasting in regards to interference, and I ask that any actual interference problems be reported to me immediately.

I encourage all to get involved regarding LPFM. My sole voice here needs some help. Please write me at tsmt01@spamcop.net (E-mail address updated) with your questions, comments or whatever you have to offer. Thanks.

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