The Artisan Radio Blog

June 1, 2023 22:13 Pacific - New Surfin' The New Wave Show

In addition to the aforementioned Trump special, I am also working on an LGBTQ Anthem Surfin' The New Wave special.  I'm also looking into doing something similar for Teenage Dreams, which should be fascinating, given the attitudes of the time period involved.  Again, stay tuned for schedule announcements.

June 1, 2023 22:05 Pacific - Correction

I made a mistake in an earlier blog post.  I mistakenly stated that the Canadian BETS FM field strength had been higher in the past, but has now been lowered to match the U.S. Part 15 field strength.

I actually meant RSS210, not BETS.  BETS field strength maximums were and currently are 100uv/m at 30 meters.  RSS210 field strength maximums used to be identical to BETS, but were lowered to match those of Part 15 FM (250uv/m at 3 meters).

It is definitely advantageous to use a BETS-certified FM transmitter in Canada, and there is only one currently available, the Decade MS-100.  The Decade CM-10 is discontinued, but was also BETS certified, and one was just available recently on e-bay (used).  It is basically a reworked CZE Chinese transmitter (with the output amplifier removed), and it is the quality of the Decade MS-100.  It works adequately, although you have to use it on lower frequencies to get the maximum field strength.

May 26, 2023 22:32 Pacific - Surfin' The New Wave Donald Trump Special 

We're just putting the finishing touches on a special Donald Trump episode of Surfin' The New Wave, with special guest (musically speaking) Ron DeSantis.  We've had to leap forward 35 years to do so (Surfin' the New Wave generally deals with the 1980s) but felt it was worth it considering the current political climate in the U.S.

I was a bit leery going into this project, as I'm generally not a fan of modern (anything after 1990) music but I was pleasantly surprised at what I found.  The artists include Moby, Milck, Sloan and Tim Heidecker.  There are even some that are more in my comfort zone, such as Loudon Wainwright III, Tom Paxton and reworked songs by Neil Young and Carole King.

Stay tuned for when the show will air.

May 25, 2023 11:57 Pacific - Correcting the "Undisputed Resource" of Part 15 Broadcasting 

Today, there was a post on the so-called "undisputed resource" for Part 15 broadcasting about transmitters available in Canada.  Unfortunately, it was highly inaccurate, and I thought I'd give out correct information.

First of all, one aspect of Canadian license-free intentional radiators that was totally ignored was the difference between the rules for unlicensed broadcasting (BETS) and everything else (RSS210).

If you are going to enter into a broadcasting endeavour (that's how Industry Canada puts it where your transmissions are intended for the general public), you must follow the BETS rules.  For anything else (i.e., transmissions for your own personal use only, or to cover a specific, bounded, geographic area) you use RSS210.

These two sets of rules differ greatly, depending on whether you use AM and FM.  RSS210 AM is pretty much identical to Part 15 AM in the U.S. (other than ALL transmitters must be Industry Canada certified - kits or homebrew transmitters are not allowed).  But again, you are not supposed to use RSS-210 transmitters for broadcasting.  The only currently manufactured AM transmitter available is the Chez Radio ProCaster, it is RSS210 certified, and there was a case recently where Industry Canada ordered one shut down because it was deemed to be broadcasting.  The Talking Sign transmitter, discontinued, is also RSS210 certified, and sometimes can be picked up used.

There are no BETS-certified AM transmitters in Canada, period.  The rules are also different for BETS AM - there is no 100mw into the final stage/3 meter antenna system rule.  BETS AM uses field strength, and the field strength can be a maximum of 250uv/m at 30 meters.  RSS210 transmitters which are properly installed generate field strengths greatly in excess of that (which is probably why there are no BETS-certified AM transmitters).

Where the "undisputed resource" really went off the rails is its description of FM in Canada.  The only BETS-certified transmitter in Canada is the Decade MS-100 (not even mentioned by them).  All others, and there are more than the Whole House 3 transmitter talked about, are certified under RSS210, and so cannot be used for broadcasting.  These include the Whole Houses 2 & 3, the Broadcastvision AXS-FMT (it's in a bit of grey area, as it has a certification number, but is not in the equipment database), and others whose current manufacturing status is unknown (MYE Entertainment, Cardio Theater, Waio, Canakit) but can be picked up used.  I believe the Panaxis ACC100 is also RSS210 certified, but that could be wrong - I seem to remember that the old model was.

BETS FM uses field strength, much like Part 15 FM in the U.S. and currently the limits are identical.  Another complication is that BETS limits used to be higher, and most of the transmitters were certified under those old limits (100uv/m at 30 meters), including the Decade.  Suffice it to say that using a Decade in Canada under BETS will give you much greater range than using that same Decade (legally) in the U.S.

Concluding, if you're going to transmit to anyone other than yourself in Canada, you should use a BETS-certified transmitter or risk being shut down.  Industry Canada, if they come by, wants to see that certification number.  That leaves you with the choice, at least right now, of either Decade or Decade.

May 8, 2023 16:56 Pacific - This Week on Artisan Radio 

We have some interesting shows in the lineup this week in addition to our regular doses of Billboard hits and misses, jazz, etc.

Wilson Beach Radio (Monday at 5PM, Saturday & Sunday at 9AM) spotlights the year 1974, with songs by the Beach Boys and friends.

Teenage Dreams (Tuesday at 5PM, Saturday & Sunday at 11AM) features dance crazes and songs about dancing from the late 1950s and early 1960s.

101 Below (Wednesday at 5PM, Saturday & Sunday at 1PM) features music from the 1960s that bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100.  This week, proving that even highly successful artists can have misses, there are no fewer than 7 bands and singers from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, not including Frank Sinatra (and they don't get any bigger than him).

Surfin' The New Wave (Thursday at 5PM, Saturday & Sunday at 3PM) features live performances of great 1980s studio hits (as well as some obscure records).

The theme of Rock Around the Rockpile (Friday at 5PM, Saturday & Sunday at 5PM) this week is Carlene Carter (the then wife of Rockpile's Nick Lowe) & the Cash Family, including collaborations with Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Johnny Cash.

May 3, 2023 13:18 Pacific - Surfin' The New Wave 

This week, the theme for Surfin' the New Wave is dance music.  New Wave and dance aren't opposites.

Here is the playlist:

1. David Bowie - Let's Dance (12 Inch Version)

2. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus

3. Adam & the Ants - Goody Two Shoes (Chris Hughes Single Mix)

4. The Cars - Tonight She Comes

5. Iggy Pop - Real Wild Child (Extended Mix)

6. The Eurythmics - Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves (Extended Version)

7. Duran Duran - The Reflex (Extended Version)

8. The B-52's - Love Shack (Extended Remix)

9. Alphaville - Jet Set (Jellybean Mix)

Surfin' The New Wave is played Thursday at 5 P.M., repeated Saturday and Sunday at 3 P.M., all Pacific times.

Addendum: The theme for the next show is 'Live Performances', playlist to follow.

May 3, 2023 13:07 Pacific - Teenage Dreams 

This week's Teenage Dreams is all about Answer Songs.  Answer Songs, popular in the Teenage DooWop period, were sequels, or follow-ons, to popular songs.  They were generally an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the original song.

Here is the playlist (in the format original song, followed by the answer song):

1. Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol

2. Carole King - Oh Neil

3. Dion - Runaround Sue

4. Linda Laurie - Stay At Home Sue

5. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight

6. Dodie Stevens - Yes I'm Lonesome Tonight

7. Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him

8. Ricky Nelson - I Will Follow You

9. The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack

10. The Detergents - Leader of the Laundromat

11. Paul Anka - Lonely Boy

12. Annette Funicello - Lonely Girl

13. Ben E King - Stand By Me

14. Damita Jo - I'll Be There

15. Johnny Cymbal - Mr. Bass Man

16. Lou Christie - Mr. Tenor Man

17. The Shirelles - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

18. Bertelle Dache - Not Just Tomorrow, But Always

Teenage Dreams is played Tuesday at 5 P.M., repeated Saturday and Sunday at 11 A.M., all Pacific times.

Addendum: The theme for the next show is 'Dance Crazes & Dancing', playlist to follow.

May 3, 2023 11:57 Pacific - AI - The Biggest Fraud of the 21st Century 

It seems that the topic of AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is virtually everywhere.  Increasingly outrageous claims about what it will be able to do in the future are made routinely.

What most people don't realize is that there is no such thing as Artificial Intelligence.  What is referred to as AI is really just yet another way of programmatically solving problems using a computer.  There is no real intelligence behind it, other than that of the programmer.  Heck, we don't even know what our intelligence really is, or how it really works, so how can we then impart intelligence onto a computer?

If you ask one of the so-called Chat GPT's why it came up with a certain answer, and drilled down on it with the right questions, you'd eventually end up with 'that is how it was programmed'.  These apps don't really understand what they're doing or saying, they're programmed to mimic reasonable responses.  In other words, 'baffle them with b***s***'.  There is no sentience.  They will not have 'Eureka' moments where new ideas come into play.  There's nothing behind it, other than the original programmer.

I say, use these things at your own risk.  The danger is not that they will eventually take over the world.  It's that people, who are fundamentally lazy, will take their answers as valid, without doing the necessary fact checking and thought required to solve any problem.

So, don't believe all the hype.  The computer world is famous for its hype.  I could tell you stories...

April 9, 2023 12:34 Pacific - Social Media 

After a brief foray into social media, I'm back here.

I honestly don't understand how people can read the crap on Facebook, Twitter, etc.  It's good for connecting with family, but they force you to read other garbage, and believe me, most of it is garbage.

I'd rather have a blog that few read than be involved in that cesspool.

And on that note, I'll mention that we've changed a few things in our schedule here at Radio Radio.

The overnight Book Readings are gone, at least for now, replaced with alternative & New Wave '70s & 80's music.

Everything Sherlock has moved to 9PM Pacific, replaced with an extra hour of Billboard Hits.

We may do some more tweaking as time goes on, but for now, that's it.

We're working on new Surfin' The New Wave shows, the first being Canadian new wave.  And we're also working on new Teenage Dreams shows, the first theme being 'Lonely'.

We also have a new show in the works - The Vinyl Hour - in which I play 45's and comment in real time.  Should be fun.  Scary, but fun.  We're hoping to have a video feed with the show as well, accessible via the website.  That's the plan, anyway.

March 20, 2023 15:10 Pacific - Teenage Dreams #25 

Currently working on Teenage Dreams #25 (Theme: The Telephone).  Tomorrow, Teenage Dreams #22 will play tomorrow at 5pm Pacific (Theme: Teenagers), repeated on Saturday & Sunday at 11am Pacific.  Teenage Dreams #23 (Theme: Breaking Up) will play the next week, followed by Teenage Dreams #24 (Theme: Colors), and then a remixed repeat from 2012, Teenage Dreams #16 (Theme: Kissing).  #25 will play after all that, towards the end of April.

Teenage Dreams #25 Playlist:
1 Rick Randell-Take My Name & Number
2 Kerry Adams-Telephone Numbers
3 Donna Lewis-Call Him Back
4 The Orlons-Don't Hang Up
5 Paul Anka-Kissin' on the Phone
6 Belmonts-Such a Long Way
7 Shelley Fabares-Ronnie Call Me When You Get a Chance
8 Dante-Ring or Write or Call
9 Brenda Holloway-Operator
10 Chuck Sedacca-Busy
11 Marvellettes-Beechwood 45789
12 Claudine Clark-Telephone Game
13 Leroy Van Dyke-If a Woman Answers
14 Johnny&the Echoettes-I Called You Up

15 Johnny Burnette-I Just Called to Say Goodbye
16 Sherry Ray-Telephone Please Ring
17 Gladys Knight&the Pips-Operator
18 Hollywood Flames-Drop Me a Line
19 Dolly Parton-Busy Signal
20 King Bees-Give Me Your Number
21 Joy Dawn-Hang It Up
22 Johnny Caruso-Telephone Talk
23 Mary Wells-Operator

It should be a great show, with a lot of obscure music, mixed in with some classic hits.

March 19, 2023 18:33 Pacific - Going Live 

The testing for the new Artisan Radio has gone well, with only a few glitches that have been fixed.  So we're going live tomorrow!

To be honest, there won't be much difference between the test mode and live, other than we're repeating the hosted shows at 5pm Pacific, as well as Everything Sherlock.

We have a bit of a dilemma in promoting the station.  We're moving off Facebook and Twitter, due to a general loosening of rules on those sites.  Mastadon, here we come...

March 06, 2023 07:56 Pacific - Test Mode 

Well, we're now running in test mode (since late last night).  There are a few things left to do.  Currently, the news is being manually updated several times a day and that process has to be automated to update on an hourly basis (we're using Voice of America international news, which is in the public domain).  We also have to add more sweepers, and figure out how to intro/promo Artisan Radio on a semi-regular basis.  That may have to be custom recorded.

Our new schedule can be viewed via the Artisan Radio home page.

Any feedback, suggestions and comments are welcome.

If all goes as planned, we should go 'live' Monday, March 13 (after the time change).

March 02, 2023 15:20 Pacific - SOCAN 

Artisan Radio is now licensed by SOCAN.

February 22, 2023 14:38 Pacific - The New Artisan Radio Status 

Things are running along smoothly.

We're in the process of getting SOCAN and Re:Sound licensing set up.  Because we're so small, they don't seem to be in that much of a hurry to get it going, but I'm confident that it will be in place shortly.  I'm not particularly impressed with the customer service of either of these organizations.

A big chunk of our new programming is Billboard Charting Hits - initially it will be all the songs that made the Hot 100 chart, as well as the Bubbling Under chart, from the period 1957 to 1966 ( approximately 8000+ songs).  It should be noted that the Bubbling Under chart only started in 1959.  We will gradually extend that period both at the back and front ends to add at least another 2-3000 songs.

Anyway, that programming is complete.  All audio normalized, silence trimmed, voice tracking added.

We're now starting on Lost Jukebox, which compromises the bulk of the remainder of music programming.  This consists of songs that didn't chart at all, for the period 1964-1973 (currently around 7000 songs, with more to gradually be added after launch).

Still up in the air are the hosted shows.  There will be some new shows (one that I'm particularly excited about is Wilson Beach Radio, which consists of everything Beach Boys related and hosted by noted Beach Boys expert, Jeff Bleiel) as well as some returning shows (such as Teenage Dreams - I already have 2 completed with another well underway).  More on those and how they'll be scheduled later.

February 12, 2023 07:49 Pacific - Changes

There are big changes coming to Artisan Radio over the next few weeks and months.

We plan on obtaining a SOCAN license here in Canada so we can once again stream (and broadcast) copyrighted music.   We are also going to obtain a Re:Sound license, that will cover copyrighted musical performances.

Our content will also be changing to a mixture of music and spoken word.   A summary of some of the changes is below:

- All Hot 100 Billboard charting songs for the 1960s.  We might also do something with CHUM charts, but that's still up in the air.

- New 101 Below shows, featuring the songs that bubbled under the Billboard charts (i.e., they did not make it to #100 or above), for the 1960s.  We're hoping to get the original show host back.

- Vintage jazz, from the 1930s, 1940s & the early 1950s

- Vintage opera and classical recordings

- Short book readings (approximately 60 minutes) that are in the public domain.  We'll likely focus on mystery and detective stories, such as Sherlock Holmes, Arsene Lupin, Max Carrados, Father Brown and others

- New Teenage Dreams shows, featuring teenage-oriented music from the late 1950s and early 1960s, hosted by yours truly

All that, and more.  Things are still in flux.

This blog will continue, but focus primarily on our content and station news.

Our Facebook page has been resurrected (well, it never really got off the ground, but we'll start copying the blog content there as well).

It's our intention to also put shows such as Teenage Dreams, the new 101 Below, etc. up on a service such as MixCloud, which will make them available to audiences world wide.  The service that we choose must take care of copyright issues outside of Canada, as that's not something that we want to tackle (it requires yet another type of copyright license), at least right now.

Of course, our over the air service will continue on FM, broadcasting under BETS-1 rules for Canada.

Look for our updated schedule, coming out shortly.

Note: This post has been edited to reflect the fact that we've decided to also get a Re:Sound license - it is relatively inexpensive for non commercial stations.

February 12, 2023 07:38 Pacific - Teenage Dreams #22

Here is the playlist from the upcoming Teenage Dreams show.

1. Eddie Stevens - Teen-Age Bachelor

2. Linda Sampson (Linda Scott) - In-Between Teen

3.  Tommy Lane - Teenager's Lament

4.  Jimmy Jordan - Teenage Tears

5. Reparata & the Delrons - Whenever a Teenager Cries

6. The Dellwoods - She's a Serious Teenager in Love

7. Lefty Frizzel - Heaven's Plan

8. Karen Lake - When I'm Not Teenage Any More

9. Dave Flanery - Teenager's Dream

10. Sam Cooke - Teenage Sonata

11. Jan Sanders - Teenagers Three

12. Dion - Lonely Teenager

13. Linda Carr & the Impossibles - Happy Teenager

14. The Bobbettes - The Teenage Talk

15. Barry Mann - Teenage Has Been

16. Chris Crosby - Teenage Dream

17. Dean Christie - Teenage Jezebel

18. Garry Mills - Top Teen Baby

19. Woody Thorne - Teenagers in Love

20. Tracey Dey - Teenage Cleopatra

21. Tom & Jerry (Simon & Garfunkel) - Two Teenagers

22. Roger Douglas - Teenagers Forever

As you can probably ascertain, the theme of the show is teenagers.

We're still gathering the necessary equipment to properly record the commentary for the show.  Look to this space for more updates as to the timing of the drop, and schedule.