Was BM better without the radio stations? With live music?

Kinetic · Post by **Kinetic** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 8:48 am

Cabelas was closing out the Ultimites and I almost bought one...but 1850 surge watts at 1/2 the cost of even Cabela's closeout was tough to beat.

If you really want quiet, I'd seriously take a look at the Honda and especially the Yamaha units that Southwest Fastener & Supply in Reno carries. The units lack the bulky generator, the 4 stroke engines feed into a small internal inverter. The power is cleaner than commercial or grid power, and the units lack the bulk of other generators. The sound level can run from 49 to 59 db depending on load, 60 db is normal conversation levels. The one that Flux had next door to me was so quiet people didn't know it was there...which is also nice to prevent theft.

The units also throttle themselves down to adjust for load, and also have the nice battery charger hookups on it. I will have one for next year and retire the Coleman. I go camping on float trips and other spots and need the super quiet genny so while it costs a bit more $600 for the 1000 watt unit, they really are the best you can get.

I also want one unit that doesn't weigh a ton and can fit in the back storage area of a sea kayak. That makes it more interesting...the small Yamaha will do just that with a little creative hatch work. I actually used it to power two small trolling motors and powered a sea kayak with them last year. That got some interesting looks!

Kinetic · Post by **Kinetic** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 8:49 am

Post 200! Wheee!!!!

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

Thank you e-playa!

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 7:10 pm

We ran a radio station from 2000-2002, and I missed doing it this year. We stopped because of the cost, not the FCC thing ( I heard that was a Hoax started by BMIR to get rid of competition). We all agreed to have a smaller camp this year, with no gasoline, no generator, no sound system. It was nice to go and not camp right on sound row (though Pinky's was right down the street, and they were LOUD)But Imissed playing Balinese gambalon and whale songs on sunday morning...and I missed the Tsound Tsunami...and Pink Floyd...Long Live VFR (Vulcan Free Radio!!)

Ranger Mickey · Post by **Ranger Mickey** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 8:17 pm

And we missed you!

Radio at Burning Man is almost my favorite part. I've wanted to record a whole week of it and then assemble some "best of" CDs. The chatter in the 90s was priceless...

I hope you're broadcasting last year. Mmmm, gambalon.

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 1:28 pm

I hope you're broadcasting last year. Mmmm, gambalon.

Last year was a great broadcast year, the Tsound Tsunami was my favorite. We would edge out of the sounds of the surf with music, pink floyd on a couple of nights, and led zeppelin once, and ALL the big sound installations on 10 an 2 were playing it it was fucking awesome. Would love to see(hear) something like that again. You could ride you bike way out on the playa and it surrounded you, it was huge, and a great beak from the beat heavy dance oriented music. We, sadly, will not be broadcasting next year, as we won't be there, but that is another story.

Fuzee · Post by **Fuzee** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 9:45 pm

I am in shock. Pirate radio shut down?! What a waste. I hate to say it, BM is being tamed. And why is it even a question if BM would be better with only live music? Why ban radio or DJ? This is a nightmare.

JonoVision · Post by **JonoVision** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 1:13 am

stu wrote:> Also, saying karaoke is "bad" is redundant.

Not if it's Jono, it isn't.

<blush> I owe it all to my playa voice and the late great Mr.Cash.

Dr. Zarkov · Post by **Dr. Zarkov** » Wed May 26, 2004 6:37 pm

Well, I guess nobody here heard it, but Radio Free Burning Man was broadcasting just like it has since 1994. We were a legal, low-power station but we had live DJs playing music and information 24 hours a day when we were broadcasting, and our signal could reach most of the Playa. We deliberately mount only small speakers so we won't blast the neighbors in the immediate vicinity of the station, but otherwise you should have been able to pick us up on your boxes.

I was camped at the Nile Room, across from the Solo Collective and we did have a problem with Radio Electra, which was right across the street and made it impossible to pick up any other channel on our radio. Their exterior speakers were loud at times, but the guy who ran the place was nice enough to turn them down when we asked.

I could only pick up BMIR on the exodus on Tuesday and the information on traffic was consistently 30 minutes late -- telling people it was a good time to leave because traffic was moving when an accident had it all backed up, then reporting the accident after it had been cleared and traffic was moving again. In 2002, when RFBM shared the station trailer with BMIR and I controbuted to both stations, it was worse. One the day we had the thunderstorm my campmates were warning others to get off high structures nearby. About ready to start my shift, I knocked on the door of BMIR only to find no one was there, and that was the case most of the time I stopped by the station that year. They were playing pre-recorded interviews and features.

Apparently there is some sort of backstage politics in the BM administration that cut RFBM out of the loop in favor of BMIR. I didn't start attending BM until 2002 so I don't know the reasons, but my impression -- and I have worked in radio before -- is that RFBM was much more professionally managed than BMIR. God help attendees if there is a real emergency, which was the reason BMIR was ostensibly created, and they keep running the station the way they have.

Dr. Zarkov

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:59 pm

I heard that is was someone at RFBM that started the FCC rumor in order to erase competition....This year Burning Man is sponsored by Disney Dollars, which you can use to buy chai in the cafe. or so I heard.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:26 pm

Since there really isn't a tv station, and there are limited radio stations, the likelihood of the entire population being informed of an actual emergency is far better.

Since 2001, The BMIR & RFBM has been wonderful for the Pottie Project, puting on the PSA's about pottie awareness. In 2002, I had to go from radio tower to radio tower to get the message out that the potties were in a state of crisis. Last year it was two visits...the DJ's were immediately so all over it.

Otherwise, I ignore radio stations, and incidentally listen to music in the city. Way too busy.

Dr. Zarkov · Post by **Dr. Zarkov** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:27 pm

RFBM had nothing to do with the FCC problem. In fact, the BM org used the FCC thing as their reason for banishing RFBM to the far reaches of the Playa, even after we had proved that we were operating legally.

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:38 pm

hey dr zarkov
sorry for that rumor mill, In fact I think I got you guys confused with BMIR, which I heard propagated that rumour in order to shut down more radio stations, so they wouldn't have so much competition. I stopped by Radio Free burning man, and had a friend who deejayed a great funk set (dj small change).
CF

Rockstar · Post by **Rockstar** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:44 am

After considerable research on my part as well as a couple of other broadcasters on the Playa. We never were able to prove or disprove the information we were given by the org about the FCC gearing up for a raid on Playa Broadcasters. I filed a Freedom of Information Act Request to the FCC in May of 2003 . There was no information I received that indicated any complaints had ever been filed concerning Burning Man or Broadcasters at the event. There were documents they indicated that were not disclosed due to what the FCC called an "On going law enforcemnt investigation" in Northern Nevada. I believe this was not about us. Later that year they supposedly did an enforcement action in the Reno Area. So that may have been it.

The playa radio broadcasters were a hugly interactive community both on and off the playa. That is no longer the case. Before the FCC scare of 2003 we shared information, equipment, and advice. We even had a social gathering on the Playa where we all got a chance to meet each other and talk about radio. Most, if not all of that is gone, as are most of the broadcasters. We lost about 2/3 of the radio stations last year over this.

Some people view this as good since the FM band at BM was heavily congested in previous years . Nearly the entire FM band was covered with stations. Many times signals over laped and interfeared with other stations. Now there is just a few and most of them are not on the air 24 hours or even broadcast the entire week of the event..

I am not willing to accuse the Org of creating this with the ulterior motive
of wanting the band for BMIR or to gain listeners by driving away other stations. It doesnt make sense and there is no evidence that this was the case, only innuendo and rumor. I would be more apt to think that it was more to appease the LEO's by distancing themselves from what was in most cases illegal activity. Even they were allowing an unlicensed radio station KDPW on the work ranch, which in 2002 could be heard in BRC. That has been shut down as well.

I think the answer is the Org's desire to comply with laws instead of violatiing them. As well to make sure that there is no appearance that the organization supports illegal activity. One of the first steps was to remove the Broadcasters e-mail list from BM servers. It now belongs to us, not them so there iis not the slightest appearance of supporting what *might* be illegal activity. This in the broader picture appears to be the real reason. As to whether there was ever a threat? I tend to believe that something was said to them by Law enforcement officers, but maybe not the FCC, but some a some point somone with a badge said something. That may have been enough to start the snowball rolling down hill.

So Does the FCC know what was going on with radio broadcasting at Burning Man in previous years? Yes they did, we had known that for several years due to conversations some of our radio community members had with thier agents in the past, off the playa. But since we were remote and not bothering anyone they had no compelling reason to investigate further. How long that will continue remains to be seen.

Gary
Radio Electra

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:36 pm

Gary,
thanks for clearing that up, that makes good sense. The years I spent broadcasting at BM will be forever cherished.
lovingly,
the chickenfish

long live Black Sabbath

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:06 pm

I don't really get the title of this thread. there's hardly a time I don't remember a radio station being on the playa during the event. Maybe initially perhaps (91-94?) but then I wasn't into listening to my radio back then any more than I am now.

technopatra · Post by **technopatra** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:44 am

um...wait a sec...lemme get this straight...

So Zarkov, you are saying that among the thousands of competing distractions folks have at Burning Man, the Project's Board and BMIR (which, from what I understand, only got FCC approval because is it our only emergency broadcast system) conspired to use the FCC regulations as a smokescreen to run RFBM out on on a rail in the name of competing interests and marketshare grab? Interests that have no monetary value, fame, recognition, karma points, or schwag and marketshare that purchases nothing and will adhere to no common belief system?

OK I understand how much fun it is to villainize the organizers, but come on. If you believe that I've got a bridge to sell you...so that I can divert all traffic to the other one, muahahaha!

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:29 am

NO

A II Z

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 12:30 am

Apollonaris Zeus wrote:NO

A II Z

Fuck! Size doesn't count!

A II Z

Ranger Mickey · Post by **Ranger Mickey** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 1:49 am

I'll say it again, in case the broadcasters (and ex-broadcasters) haven't gotten enough Ranger Love:

I missed you guys in 2003. Every year I drag a solar-powered radio up to the playa and revel in the multitude of offerings. It was sad having such a quiet and orderly radio scene this year. I think we are all the lesser for it.

I hope the un-event of last year will bring more radio stations back out on the playa, although I heard several folks say that they don't want to be where they're not wanted.

Thank you for what you've done, and I hope you do lots more of it in years to come.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:59 am

But when they want to make it hard to hear your neighbour 200 yards away in another camp, is this not a question?

Funny you should ask that. Stay tuned....

buckethead alien · Post by **buckethead alien** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:13 pm

Ranger Mickey wrote: I hope the un-event of last year will bring more radio stations back out on the playa, although I heard several folks say that they don't want to be where they're not wanted.

<td width="130" height="133" align="center"><img src="http://www.hobbytron.net/media/fm10a.jpg" width=250 height=175 alt="fm10a.jpg" hspace=3 vspace=3 border=0></td>

http://www.hobbytron.net/R-FM-10-A.html

Plug in a 9-volt and your iPod, stuff it in your backpack and you're a walking FM transmitter with a 200-foot range. Just try to find me BMORG!

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:17 pm

Just helpin ya out bucket.

buckethead alien · Post by **buckethead alien** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:19 pm

Mercy, mercy beaucoup, DVD.

And you leave no trace.

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:59 pm

i got a kick listening to Aida (on the ariola) at K-SVERT in the mornings at 10:00a.m.. she puts on a good show that starts the day with a laugh.
-b

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:00 pm

AND she gave me a copy of the Mermen show from the board when they played there!!! yay!!!
-b

chickenfish · Post by **chickenfish** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:20 pm

I agree that the guys over at KSVERT do an awesome job. We played three times there last year, with two live sets and one deejay set, and everytime was a blast. Got svert? Yeah baby yeah!

MoisturePup · Post by **MoisturePup** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:31 pm

bradtem wrote:My first reaction on hearing the FCC was shutting down BRC radio stations was to ask if they didn't have anything better to do. And the reduced power made me sad since RF Burning Man has for many years been my first and last contact with the Playa going in and out.

And while I don't know if the shutdown of the stations was a causal factor, but to me the audio environment at this year's event was much more pleasant. Fewer camps that existed primarily to inflict their musical tastes on their near (and not so near) neighbours whether the neighbours wanted it or not.

And more live music! I'm more willing to embrace anything a lot more if it's live.

I'm just curious, did anybody hear of shut downs at this year's burn? (2004)

Version1 · Post by **Version1** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:12 pm

I'm just curious, did anybody hear of shut downs at this year's burn? (2004)

Were there any to shut down? Most of the times I tried I could only get BMIR and maybe one other station.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:48 pm

**Bump**

Just another special thanks to KSVERT for going out of their way to make my burn sensational. I was the guy who came up and thanked you for spinning ELO's Mister Blue Skies one morning. It started my morning everyday after that as I made my coffee and threw open the trailer door. We had parties when I cued it up full blast and handed a skewer to my guests to let them bang out the tire iron parts on my metal coffee pot. I came home after the event and danced to it with wild abandon with my oldest daughter. Funny how one little song can mark a year's burn, and it all came from a DJ who knew there was somebody out there that needed it at just the right time.

You have my gratitude.

Was BM better without the radio stations? With live music?

Would you prefer a burning man with mostly live music?

I missed broadcasting...

we were

Banning is a not just a bad idea, its a bad dream

Radio on the Playa

RFBM

RFBM

le chat noir viva radio vulcano

R.I.P. Vulcan radio

Re: Was BM better without the radio stations? With live mus