FCC Attack on Free Speech

We must move to do a number of things immediately in response to the latest crackdown on micropower broadcasting by the FCC. It is obvious that the entire independent media movement is perceived to be a major threat to the manufacure of consent. Why else would the government be going after one of the most effective ways of taking content from the IMC global network and delivering to the people? My suggestions are:

1.) Legally go after the In-Rem process of seizing equipment. To do this go to http://www.freeradio.org and download the legal packet(pdf format), click on the "Visited by the FCC" link. In that packet is a sample brief from the NLGCDC to challenge the constitutionality of equipment seizure procedures. Anyone who has received a letter from the FCC has legal standing to file this action.

2.) Take into consideration the other defense measures suggested in that packet. We need further discussion on this.

3.) Massive outreach and direct action. We all have our respective communities and each of us knows how to reach them in the most effective manner. Set up mobile transmitters at public events, flea markets, street fairs, picket lines, etc. Bring micropower directly to the community.

4.) Continue broadcasting and restore stations that have been busted. Change locations every night. Set up the studio at one location and send the audio feed as an MP3 stream over the net. The transmitter can be at another location which can change often.
Think creatively. Discuss and act.

5.) Sheer numbers can overwhelm the FCC's enforcement process. Those of us who have been working on new designs stand ready to crank up the production. To do this we will need your help and support. At this time we have two centers for design and production, one in Berkeley, and one else where. We have a very reasonable circuit board manufacturer who is supportive of the cause, and who will turn around boards on a short notice.

We need more rf and electronic hardware geeks to set up additional assembly and testing facilities

This is where we stand technically at the moment. Thanks to the other design folks we have a pll exciter that will put out 5-8 watts. I am in the process of laying out a printed circuit board for this design. It will be at least 50 percent surface mount which will yield a board size no larger than about 3 x 4 inches. I have also integrated our current FRB no-tune PLL with our 15 watt amp onto one board measuring 4 x 7 inches. A 1 watt FRB PLL will drive a new 40 watt FET based amp directly. We have also integrated the FRB 6 watt amp with the FRB PLL into one circuit board as well. Both the 15 watt and 6 watt have the filter on the board. Our other design group has come up with a nice and simple 100 watt FET amp that requires 5 watts drive. For really toasting the FCC and NAB we have a 300 watt amp that only needs 3-5 watts to drive it. The bottom line is that we have the technology down to a mass producable, low cost level. What we need now is additional people, funding, and resources to make it happen en masse.

These are my late night thoughts on the matter.

Stephen Dunifer