radio free hamptons - FAQ


	radio free hamptons - FAQ 2004


	What is Radio Free Hamptons? Radio Free Hamptons is a community-based Internet radio station. Though we take advertising and seek sponsors for our weekly shows, RFH primarily runs on listener donations. RFH went on-line in January 2004 with programming 4 hours a day - 5 days a week. We currently offer programming 7 days a week, an average of 10 hours a day. RFH was formed to provide a communications service to students, independent producers, and businesses on the East End. At the same time, RFH programs are heard internationally, thus we seek to connect and collaborate with like-minded people around the world.
	What is Internet radio? Internet radio is similar to broadcast radio except that it is over the Internet. The Internet runs through local and international telephone wires or underground coaxial cable, then “streams” to your computer browser, then out of your speakers. Broadcast radio is primarily transmitted through the air byway of microwave towers to a receiver in your portable radio or car. Both regular radio and Internet radio have disc jockeys (DJs) or news anchors to produce and present the programs you listen to, whether local, regional or national news, music, or events. Both require your listener-ship so that local and national advertisers will sponsor the day’s programming.
	What’s the difference between Internet and Broadcast Radio? Broadcast stations are 100% sound-based. Internet stations tend to also be very visual and interactive, using their website to present art, news, and information about the music. You can listen to local broadcast radio in your car, on your home stereo, and on portable transistor radios. Most local radio stations have a 25-50 mile radius then their signal gives way to a radio station in another town. Internet radio is not yet available in your car, or on portable receivers, but it is available anywhere in the world that someone has a computer. Radio Free Hamptons has listeners in California, Michigan, Hong Kong, and London. Right now, the bridge between Internet radio and broadcast radio is satellite radio, products like XM satellite radio. Also, more broadcast stations are “simul-casting” their programs over the Internet and more Internet radio stations are seeking to broadcast or link with satellite networks.
	Who’s listening? Hopefully, you are! While we count our listeners from all over the world, with Internet radio every day is different. Some days thousands of people may log on to a show, other days only a couple hundred. Usually it depends on the following of the DJ, just like with local radio. People hear about RFH through local word of mouth, through Internet search engines, or through our email marketing and promotions activities. Radio Free Hamptons’ strength is as a narrow-casting medium, linking audiences with tailored programming and interests. Meaning, we target our talk and music shows to specific e-mailing lists of individuals and groups, so as to reach the most likely listener and supporter of our shows.
	What do you mean by “interactive” radio? In physics its said that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Computer interactivity brings that theory into everyday reality. Whether its clicking a mouse to make something happen or collaborating with ten friends to build a virtual environment. It is the opposite of passive reception, which most of our modern media seem to induce. Voting can be a form of interactivity, spurred on by hearing the views of a compelling candidate. Games are often very interactive, as are conversations, and hopefully relationships. Broadcast radio has been interactive for years by allowing you to phone-in and speak with the DJ, request a favorite song, or to hear dispatches from the local farmer's market. But this is just the beginning of what the Internet and Radio Free Hamptons will add to the radio experience. Online media tends to give you more choice, allowing you to chat, purchase, search and research, or collaborate in various ways. It even allows you to set up your own radio show without having to spend millions of dollars to do it. This gets more opinions out there and creates venues for creative expressions less controlled by mainstream commercial interests.
	How do I listen to the webcasts? Before you listen to Radio Free Hamptons or any other web radio content, be it CNN, NBA.com, or WFMU, you need to “download” a file player, kind of like a VCR for the Internet. To listen to Radio Free Hamptons “live” webcasts, you need to have Windows Media Player ™. To listen to our collection of “archived” material you will need to download Real Player ™. If they are not already on your computer, there are links on the RFH webradio webpage. After you download the player, you merely click on the large RFH icon, or where it says “listen, enjoy, experience.” The program will buffer in the player and begin playing within about 10 seconds. If you click on a file and you get the error message “server doesn’t recognize your request” this may be because of a problem with your file player. Note: if you have multiple players on your computer, there may occur a conflict between them -- on which should play the specified file. To resolve this go to: (WMP > Tools > Options > File Types) and (RealPlayer > Tools > Preferences > File Types) and make sure that .MP3 files are to be handled by Real Player and .ASX and .WMA files are handled by Window Media Player. If the problem persists email us, or your local computer administrator.
	How do I read the schedule? Radio Free Hamptons follows the same format each day. We start at 8am with Gospel, then Jazz, R&B, Female Vocalists, DJs Choice, Classic Rock, World Music, DJs Choice. Live DJ programs run from 8am – 6pm each day; then at 6:05pm, we re-webcast the entire day. Thus, a program that webcast live at 8am will re-play at 6:05pm. If you missed a program that was live at 11:00am you can hear it replayed at 9:05pm. To be sure, look on the left side of the schedule to see program times based on Eastern Standard Time. Then look on the right side of the schedule to find re-webcast times.
	Are there only music shows? Talkshows and special feature programs are highlighted with a special color. These are weekly programs. You can click on their “45 record” icon and get more info on the show. All other music programs change each week on the schedule. If you click on their “45 record” icon, you will get a web-linked bio description of the featured recording artist. Soon we hope to link the recording artist to a website where you can buy the music as well. For now, check out your local record store, or go online to Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com
	How can I participate? There are many ways to get involved with Radio Free Hamptons. First, enjoy the programming as a listener. If you have a request or question, please call, chat through AOL (radiofreehams) or Yahoo (rfhjam), or email at djs@radiofreehamptons.net . We review applications for independently-produced programming on a regular basis. The cost to lease airtime weekly is $50 for the hour or $200 per month. Leasing time on Internet radio is a low-cost and effective way of getting out your important message to a large audience directly. Come in and take a computer workshop. We have classes in radio production, web design, Adobe Photoshop 101, and digital camera basics. We also give one-on-one tutoring for those looking to trouble-shoot a computer problem or learn a new application. We are always seeking volunteers. High school and college students may receive community-service credit by helping us produce public service announcements.
	How do you make money? We don’t! Okay, barely. Radio Free Hamptons as an Internet radio station, primarily makes money through your listener-supported donations. On our Web Radio Support Page, you can download and print a Pledge Form. >> click here << Feel free to drop it off, fax it, or mail it in with your donation. It would be much appreciated. The benefits you get when you pledge are listed on the form. We also make money from classified ads, spot ads, banner ads, through program sponsorship, providing remote live streaming of events, and by hosting special events around the Hamptons. Through our NewWorld Gallery we exhibit and sell digital artwork by local and international artists. We sell work in CD-Rom form, as installations, and in archival print form. Check it out! http://radiofreehamptons.net/NewWorldGal.html Our Cybercafe allows users to fax, copy, surf the web, build websites, record audio files, press CDs, and more. We also host computer workshops focused on the basics of digital cameras, photoshop, web design, and digital audio production. Our Gift Shop has art cards and notecards for sale, local poetry books and CDs, as well as beautiful Radio Free Hamptons t-shirts and buttons.
	How do I contact you?
	Street Address: Radio Free Hamptons 31 Long Island Avenue Sag Harbor, New York http://radiofreehamptons.net web Mailing Address: Radio Free Hamptons P.O. Box 1163 Wainscott, New York 11975 (631) 725-5852 phone (631) 725-5853 fax reggie@radiofreehamptons.net email