Welcome to my aircheck FAQ page!
Some questions answered below:
Q: What is an aircheck?
A: An aircheck is simply a recording of a radio station.
There are two types of airchecks. Scoped and Unscoped.
A scoped aircheck is one in which only the DJ talk is recorded.
In other words the ads and musical content is deleted.
You'd put the tape in, and turn on your favorite station. As you record, you
would pause the cassette at any point that a song came on, a commercial break
started, or during any news cast or graphic report. This requires some work as
you'd have to physically sit in front of the deck and listen and pause at just
the right spots. However, this is made much easier with the use of computers,
and recording editing software.
Unscoped airchecks are simple. You put a tape in the recorder, turn your
favorite station on, and let the tape run. You do not stop the tape at any
point during the recording. What ever is run on the station is recorded. This
includes all ads, music, DJ talk, news, traffic, etc.
Q: Who cares about these things anyway?
A: Actually you would be surprised. Lots of people like these, or at least us
radio geek types.
Personally I am a huge fan of radio. I record the radio stations I like, or
trade ones that I have heard while during my travels. I also like some big name
jocks from around the area in which I reside. Jocks such as John DeBella and Big Ron OBryan are just two examples of ones I
like.
Q: How do I get started in this so-called aircheck trading thing? Are there any
pointers you can give?
A: Seriously if you would like to
get started, go to the
Aircheck
Collectors Board
on:
Radio-Info.com
If you are not already registered on the site, please register first.
Then on that board, post your location. IE, where do you live?
What would be even better if is you could make a list of tapeable stations. On
this list you make, include:
The frequency (For example, 92.5)
The call letters (For example, WXTU)
The city of License (For example, Philadelphia)
The state (For example, PA)
The format of music they play (For example, Country)
Do this for each station that you can receive. For week stations, make note of
this somehow in your listing.
Tell us what you can record on. Can you record on CD? Cassette? MD? etc.
Post some way to contact you. Email is always good.
Q: Wow. This sounds fun. What kind of cassettes should I use? Will any tape
deck do? How about the radio?
A: If recording onto cassette, please use Name Brand cassettes. Maxwell, Sony,
and TVK are what most people use. Some have also used Memorex and
Do not use the cheap, dollar store brand tapes! They sound horrible and last
about as long as a thunderstorm.
As for the radio and tape deck used, it does not matter. A decent tape deck is
always good to use. Make sure that the station you are recording is tuned
exactly on frequency and that the tape is not distorted. (If you have a
recording level, it’s always best to have it set too low then too loud.)
Q: So what do I do next? Send a tape out to whomever from whatever station they
wish from me?
A: Yes. However on a piece of paper stuck to the tape, or on a tape label,
please include the following info:
The stations call letters
music format
DJ on-air (If known)
and the date and time that you made the recording.
Q: How do I package them?
A: Put them in a bubble envelope. Do not send your cases. Instead keep the
cases for the tapes you will get back in return.
Q: Is there any difference for recording CD's?
A: Nah, not really. The only difference is how they are packaged. You wouldn't
send the jewel cases in the mail. They will get broken and cause you extra
shipping charges. Instead, use CD envelopes (One CD per envelope), and send
them in a CD bubble envelope.
You can get all of these supplies at staples.
End of questions. If you have anymore that I
have not thought of, please contact me! Also if you'd like to start a trade
with me, please first read my
guidelines
First then
E-mail
me with what you are interested in and what stations you can get. We'll go from
there.