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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Friends,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Last week I had the opportunity to host Mr. Ian
Howard who together with Frederick Renet and manage the Adapted Consulting Inc.
Although our focus was on wireless networks, my recent involvement in radio made
Mr. Ian to disclose to me the advances so far made in the radio sector. In the
real fact, Adapted Consulting are in line with the cry of most Telecentres
particularly Mr. Renatus raphael from Kibengwe Telecentre. But there is some
good news:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Adapted Consulting have in the spirit of
commons, produced what is called OPEN FM, a new open source radio station.
</FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>OpenFM is a low power, affordable open
source FM radio station created for use in remote areas. The system has
been designed with harsh weather conditions in mind; it is able to withstand
heat, dust and humidity with little manual intervention. It functions on solar
power and so is particularly suited for rural environments that lack dependable
electricity. OpenFM consists of a low power FM transmitter; antenna; low
bandwidth, low power computer; mixing board; and open source audio software.
<BR><BR><BIG> The open source component of the OpenFM is
perhaps the station’s most innovative attribute. The design has been
registered using the creative commons license, which means that the blueprint of
the device is available to those who wish to create their own OpenFM or amend
the equipment. </BIG></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now the important thing is follow-up. Mr. Ian
expressed that he is willing to conduct ONLSITE training on how to make the open
FM radio stations. Constructed on-site, would make them more affordable. Still,
the Open FM design has been specifically tested for harsh conditions like the
one most telecentres face.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What is required:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Interested telecentres/ Networks should send
in their requests to me and I would compile the expression of interest into a
project document. I think that IDRC would be willing to support such a training.
Mr. Mayanja Meddie would well be in position to help us source funding for the
parts to be used in the training. I am cc Mr. ian Howard this
email.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Should ideas emerge in this line, let us share them
and see how to move forward.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joseph sekiku</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Contact address:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>FADECO TELECENTRE<BR>P. O. Box 223<BR>Karagwe-
Kagera region</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Tel/Fax: +255 28 2223024 (office)<BR>Tel: +255 28
2223033 (FADECO RADIO)<BR>Cell: +255 754 605682</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Skype ID = jsekiku<BR>Yahoo ID=
sekiku2002</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>