Public Information Officers
       The Cable TV Connection
       
                                                         by Mike Berlin WB2FIG
       
       
           Cable  Television  has  become  commonplace.   In fact, many of us 
       would  be  lost  without  our  converter boxes and remote controllers.  
       Few  realize  that  there  are  many  aspects  of  cable  TV  that are  
       available to the subscriber aside from more channels to watch.
       
           Cable  TV  comes into a community by way of a franchise agreement.  
       Cable  companies  bid for a franchise and one is selected on the basis 
       of  cost  per  customer,  quality  of  programming  and services to be 
       provided  to  the community.  Many subscribers do not realize that one 
       of  the  services  almost always a part of each franchise agreement is 
       called "Public Access."
       
           Public  Access  is a channel reserved for residents' own programs.  
       Some  franchises provide production assistance including equipment and 
       training.   The  best  part is that Public Access costs nothing to the 
       group putting on a program. 
       
           Consider  promoting  your  ham  radio  club or running a series of 
       license   classes  on  TV.   Show  the  New  World  of  Amateur  Radio 
       videotape.  Show  your  recent  hamfest videotape! Televise your Field 
       Day  or demonstrate OSCAR. These are all great ways to reach thousands 
       of potential hams.
       
           By  calling  or  stopping  by your local cable TV company, you can 
       easily  get  the  information  you'll need to get started.  Instead of 
       sitting  home  and  watching  all of those channels with color bars go 
       by,  why  not  see  if   you can activate one and bring ham radio into 
       your community.                              (Tnx Mike Berlin, WB2FIG)