Help get LRN.FM back on satellite in Africa!

LRN.FM is the best liberty-oriented audio streamed 24/7 online and via satellite, for free.  Our current satellite coverage includes North America and Central America.  Until recently, we were also on over much of Africa.  More about what happened to our signal in a moment.  

In many parts of the world, cable TV installations are non-existent or uncommon due to their high up-front and ongoing cost.  Satellite is the most common form of audio/video entertainment in these areas.  It's common for homes to already have the Ku-band dish and "Free-to-Air" receiver.  For many of the 4 billion people in the world who have no internet (over 50% of the world's population), Free-to-Air is a lifeline to the world, uncensored by the state.

Free-to-Air means that no subscription is needed to receive the channels.  They are TV or radio channels broadcast "in-the-clear", direct-to-home.  Some satellites, like Galaxy 19 over North and Central America (where LRN.FM has been heard since 2009) have hundreds of Free-to-Air channels.

Meet Ako:

Ako lives in Cameroon, Africa, where LRN.FM was available on satellite from 2012 until February of this year, at no cost to us.  Unfortunately our satellite provider ended the free ride.  Now, to continue broadcasting the message of liberty to much of Africa, we need your help.   

Ako says everyone has Ku-band dishes in Cameroon.  He has personally introduced at least two hundred of his friends to our programs and says they listen and meet regularly to discuss the topics they hear on LRN.FM.  You can listen to one of our interviews with Ako here.

Ako tells us the press is heavily restricted there, which is why many people in the country (who don't even have access to the internet) use Free-to-Air satellite receivers - to get unfiltered information and ideas from many global sources.  LRN.FM is the only channel on Free-to-Air advocating the ideas of liberty 24/7, and these ideas are inspiring people like Ako to take action. 

Who is broadcasting?

I am Ian Freeman, the creator and program director of LRN.FM.  I also host Free Talk Live, heard seven days a week live on the network.  LRN.FM features dozens of liberty-oriented shows, both in live and podcast form, uncensored.  LRN.FM was founded in 2009 for two reasons.  First, to introduce existing liberty-minded people to new shows.  Second, to provide programming to free radio stations.  Both of those things have been and continue to be accomplished.  Our new goal is to expand the availability of the satellite feed  to reach new ears globally with our ideas.

In addition to getting our signal direct-to-homes globally, We have been contacted by more than one underground FM radio station operator in North America who is taking their audio feed from our satellite channel.  Obviously given their clandestine nature, if a small number are contacting us, it's reasonable to presume there are many more who do not want to be "on the radar", and certainly not listed on our website as a radio affiliate.  These heroic activists are broadcasting the ideas of liberty into their communities 24/7.  That's great activism, made possible by our Ku-band "Free-to-Air" feed.

What's possible?

Between people around the world like Ako tuning LRN.FM in on their in-home satellite systems, to people listening in their car thanks to an AM/FM rebroadcast of our signal, there are already thousands of people in North and Central America that are hearing the ideas of liberty - many for the very first time!  It would be great to get on Free-to-Air satellite in other parts of the world, but first, we need to get back on in Africa.

Sure, anyone worldwide can listen anytime at LRN.FM, but in order to do that, they'd need to have access to the internet and know to look for us.  The internet is likely something you take for granted.  However, billions of people on Earth have no internet.  Direct-to-home satellite reaches those people, affordably.  New ears will find the message of liberty, as people are frequently "scanning the band" and sampling new channels.  That's how Ako found us.  Then, he spread the word to his friends.

It's really exciting that the ideas of freedom are reaching some of the poorest, most oppressed places on earth.  We at LRN.FM are even more excited by the idea that we could be reaching more people around the globe via satellite, with your assistance.  Here's a map showing the internet access of different countries - darker means more people have access:

and here's a map of the AMOS-5 Ku band East West beam that we were on up until February of this year:

How much will it cost?

The satellite we were on over Africa is called AMOS-5.  Getting LRN.FM back on there is best, because that's where the listeners dishes are already pointed. 

To get on AMOS-5 will cost about $22,000 for a three year agreement.

What You Get

The satisfaction of knowing your dollars are helping reach people worldwide with the ideas of liberty.  If you'd prefer more recognition, check out the perks like naming a satellite channel or getting an exclusive Platinum AMP pin.

What if we raise more than is necessary?

There are two reasons why we may end up raising more than is necessary to fund an AMOS-5 channel for three years.  First, we may be able to negotiate a better price on the channel than the quote I was given, once we can demonstrate to the satellite provider that we're ready to buy time and have the money to do so.  Plus, we may go to another provider if they don't give us a great price.  Second, we may raise more than the goal, which would be awesome.  In either case, some of the extra funds will go to fund more FTA satellite system installs in Africa.  Plus, we may be able to negotiate a discount group rate to get us more coverage over other parts of Africa not serviced by the East-West beam.

What if we raise less than is necessary?

We may be able to negotiate a higher monthly rate to get a yearlong agreement, to get the ball rolling and then we can fundraise further for more years.

Are contributions tax-deductible?

I'm no attorney, but it's my understanding that at least with the United States, donations to churches are tax-deductible even if the church is not 501-c3 status with the IRS.  Here's what the IRS says on their own website:  "You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. Most organizations, other than churches and governments, must apply to the IRS to become a qualified organization."  LRN.FM is a project of the Shire Free Church, so you should be fine deducting your donation.  Don't take my word for it, though.  If you pay taxes, which I don't personally recommend, you may want do your own research.  

What are alternative methods to contribute?

Check or money order made out to "Free Talk Live" at 63 Emerald St. #610, Keene, NH 03431

Bitcoin: 1AkZUyVHtVsU6ZmAu1iSDhYiXbqFgKqzbt

Can't afford to give?

Please share this fundraiser on your favorite social media and also share LRN.FM!

Thanks for your consideration!
Ian Freeman
Program Director, LRN.FM