With BRYAN POWIS taking a well earned break, I’ve been privileged to have been entrusted with the DRIVE show for three days this week – Monday, Tuesday and today.

In this role I’ve been having a daily THREE O’CLOCK THRILL where I’ve indulged myself a bit by playing three absolute belters back-to-back each day. On Monday the selection was: –

Steve Winwood                                          Higher Love

Katy Perry                                                   Hot & Cold

Bob Segar                                                     Hollywood Nights

On Tuesday I played: –

Doobey Bros.                                             China Grove

Jessie J                                                         Domino

Bruce Springsteen                                   Glory Days

And finally today we had: –

Robert Palmer                                          Addicted To Love

Kelly Clarkson                                          Stronger

Elton John                                                 Pinball Wizard

Now today was an especially packed programme with no less than three guests gracing the show with their presence.

First off I was joined by PETE SIPPLE who is not only a college lecturer, but also presents podcasts on all kind of hi-tech subjects and also has some spare time, part of which is spent on his love of all things radio as a licensed radio amateur.

Pete explained that podcasting is basically an on demand radio show. If you want to subscribe you can do so free of charge. The hot topic at present concerns Freeview which everyone has just been encouraged/persuaded that they had to do, only to discover that in about a year, Freeview may no longer be useable without new filters being connected to every TV set, when the new 4g phone networks start operating on the same frequencies as Freeview. Big question, who pays these new £20 filters?

To subscribe to Pete’s podcast you can either use a Frequencycast App for your i-Phone or simply go to www.frequencycast.co.uk and download to your PC.

On the question of “Ham” radio, Pete explained that the requirements to pass the exam to get a license are now much easier than in former times. To prove the point, Pete mentioned that an 8-year old had recently passed the exam and is now holds his own amateur radio license. With the course costing in the order of £50 (course/room hire/text book) and the exam just £30. Even the equipment is quite economic to buy. One small transceiver that Pete had with him cost just £25 but you do need a license to use it.

Pete also explained that amateur radio isn’t just talking to other radio amateurs around the world but that there are also amateur satellites which can allow you to download images of the Earth from space.

Anyone interested should firstly take a look at any number of websites. One such suggested site is www.essexham.co.uk and make contact with the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society who organise and run the course required to pass the exam.

You can listen again to my conversation with Pete right here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pete-Sipple.mp3|titles=Pete Sipple]

A little bit later on I was joined by ALAN JEFCOATE, Vice Chair of the Essex Federation of Small Businesses. Alan outlined the current challenges facing many small companies and in particular the difficulties encountered in trying to get bank loans. The good news is that a £200m support programme has been set up by a consortium led by Grant Thornton to support up to 26,000 of the most dynamic small to medium sized businesses. More information is available by calling 0207 215 5000 or visiting www.growthaccelerator.com.

Alan also outlined some forthcoming changes to the application of  VAT in respect of fuel purchased for business use but then used privately.

You can hear Alan’s chat with me again here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Alan-Jeffcoate.mp3|titles=Alan Jeffcoate]

Finally STEVE WITHERSPOON, manager of BRENTWOOD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB popped in. Unfortunately he had some bad news in that the friendly match with AFC Hornchurch which had been planned for this Saturday has had to be re-scheduled to next Wednesday evening at 7:45. This decision has been taken with much regret but the sheer amount of rain over recent days coupled with current forecasts have forced them to take the decision with much reluctance after an examination of the pitch this afternoon.

Steve ran over other pre-season fixtures along with his goals for the forthcoming season.

You can hear what Steve had to say here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Steve-Witherspoon.mp3|titles=Steve Witherspoon]

Well that’s me done, BRYAN returns, hopefully refreshed on Monday afternoon at 3. See you again soon,

Scott