Riverside home headquarters for Stardust Radio Network Febuary 2nd, 2009 A vision problem may have kept Jeff Showalter from enlisting in the military, but it hasn't stopped him from supporting the troops. From a tiny room in Riverside crammed with an array of computer and sound equipment, Showalter and other volunteers scattered about the U.S. spend their own time and money providing support to troops, military families and veterans. Showalter engineers and coordinates a number of Internet talk and news shows, along with airing new music from independent artists. Showalter said Stardust Radio Network has no political agenda other than to bring home the stories of soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and to provide information for them and their families. The Internet Web site offers 20 hours of live talk shows and a continuous stream of music Showalter gleans from hundreds of promotional CDs sent to him by listeners, many of them veterans. Past broadcasts can also be called up. From Florida, Judi Burns along with Showalter host "United We Roll," where overseas military members relate their everyday experiences. It airs every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. Each soldier is interviewed for approximately 30 minutes. Firebase Network is from 6 to 7 p.m. Sundays with Rick Townsend, who as a veterans' advocate examines and critiques veteran-related services. From 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday is "Talking With Heroes," where Bob Calvert of Colorado Springs, Colo., airs interviews with soldiers in Iraq. Showalter said Calvert is an independent correspondent who relies on donations and corporate financial gifts to pay his way to the war zones. "Veterans For Veterans Connections" (VFVC) is hosted by Gene Simes from Joplin, Mo. The call-in show crusades for veterans' rights and airs live at 8 p.m. every Tuesday. "SVR Broadcast," hosted by Gerald Cook, assists veterans who may have been unknowingly exposed to toxic materials. Callers to the live talk shows can call a toll-free line at 877-213-4329 or in the Riverside area at 319-648-5143. For these live talk shows scattered about the county, Showalter takes the call-ins at his Riverside home and alerts the show hosts they have callers. He says the radio website has listeners from more than 80 countries and has a very high rating according to how Google scores hits. He describes much of his U.S. audience as cubicle listeners - officer employees who tune in while at work. Because they are nonpolitical and support the troops, said Showalter, Stardust has been able to foster a special relationship with the Department of Defense, which aids them in contacting solders. The Stardust website even has a public service announcement by Willie Nelson for the soldiers that was taped when Nelson performed at the Meskwaki Casino. The residents of Riverside can listen to Stardust the old fashion way - on the radio. Using a low power transmitter, Showalter broadcasts on 1690 AM. A car radio listener would almost make it to Kalona before the signal disappears. Stardust also offers "Chat Star," a chat room that uses members to text each other in real time during shows or any other time during the week. The system used for the free service was created by a blind veteran for the blind community and is provided at no cost to Stardust by Talking Communities. Also available is what Showalter describes as talkback interactive radio where up to 300 members can hold a teleconference during live programs. Some of the conversations can be played during the shows. He said it is also used when calling elected officials or veteran services administrators. They will inform the officials of the number of people on the teleconferencing calls and give first names and Zip Codes as a way to show the number of people concerned about an issue. There are 698 members now signed up for the service. Besides the 30 to 40 hours of time Showalter volunteers each week, there is also the cost. The radio website is not self-supporting and the Stardust volunteers have to come up with $700 to $1,200 per week. He and wife Linda support themselves and this hobby by being deejays at weddings, birthdays and other gatherings, along with doing karaoke. He also provides sound and lighting for bands. Showalter is in a band called Gravel as well, playing rhythm guitar. Showalter takes the helm of the Internet radio amidst a confusing web of cables and an eclectic fusion of new and old computers and sound equipment. The Riverside resident has no formal schooling, having gained his expertise through hands-on experience. It started in 1984 when he got one of the first home computers produced - a Timex Sinclair - so primitive that its only long-term form of memory was via plugging it into a home tape cassette recorder. Showalter began the website for U.S. service personnel shortly after the attack on the World Trade Towers. Before that, it was dedicated to UFO fans. He laughs when describing some of the hardcore UFO followers and admits it made for a very entertaining Internet site. He will be rubbing elbows again with some of the outer space fans at this year's Riverside TrekFest where he and his wife will have a remote site for Stardust and will be recording messages of support for the troops. How long will Showalter continue to volunteer both his time and money to Stardust? He pauses a second at the question, then answers, "Until I run out of money. . . or everyone gets back." news links: http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=20261393&BRD=1140&PAG=461&dept_id=579117&rfi=8