Tape radio programs using your VCR

Q: I love to listen to The Dirt Doctor but can't always hear all of it because of church and because my cassette will only do 45 minutes on one side. Can it be done and how?<br>R.S.<br><br>A: I thought

Friday, June 30th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Q: I love to listen to The Dirt Doctor but can't always hear all of it because of church and because my cassette will only do 45 minutes on one side. Can it be done and how?
R.S.

A: I thought this was going to be a tough one. It sounds easy enough, but when I first read this question, I figured the answer would take some heavy-duty research.

I was surprised at how quickly I found the answer. I went to one of my favorite Web sites, Ask Jeeves at www.ask.com and I asked the question "How can I record a radio program to my VCR?" In about five seconds, one of the answers returned was a link called Recording Radio on Your VCR.

You can do this with practically any radio and a VCR with auxiliary audio inputs. Virtually any VCR built in the last three years will work. You will need a cable to connect the earphone plug of your radio, usually a one-eighth-inch plug, to the audio input of the VCR, commonly called an RCA input. This looks like a straight headphone plug with a metal sleeve around it.

Connect the two devices. Tune the VCR to channel 3 or the video record input channel on your TV and turn on the radio. Because the headphone plug is in use, you should be able to hear the radio through the TV speakers.

Adjust the volume on the radio and TV until the level pleases you and press record on your VCR.

You can take advantage of your VCR's built-in timer to select a start time. Just be sure to leave the radio on.

There is a lot more you can learn about this procedure at mrgadget.com/html/recradio.html.