SEATTLE/ Conservative Monitor -- RPR Products has just introduced a portable radio recorder designed for recording talk radio programs automatically. The radio program recorder or RPR is to radio what the VCR is to TV. It was specifically designed so that people can record their favorite talk shows and listen to them at a more convenient time. The RPR provides a way to 'time-shift' the radio show for example from the middle of the day when the most popular programs are aired to the end of the day such as the evening commute.

The RPR consists of three portable devices housed inside a zippered canvas pouch that is smaller than a portable CD player. These devices work together to capture, store and play back any AM or FM radio broadcasts. Like a VCR the user must program the start and stop times into the RPR prior to recording.

The three devices that make up the RPR are a radio, a recorder, and an FM transmitter. All three are interconnected by a special cable that includes an internal matching circuit which matches the radio's output to the recorder's input and provides for both recording and playback operation without having to disconnect cables.

The radio is a digitally tuned PLL AM and FM pocket receiver with buttons for 10 station presets in each band. It can play FM in stereo or monaural and its output is selectable between an internal speaker and an earphone jack. A digital volume control makes it easy to set the proper output level for the best quality recording.

The recorder captures the audio from the radio and stores it digitally in one of 4 different 'folders' in memory. Storage capacity depends up the recording quality setting; 32 minutes with HQ, 64 minutes with SP, and 200 minutes with LP. The LP mode is the lowest quality but is sufficient for talk radio. A timer recording mode in the recorder provides the user with the ability to start and stop the recorder at the desired times. A convenient rotating 'jog' dial provides an effortless way to quickly advance through unwanted commercials during playback. A 'divide' feature allows an easy way to clip and save a portion of the show such as a song parody for later listening or sharing with a friend.

The FM transmitter takes the recorder's play back audio and transmits it to a nearby FM radio. This is ideal for commuters in that they can listen to the recorded talk show through their car radio without the use of a cassette adapter.

To record a radio program, the start and stop times of the desired radio program are entered into the recorder and the radio is tuned to the station that will be broadcasting the show. The radio does not have its own timer but it can run for 48 hours on one set of two AAA batteries. When the show comes on, the recorder turns on and stores the audio from the radio. When the show ends, the recorder turns off.

There are three ways to play back the recorded talk show. On the commute home, the FM radio in the car is tuned to an unused frequency and the RPR's FM transmitter is tuned to broadcast to that frequency. The play button on the recorder is pressed to start listening to the recorded program. If there is no FM radio nearby you can use the RPR's FM radio and its internal speaker. For extremely portable listening, the credit card sized recorder can be easily removed from the RPR and placed in a pocket for listening using its own internal speaker or earphones. This is especially useful at the gym, while on a walk or during a jog.

The modular design of the RPR provides some additional advantages in that each of the portable devices can be removed and used separately. The radio can be removed and placed in a pocket for listening with either its internal speaker or earphones. The recorder with its internal microphone can be used to record voice memos or meetings. In addition, the FM transmitter can be removed and used to play music from any portable audio device to a nearby FM radio.

The RPR comes with manual, 6 AAA alkaline batteries (installed, 2 in each device), stereo earphones, and a separate FM cable for use with the FM transmitter and other portable devices.

It is available from the company's Web site at: www.radioprogramrecorder.com