DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your column and wisdom are unmatchable. Your service and research are exquisite and well thought out. Bravo.

I have two questions. One of which is to help solve a radio mystery that simply astounds me. I listen to WBACH radio at 106.9 FM, where classical music is played all day long, when I am traveling and when I get ready to go to sleep. Invariably, in the evening a station comes on at 106.3 FM that transmits an 8-9 second message that repeats itself continuously for hours, days, weeks, ad infinitum. What is going on with this station’s message? Is this permissible by the FCC? Any answer you find would be appreciated.

My second request: Growing up, my parents had a 78-rpm record that had the most beautiful words and background music that is now seldom heard. The name of this particular song was “Moonlight and Roses.” Has anyone ever heard of this song? What are the lyrics to go along with it? I wouldn’t know how to find a recording that would give justice to this wonderful record. — Ron Jean, Lewiston

ANSWER: Your praise for Sun Spots is much appreciated but not terribly well-deserved, as she has no clear answer for the first part of your question. An online search says 106.3 FM is a radio station called “The Bone,” based in Portland and plays rock ‘n’ roll.

You didn’t say where you were when you heard the odd sounds, but there is a complete listing of Maine radio station frequencies online at www.shgresources.com/me/radio/, and it only has that one station noted, although the listing may be a bit outdated, since it says 106.3 is classical music. Perhaps you caught it during a transitional period when they were just sending out a signal to maintain control of the frequency?

The Federal Communications Commission does have a website listing all the rules governing broadcasting (http://tinyurl.com/ybjbs93), which you could spend days going through. With the advent of cell phones and other wireless technologies there has been a huge increase in demand for frequencies. Maybe your radio picked up something that is not a radio signal?

You might be interested in a story Sun Spots heard on National Public Radio about how radio signals may be used to transmit messages to spies. According to the story (you can read or stream it at http://tinyurl.com/3xb73cu), it’s long been thought that radio stations that broadcast streams of numbers, in a variety of languages, are sending codes to spies, who write down the numbers and then translate the code into instructions.

Sun Spots sees how efficient it would be. No trace of a phone call or e-mail message, just radio frequencies that fade off into space on one end, and a spy with a pencil and piece of paper on the other.

As for your second question, two recordings of “Moonlight and Roses” are on YouTube, one by John McCormack, another by Allen Dale. Amazon.com has a CD by Jim Reeves with this song. You can buy it for $5.68 plus shipping. To order by phone, call Amazon at 1-800-201-7575. It appears to have been a very popular song with several different artists recording it, including some country singers.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anyone in the Poland, Lewiston or Auburn area who sells K1 fuel? Please don’t use my name. Thank you. — No Name via e-mail

ANSWER: You didn’t say if you were looking for delivery or a pump, but Sun Spots assumes the latter since delivery is so widely available.

The phone book only lists one source: Lisbon Fuel Co., 19 Capital Ave., Lisbon, 353-2775. The woman who answered the phone said they do both deliveries and have a pump for people who bring approved containers. She said most if not all of the area fuel companies deliver K1, but she wasn’t sure if any others have a pump.

Sun Spots knows of two others, but they aren’t in L-A. Winthrop Fuel, 377-8414, on Route 133 just off Route 202, has a pump, as does J&S Oil, 626-2714, on Route 202 in Manchester. It’s just past the intersection of Puddledock Road.

There are too many fuel companies for Sun Spots to call each one and ask if they have a pump, but if they write to the column, she will include them in a future listing.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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