It's a world in and of itself: a place where your voice is recognizable to all who hear it; a place where, not too unlike that Boston bar of infamy, everybody pretty much knows your likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests -- even if they don't know your name.

Long before the internet and its plethora of "buy-it-here" and "sell-it-there" sites, there was a place where you could give away Beagle puppies, buy old iron bed frames, and sell that Reliant-K with the dented trunk lid, as is. It is a place where you could try to sell a Remington 270 deer rifle while asking if anyone might have a gas cook stove for sale. On some days, you may be able to secure a bag full of quilting squares or a cache of old blue jeans.

Other items to be found there may include rocking chairs, refrigerators (large and small and dorm room size), playpens and baby beds, bedding for a queen sized water bed or saddles and miscellaneous riding tack. You can find various autos for sale, old and new, rusty and not-so rusty, high mileage or locally owned, in showroom condition or just simply a good "daily driver."

On a good day, you might hear about a real good deal on a fishing boat, complete with motor and trailer, a box full of bass tackle, or an old suitcase full of trout flies found in someone's attic. Some fellow may be trying to find a garden tractor who has an ATV he'd like to trade. If you're really lucky, some hazy Thursday morning may turn up a great deal on a 20-guage over-and-under shotgun for just the right price.

In this world of community commerce, the moderator is always cordial, if not downright friendly. Just don't try to advertise your home business here, and forget about giving more than one telephone number. Don't call more than once a week per household, unless you wait until Saturday, which is kind of a free-for-all day. But take note, if there happens to be an auction scheduled, you lose your opportunity for a Saturday reprise. And remember, real estate is not allowed, and no handguns please.

So what is this wonderful place where name-brand baby and toddler clothes are sold right alongside exercise equipment and wood stoves?

It's the daily on-air swap meet, hosted by the early morning deejay and featuring the voices of your friends and neighbors, along with a few "Ag" reports and weather updates. You can find it on the FM dial right after the list of upcoming garage sales and just before the network news satellite feed.

If you're lucky, you have the opportunity to be a daily listener, a frequent flier you might say. Anyway you look at it, the on-air swap meet is a great place to be between 9 and 10 a.m. weekdays.

Saturdays, after all, should be reserved for more important things.

Say -- fishing or hunting.