Bad Search Results from Query

I am trying to search through a Field that has the following data in it, basically state abbreviation with zip code data. The NOTES field is setup as a varchar(75) Record 1 Al GA CA Record 2 FL AL upper Record 3 all others in CA Record 4 CA zip 123456, 456789 The data is passed in a variable from a submit scripts as $terr , let say we are searching for anybody with AL Alabama in there territory. The 3 queries I have tried all return more then I need or nothing at all. Is there a way search a Field that will return only records 1 and record 2 or make the search case sensitive for states and return only records 1 and 2? I am currently using the first query listed. If I use the second query the $ is treated as an expression and not the true variable being passed in from a submit form. $sql = ("select last_name, first_name, phone, email, csr, line, picture, notes, id from address where notes like '%$terr%' " ); $sql = ("select last_name, first_name, phone, email, csr, line, picture, notes, id from address where notes REGEXP BINARY '[$terr]' " ); $sql = ("select last_name, first_name, phone, email, csr, line, picture, notes, id from address where MATCH(notes) AGAINST ('\"$terr\"') " ); Any help would be appreciated. DB = MySql version 3.23.47 Code = PHP 4.2.0 OS = RedHat Larry Sandwick Sarreid, Ltd. Network/System Administrator phone: (252) 291-1414 x223 fax : (252) 237-1592 _____ I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 6574 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/Product_Info.asp?> for free now! ---------------------------------------- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 7146 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now!