hi alan,

I believe that any free hosts out there will ask something from you in return. Since you will be requiring a free host that supports sql database, I believe that it is quite difficult to find one. This is simply because mssql database will require extra power and memory on the server and this means extra $$$ for the hosts. I do understand that mssql express is provided free of charge by microsoft, but this type of database will require more server resources than mySQL database.

Since hosting service is relatively cheap nowadays, I highly recommend you to get a paid service. I would rather spend a little bit more to get a decent service, rather than a free service that always bring down my site. Well, a typical hosting service will only cost you around $5 a MONTH with good and reasonable features. What can you buy with $5 nowdays? A cup of blended ice coffee at Starbucks will cost you $4 -$5 and how long can you sit in that cafe? Most likely, 6 hours! If you can afford to buy a cup of coffee at starbucks, certainly it is not a problem to get a hosting service @ $5 a MONTH!  :)

Hope this helps...