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News :: Media |
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FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
Current rating: 0 |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
22 Dec 2003
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News was received today that the FCC granted a Construction Permit to Socialist Forum on Dec. 19 to construct a Low Power FM station on 104.5 Mhz in Urbana. |
News was received today that the FCC granted a Construction Permit to Socialist Forum on Dec. 19 to construct a Low Power FM station on 104.5 Mhz in Urbana. The station is intended to serve the community with public affairs programming, but will also host an eclectic mix of other alternative programming to entertain and enlighten the community.
The reception area will include all of Urbana, most of Champaign, and a lot of cornfields beyond. It may be possible for those in nearby communities who have good antennas at optimal locations to also receive the station, given the flat terrain of the area.
We have until June 19, 2005 to get the station on the air. This will require some fundraising, as it will cost us somewhere around $10,000 to build it. The UC IMC is already working on grant applications to help with this. The IMC will be our partner in operating the station, but SF will remain the licensee.
There will be more info to follow. Those interested in working on the station can contact the IMC (next meeting Jan. 8, 8pm) or SF (next meeting Jan. 17, 3-5pm.) All meetings are at the IMC, 218 West Main St., Urbana, IL. |
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Re: FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
by kphilo
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Dec 2003
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Right on! Exciting stuff... two independent radio stations in one town!! |
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Community Radio Rocks |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Dec 2003
Modified: 10:48:44 PM |
Yes, it is a great thing, only doubled. The people at WEFT have been encouraging all along. WEFT is a member of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, which has devoted itself to helping get more radio in the hands of more people. The new station will also be joining the NFCB, as they have a special rate to encourage new LPFMs to join.
FCC regualtions prohibit any formal marketing agreements between LPFMs and other broadcasters and we don't want to duplicate WEFT's great lineup. While there have yet to be any discussions on the ways that both stations can synergistically promote community radio, I can imagine coordinating airshifter classes, possibly sharing acquisition of certain equipment that would benefit both stations, like remote broadcasting gear, and building on the already fine infrastructure of talented airshifters that live in our towns.
One thing that the LPFM won't need to be doing is a lot of fundraising, once the station is on the air. WEFT has regional coverage and the power, antennas, and resources needed to do that all cost money. The investment shows in all the great things that WEFT has accomplished and will continue to do so with the ace team over in Champaign. There is no need to put that level of resources in our community into the LPFM. Its reach is much more limited, with generally good reception within 3.5 miles of the transmitter, which will be near downtown Urbana.
The costs of operating a LPFM station are minimal compared to a full-power station like WEFT, so once we are on the air, other than a power bill less than many households have, along with equipment upkeep and acquisition costs, will constitute most of the financial needs. This development is an exciting one for our community and will offer more opportunities than ever before to break out of the commercial sludge served up across most of the radio dial. |
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Re: FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
by WYQZ 96.7
wyqz967 (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 3
23 Dec 2003
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Congrats on the CP and good luck from your brotherly LPFM station in Virginia. Merry Christmas and happy holidays. |
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Re: FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
by pm
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -1
23 Dec 2003
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That's great news! Thanks for the holiday present. Non-commercial, non-Right Wing radio. Excellent.
As I recall, the LPFM licenses were going to be for different power levels. Is this a 20 watt license? |
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100 Watts ERP |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Dec 2003
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The license is for 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP). This means that the station may actually run a bit less than 100 watts, depending on the gain and height of the antenna as determined in a complex formula that I do not have the proper skills to interpret for you. The FCC does figure it out for each licensee and will set the actual power.
In any case, it'll be well over 20 watts. The FCC says that the average primary service coverage area for a station in our class is the area within a radius that is within 3.5 miles of the transmitter location or in other words, a circle with a diamter of 7 miles. If you have a good location and are within line of site, actual reception could be quite a bit further. If you have terrain or a building in the line of sight from the transmitter to the location of the receiver, the range may be simewhat less than 3.5 miles. Other options that could aid those beyond over-the-air range are cable or internet broadcasting. |
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Re: FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
by thorn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
23 Dec 2003
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Congratulations! And YOU ML, are due a lot of the credit.
I remember when you had LPFM planning meetings in your own home several years ago, and now at long last, the dream is becoming a reality!
Thank you for never giving up! You rock with emotion, ML!
Mass-Media for The People! (...of The People, by The People...)
Glad to see that the WEFTies were so helpful. Another righteous group of volunteers, and one of the jewels of CU. |
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Re: FCC Issues Construction Permit For New Low Power Radio Station On 104.5 FM To Socialist Forum |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -4
28 Dec 2003
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Dear Nutbags,
Congrats on your second low power radio station that you have acquired. How close does one have to be to listen to it. Is it a call in show? I know that you folks pretty much shun alternative views. Can I do a weekly spot? How about a point-counter point with Jack Ryan featured once a week? Do you want a radio station or do you want listeners? I am completely on the up and up here. How does one apply for a show?
Jack |
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Trying Reading.... |
by 5
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
29 Dec 2003
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All the info needed to help out with the station is included in the last paragraph of the article, sir. |
