New Station
Whussappi
of the stations here in town. Most are own by 3 big corporations and now
they just started to syndicate (outsource) out of state programming. I am
all for Capitalism but this is getting ridiculous. I have emailed the FCC
many times and it seems they are too busy to respond to my simple question.
I am not the only one who feels this way. There are others and when we get
our shot, we will show these corps that if you have a good station who
listens to their audience instead of a know it all CEO, a station will
defeat the corps everytime...
--
It Does Not Do To Dwell On Dreams, And Forget To Live...
Bob Stolz
there was an available frequency in the market in question.
The big companies you are referring to are doing what they do because they
can. It would take some level of FCC re-regulation (basically a reversal of
the 1996 communications act that Clinton signed) to reverse some of this. I
am not sure I see that happening anytime soon.
People bitch about these conglomerates but some of these stations are
getting HUGE ratings with these shows.
"Whussappi" <Whus...@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:11t3eqo...@corp.supernews.com...
David
DaveN
cities and towns are full-up with on-the-air radio stations. Though the
FCC is right now auctioning new FM station licenses in quite a few
small towns, some of them close to bigger cities. You can now buy a
satellite radio from either XM or Sirius and subscribe to their
100-plus-channel services for about 15 bucks a month. They mainly work
best in the car. You can also find literally thousands of Internet
radio stations, if you like the idea of listening via your
computer--pretty lame on dialup, not that great on DSL, maybe OK on
cable-internet. There are new radio choices being delivered by
cellphone. Even on-air radio is adding channels (HD digital radio),
and many stations are already broadcasting more choices on subchannels
that digital broadcasting make possible. The bad news: the new radio
you'll need so far costs about 300 bucks. The other bad news: the new
digital radio channels are being programmed by the same corporate radio
folks as the old ones. I'm guessing you long for a local sound. Local
radio station owners have pretty much forgotten what that means, and
the ratings system (Arbitron.com) is a blunt instrument: it isn't easy
for non-formula radio stations to register on its radar, and
advertisers and stations have become totally dependent on it for
decision-making. The good news: on-air radio's running scared, and
might just stumble into a revolution. We can hope.
rad...@verizon.net
So far i have found they want me to pay to advertise it!
It's Live365, but it's fun to program and see how it sounds!
http://h1.ripway.com/radio4us
Whussappi
This is what I am looking at and maybe this will give you a better idea why
I am asking. I have done the Internet Radio thing. It was fun but I got
bored and you don't reach as many people. I then got a broadcasting degree
so I could work at a station. Well, while I was interning at a local
station, I started my own show on a community radio station. They are new
and waiting for license so they were running it through the internet. I
loved it but I did more myself than they could. Station always had problems
and I just could handle the fact that I never knew if my show would air. So,
I got my degree and when I started my demo's and getting them ready to be
sent, 4 stations fired their morning shows and went to syndication.
Now, I decided well, I wanted to take matters into my own hands and start my
own station with my own format. I have backers and a lot of support but
getting anything from the FCC is like pulling teeth.
I guess my question is, should I apply for a license and pay all of the fees
and then wait for a response?
Thanks,
~Denny
"backdo...@yahoo.com" <rad...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1137893730.1...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
DaveN
radio--about 25 years in radio--stations and a syndicator-network.
Starting an on-air radio station (FCC licensed) is a daunting task
today. The new low-power stations are to be non-commercial only. I'm
assuming if you have backers you expect to be commercial. By far the
cheapest and least red-taped way to start a station now is on the
Internet. See, what radio is up against now is the addition of new
distribution channels--that exclude AM-FM. Or supplant it. Of course,
XM and Sirius are hot, and they're subscription services with their own
sets. Presumably, everything will be available via WiFi or cell phone
networks eventually--and the only way AM-FM stations will be available
that way is if they stream on the Net. But, the cell nets are adding
subscription audio and video--why would they want to let free AM-FM on
and not be able to get paid for it? The next question--what will you
program that will gather an audience big--or unique--enough to interest
advertisers. Or that listeners would be willing to pay for? These are
the questions commercial AM-FM broadcasters (and public ones, too) are
wrestling with right now. Very interesting time we live in. So, before
you spend a penny of your backers' money, make sure you're fully
knowledgeable about what's going on. Stations buying syndicated morning
shows are the least of your problems-to-solve. Read the trades:
insideradio.com (the best--worth subscribing to their daily fax-PDF),
billboard radio monitor (Google it) are the best. Drop in on my blog
once in a while, too -- http://dehype-radio.blogspot.com.
Rich Wood
<Whus...@cableone.net> wrote:
>I am not the only one who feels this way. There are others and when we get
>our shot, we will show these corps that if you have a good station who
>listens to their audience instead of a know it all CEO, a station will
>defeat the corps everytime...
I hate to disappoint you but many have had the chance. On what basis
are you making that claim? Where has a "community" station beaten a
major corporation?
There are quite a few LPFMs on the air doing what you propose, though
a "station who listens to their audience" usually means "plays my
personal favorite music mix."
"Everytime" is pretty absolute. Show us the ratings. We'll all keep it
a secret so a "corp" won't steal all those great format ideas.
Rich
Rich Wood
<Whus...@cableone.net> wrote:
>I guess my question is, should I apply for a license and pay all of the fees
>and then wait for a response?
Have you found an available frequency allocated to your market? Have
you hired the consulting engineers needed to prepare the documentation
necessary to show the FCC the transmitter site meets all the
requirements? Have you investigated what land you'll need for your
tower(s) or what leasing space on an existing tower will cost? What
will your power level be to avoid interfering with co and adjacent
channel stations? Where on the tower (how high) will the antenna be if
it's FM? That'll affect your TPO. If you're going to wipe out all
those corporate stations you're going to need at least a Class B. A
Class C if you're out West.
I'm pretty sure you can download the license application forms. That
should give you an idea what facilities you'll need and what they'll
cost even before you send in the application and fees.
The FCC doesn't do the work for you. You apply to them with all the
information they need. Since you have the financial backing to do it,
go for it. It's expensive, but the payback once you've wiped out all
those big operators is enormous. Then you become one of those big
operators. Have you formed the corporation you'll need to do all this?
Have you investigated the insurance coverage you'll need, both for
personal liability and things like errors and omissions in case
someone says something on the air and someone else sues you?
There's a lot of liability involved in running a station. I doubt
you'll want to do it as a sole proprietor.
Rich
Robert J Carpenter
"Rich Wood" <rich...@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:5au9t15jbog1gc7do...@4ax.com...
>
> Have you found an available frequency allocated to your market? Have
> you hired the consulting engineers needed to prepare the
> documentation
> necessary to show the FCC the transmitter site meets all the
> requirements?
BIG SNIP
Now, now Rich. There you go being negative again.
But perhaps you should have noted that if an unused channel is found
it will be opened to competitors so the original poster will be only
one of a possibly large number of applicants. And apparently the FCC
won't give him any "credit" for having found the channel.
Having started a station myself decades ago I know it can be satifying
... and it cured me of the desire. I proved that I don't have the
right motives to run a successful radio station. I might reenter
broadcasting if I win the lottery and have $100 million in my pocket.
bob carpenter
DaveN
thanks to these posters, you have a clue--and it's only the tip of the
iceberg. Keep studying. Don't spend your clueless "backers'" money.
Start an Internet station, if you must. Rich is snippy, but he's right
on all counts. So's Bob. If "steel tower" radio is going to be
relevant, it's going to have to get ultra-local and find a whole new
way of researching its market...music format remixes like those the HD
Radio Alliance companies are rolling out right now will not beat the
"corps."
gaffo
I like your minimalist artwork Dave.
do you plan to cover "Pirate" (Free-Micro) Radio?
I've run across 6 (excluding myself) these past 6 yrs now. 1/2 were
quite good.
of course they come and go.
--
"it is absurd that Bush said he relied on his inherent power
as president to authorize the wiretaps. If that's true,
he doesn't need the Patriot Act because he can just make it up as he
goes along.
I tell you, he's President George Bush, not King George Bush.
This is not the system of government we have and that we fought for,"
---Senator Feingold
Whussappi
All!" I have done quite a bit of research but obviously not enough. I am not
sure if I am coming across clearly. I never wanted a community radio
station. I worked at one and I knew more than those running the station. I
have also done the internet radio thing twice. It doesn't give me the
satisfaction I am looking for. I have interned at Clear Channel that had 7
stations and though it was nice, I watched them lose audiences because of a
format change along with a broadcasting change.
I am now currently in Northern Idaho, where I think it would be perfect for
a new and bold station. I have done my own polls, if you will asking what
the likes and dislikes. I found that most people do not care about
commercials if the format is good. The only reason why XM and Sirius are
gaining popularity is the formats. I know that there are no commercials and
they are not restricted like AM-FM channels. I honestly believe that if you
really put out what people want to hear, you can reap the rewards without
selling out to the big corps. It is like a movie, if you put out something
good, fun, and original, people will see it. You spend millions of dollars
on a crappy movie, forget it.
I do appreciate all the information but I am a little hard headed when it
comes to something I believe in. You have given me a lot to think about and
study.
Thanks,
~Denny
"Rich Wood" <rich...@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:upt9t1hpgksn0lcj7...@4ax.com...
DaveN
the pirates, I haven't followed that scene at all. I find the
buccaneers who run commercial radio more interesting and needful of
coverage other than the trades' cheerleading and fawning. Never thought
I'd be longing for the return of Jerry Del Colliano, but I am--the only
trade bomb-thrower radio ever had, and the only person who darn near
earned the title "journalist." But I digress. Are you willing to talk
about your pirate experience? Or at least steer me to the others?
DaveN
Just open-headed. If you're passionate and keep talking to your
(potential) audience, listen to your intuition, and stay away from
conventions (and Conventions), you might just get a station and
succeed. Your station should sound like your town, not the radio
business's syndicated town. But, get some good help navigating the
business and technical minefield--I'm not up to date on it, but the FCC
is auctioning FM construction permits. That should tell you, even if
you don't know what that is, that it's a new world. Look up Ben Dawson
and Jim Hatfield (Hatfield & Dawson) in Seattle--they're the best
consulting radio engineers in the Northwest, that I know of, anyway.
They'll tell you the truth about whether you can do it or not. That
would be the best place to start. With Ben's help, years ago, I
prevented an investor from dropping AMs into Seattle and Portland and
wasting a lot of money. If you're serious, it'd be money well spent.
gaffo
sure. Personally not much to tell.
I'm not "militant" or into the social reform aspects (I'm in the
conservative part of the Nation here so we don't have activists or
social networks like other places - say Austin, San Francisco or Santa Cruz.
I'm a Liberal and totally against consolidation and long for the 70's in
radio (and a few other things) - but my programming is mostly
non-political (Old-Time-RadioDramas), spastic - (on and off again over
these 5-years), and fleapowered (1-watt).
As John Anderson (one of the "Pirate Experts") says. I could be called a
"vanity station". Basically a free PC/ alot of mp3s and a 1-watter to
cover a VERY small part of my town.
Since cheap PC, cheap resalers like NRGkits, and mp3s - there has been
an estimated 2000 of us show up since 2000. the old style Pirates of the
80's and 90's using 20-200 watts and a staff and high profile have
remained as well - but the newer setups of one guy with an old PC laying
around have just started to show up.
From the 7-stations I've listened too:
One was MicroKind (this one was a high profile high powered with staff
and even court cases........just type "KicroKind" into Google and you
will find alot of hits. Kris Hurd was the founder.
there were two others which had a staff and one was 40watts and involved
an FCC man having to dig a 6-ft deep hole to retrieve the transmitter!!
(fcc field agent Loyd Perry.........pictures used to be in the internet-
may still be around somewhere ;-).) the other lasted one year at 20-watt
and was a favorite of mine. they played alot of music I'd had never
heard before and liked. they also had DJs to tell you what you just
heard!!! (unlike radio today!).
another one nearby only lasted 3-weeks - from the reception they had to
have been around 100 watts and even had commercials!! (some nightclub ad)
there was a "vanity station" here in my town for 2-months over the
summer (signal range was 1/2 mile so probably 1-watt) which broadcast
Pacifica stuff and Democracy Now. He got bored I guess, not heard him in
a few months.
> Or at least steer me to the others?
I can stear you to John Anderson's sight easily enough:
the Brattleboro war is happening now - the story is on Johns site under
the December New archives.
and a few months ago (September?) a similar war in Boulder was happening
(again!). Also on Johns site..........somewhere.
I'll see if Loyd Perry's pic is still on the net while I'm at it ;-).
--
"Eavesdropping on conversations of U.S citizens and others in the
United States without a court order and without complying with the
procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is both illegal
and unconstitutional. The administration is claiming extraordinary
presidential powers at the expense of civil liberties and is putting
the president above the law,"
---Caroline Fredrickson,
director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington Legislative
Office
gaffo
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-06-22/pols_feature.html
and it seems alot has been going on there since:
some sort of interlink system?
http://aprendizdetodo.com/austin/?item=20030707
info on San Diego pirate:
and the raid:
http://pittsburgh.indymedia.org/news/2005/07/19507.php
http://www.mediageek.net/?cat=2&paged=2
DaveN
this stuff. Bravo!
tomhend...@cs.com
> I'm not "militant" or into the social reform aspects (I'm in the
> conservative part of the Nation here so we don't have activists or
> social networks like other places - say Austin, San Francisco or Santa Cruz.
>
> I'm a Liberal and totally against consolidation and long for the 70's in
> radio (and a few other things) - but my programming is mostly
> non-political (Old-Time-RadioDramas), spastic - (on and off again over
> these 5-years), and fleapowered (1-watt).
>
> As John Anderson (one of the "Pirate Experts") says. I could be called a
> "vanity station". Basically a free PC/ alot of mp3s and a 1-watter to
> cover a VERY small part of my town.
>
Gaffo,
How about some new music for your station - I'd rather have
my music on your station than Clear Channel or Infinity -
I'd be glad to send you my new cd, NEXT for free -
its the 2nd post-bands cd
IF you have a safe address I can send it to.
Tom Hendricks
tomhend...@cs.com
The obvious just dawned on me -
OR
you could just download the MP3's that you like from
the site www.hunkasaurus.com - and no address needed.
Tom again
gaffo
tomhend...@cs.com
> "Eavesdropping on conversations of U.S citizens and others in the
> United States without a court order and without complying with the
> procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is both illegal
> and unconstitutional. The administration is claiming extraordinary
> presidential powers at the expense of civil liberties and is putting
> the president above the law,"
>
> ---Caroline Fredrickson,
> director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington Legislative
> Office
I wish some radio newsman with some spine would ask the President
the obvious. He must not want to get court approval because the
judges are pro-terrorist and anti-American. Who are these judges?
I agree with the president - we need to search out these
pro- terrorist judges of the FISA court! - ha ha! Oh wait a minute
that is just as absurd as the president's arguments.
Anyone with good indie news programs on their radio?