A. We’ve launch a web-based version of the station in late 2000, so we just need to build our studios and fill out our volunteer and  on air staff. But a broadcast signal is a bit harder to get. To do this, we have to get Congress to pass a bill called the Local Community Radio Act. And we have to get the FCC to make a rule change that would open up more dial space for new low-power FM (LPFM) stations. Both of these things are moving right now, so we feel good about our chances to start operations late 2009 early 2010! 

A. There are no radio stations available in Chicago, and if one were to become available, it would cost tens of millions of dollars. But when you apply for a new low power FM (LPFM) license (assuming licenses are available), it costs almost nothing. 

A. Our webcast, of course, will be able to be heard by anyone with web access and speakers anywhere in the world. As far as a potential broadcast, LPFM is by its nature, low power. Licenses range from 10-100 watts. To give you an idea of that, a station like WKKC or WHPK is 250-100 watts. We’re hoping for 100 watts, and we’re trying to figure out a placement that would best allow us to reach the most likely chunks of our audience, but we will not be able to cover the entire city or the suburbs with the broadcast. 

A. For much the same reason explained in the question
about buying a station. There are no full power stations available, and if there were, they would cost millions of dollars. Even if licenses were available to apply for, there are large costs involved in applying and setting up a full power station. In contrast, a LPFM station costs nearly nothing to apply for, and can be set up relatively cheaply. Yes, it would be great to have a strong signal that would cover all of the city and suburbs, but it’s not realistic. 

A. As the law governing LPFMs was written back in 2000, no big cities are allowed to have LPFMs because Congress accepted the argument from the (NAB) National Association of Broadcasters that LPFMs would cause interference with full-power stations in cities, because the dial is too crowded. But the FCC commissioned a major independent study (the MITRE report) after that, which showed that LPFMs do NOT cause interference. Now we need Congress to change the law to allow LPFM stations in cities. 

A. A translator is a transmitter and antenna put in place to transmit a signal from a distant station. Translators were supposed to be used to make sure a local radio station wasn’t “jumping over” any of its coverage area. But translator licenses have been misused over the past decade, with stations using them to build national networks. There are a dozen translators in Chicago, doing absolutely no local programming, and taking up space on the dial that could be occupied by new, local LPFM stations (translators and LPFM stations use exactly the same transmission equipment, yet Congress elected not to regulate translator licenses in big cities, while prohibiting LPFMs!). Most of the translators in Chicago are retransmitting religious programming from a single station in northern California. We are asking the FCC to change this rule, and they are considering ways to do it. They already have decided to reduce the number of translator licenses a company can apply for. 

A. A web version of the station is available now, hopefully around December 2009 We'll have a new WJPC FM studio in Bronzeville. Assuming we get the rule's changed the, FCC would announce an application window for new and old applicants that applied in 2000 like(Urbanmediaone/WJPC FM(Southside)CHIRP(Northside), and Radio Arte 90.5(Pilsen-near westside)  LPFMs, and we’d submit our application. We don’t know when that would happen – it depends on what Congress does, and then on how quickly the FCC acts. And of course the FCC is the ultimate decision-maker. They would have to evaluate our application and determine whether there is room for us on the dial. 

A. The death of radio has been declared many times. But even now, 75% of all Americans listen to the radio at some point every single day. Most people who have left radio entirely, or who have cut back on listening, have done so because of the increase in commercials, the lack of variety, the repetition of music, and the disappearance of localism. Part of radio’s mission is to serve the local community, and broadcast in the public interest. Radio is intimate – it’s with you in your car, your house, wherever you want it. It’s affordable and accessible. It’s quick, able to tell you what’s going on almost the moment it happens. At its best, radio is connected to a single community in a way that the internet, satellite radio, and even television never can be. Community radio is all about localism, diversity, and adventurousness in programming, and it’s non-commercial. Many people listening to community radio tell us they had “given up” on radio until they discovered the station. Our goal is to create a station that you’d actually want to listen to, free of commercials and repetition, and replete with great music, a real focus on Chicago, and interesting views you can’t find anywhere else on the dial, all brought to you by people with a true passion for great radio. 

A. We need to fund the costs of  renting space, building out studios, purchasing equipment, and paying bills. Additionally, we need to be in a good position to be able to commission an engineering study to reapply for a license once an application window opens. Once our application is accepted, we need to have money in place to purchase a second  transmitter and antenna, and to transition our web studio to a broadcast studio. We hope to raise $30,000-$50,000 over the coming year.