Re: [ARSCLIST] Community Radio

[Angie Dickinson Mickle <angie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom Fine wrote:
> I wasn't talking about internet-only at all. I was talking about using 
> modern technology to make equipment investment minimal.

Sorry. It was brought up.  I thought I'd share what I knew about it.

> Net-only is very easy, just do a podcast. But, as I've said before, 
> beware of ASCAP/BMI rules.And, even if you load up a podcast file of
> 192K MP3 (which becomes a rather large file when you get up to 30-60 
> minutes), the quality is still sub-par from a good-quality FM broadcast 
> (but better than over-processed headache inducing garbage found on most 
> FM frequencies in most places today).

I don't buy into any thing that starts with "pod".  An MP3 file is an 
MP3 file.  It is the encoder that can make the difference.
I would urge you to take a listen to SAW radio.  It really sounds very 
good. http://www.sawstudio-media.com/radio/radio.htm

> The thing that interested me about community radio is that it would be 
> nice to have a real-deal FM-quality signal (albeit low power with 
> limited range) with something aside from what Evergreen and Clearchannel 
> decide is good content. I'd also love to open it up to some of the local 
> high school kids and older folks who are into music -- see if exposure 
> to different tastes and styles broadens everyone involved.

I couldn't agree more.  But as you pointed out it is a pain.  And as I 
remember it takes forever for FCC approval.  I won't even go into how 
expensive it would be.  If you have unlimited funds, it is a great idea. 
 I'd rather advertise an internet-only station.

I had never heard the term "community radio" until I moved out here to 
Colorado and got involved with a theatre group that started producing a 
weekly radio drama.

Where I grew up a "College" radio station was a station run by the 
college (that's were the money came from) for and by students of that 
college.  A "Public" station was an NPR affiliate which paid its staff. 
 A "Community" station is all volunteer and lots of fund raising.  In 
some cases, the programming leaves a lot to be desired and sound quality 
... there are no standards for some.  I'm not a big fan. But then again 
my experience with it was not that great.

Here is something else you might consider.  When I was in radio, a 
couple stations I worked for would sell hour and 1/2 hour blocks of time 
on weekend afternoon and evenings.  We had a guy who bought most of 
Sunday afternoon for a Spanish show (extremely popular).  And another 
who did a motorcycle call-in program in the evening.  They both sold 
time for their own show to help pay for the time.

Our high school radio show was done live at another station I worked for 
(I worked there while in high school) which donated the time.  In this 
case, the station used it as part of thiner public service requirement. 
 I don't know if that is still a regulation or not.

These were the days before station conglomerates, but you can still find 
locally owned stations across the country that do this.  I heard about a 
guy recently that is buying time for his show at a local station.  Much 
cheaper than starting your own radio station, community or otherwise.

Angie Dickinson Mickle
Avocado Productions
Arvada, CO
www.avocadoproductions.com


> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Dickinson Mickle" 
> <angie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 5:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Community Radio
>
>
> > Having been a radio DJ some years ago, I've actually looked into 
> > starting an internet-only station, though with original music and 
> > content. (I miss "playing radio" as we used to call it.  I don't miss 
> > all the sales and management politics that went with it.)
> >
> > When I actually get around to doing this, I plan to use servers from 
> > this company. http://www.radiostreamer.com  Their DRS 2006 automation 
> > software is quite good also and have considered it just for home use.
> >
> > For those interested in using commercial content, this site offers a 
> > licensing service for internet radio station. 
> > http://www.loudcity.net/Home/tabid/35/Default.aspx  For the hobbiest, 
> > it seems pretty reasonable.  The site also may have answers to some of 
> > the licensing questions that have been tossed around in this thread. 
> > I'm sure there are other services like this also.
> >
> > I also worried about the quality of internet streaming.  Even 
> > commercial talk stations like WGN have problems with that whishing 
> > sound.  Then I heard what a well encoded stream can sound like. I 
> > listen to this one often.  
> > http://www.sawstudio-media.com/radio/radio.htm  He uses the DRS 
> > servers and his own automation software.
> >
> > Just sharing some links with everyone.
> >
> > Angie Dickinson Mickle
> > Avocado Productions
> > Arvada, CO
> > www.avocadoproductions.com
> >
> >
> > --
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