WOU Radio Station A non profit student radio system

The Idea A low cost student ran radio station Streaming web simulcast

Scenario one Build an AM radio station on campus

Pros Would be able to reach the community and students. Lower cost than a full fledge FM station. Provides students with valuable training.

Cons Expensive to build Licensure proved costly High voltage safety concerns RF hazard makes antenna location difficult. Height of antenna makes construction difficult.

Scenario Two Build a low power FM radio Station on campus.

Pros Would be able to reach the community and students. Lower cost than a full fledge FM station. Lower cost than a full fledge AM station. Antenna smaller with lower RF. No high Voltage Provides students with valuable training. No licensing --- just royalties

What the FCC thinks Low Power FM Broadcast Radio Stations This page contains information about the Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service, which was created by the Commission in January These stations are authorized for noncommercial educational broadcasting only (no commercial operation) and operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 watts (0.1 kilowatts) or less, with maximum facilities of 100 watts ERP at 30 meters (100 feet) antenna height above average terrain (HAAT). The approximate service range of a 100 watt LPFM station is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles radius). LPFM stations are not protected from interference that may be received from other classes of FM stations. A construction permit is required before a LPFM station can be constructed or operated. LPFM stations are available to noncommercial educational entities and public safety and transportation organizations, but are not available to individuals or for commercial operations. Current broadcast licensees with interests in other media (broadcast or newspapers) are not eligible to obtain LPFM stations. LPFM stations must protect authorized radio broadcast stations on the same channel or frequency (cochannel), as well as broadcast stations on first, second, or third- adjacent channels above or below the LPFM station's frequency. This protection is accomplished through the use of minimum distance separation requirements, which are set forth in 47 CFR [PDF].47 CFR [PDF]

Cons Lower output wattage ~ travels under 10 miles.

LPFM radio station

What is in it 50 watt FM Stereo Transmitter Integrated CD Player Integrated Cassette Player Built In Audio Mixer Professional Microphone and Cables Omni directional 3.4db Gain Antenna and Coax Installed and prewired in a high impact road case! Dedicated media server for simulcast.

Webcast system needs Minimum System Requirements CPU 1.0 GHz Windows server GB RAM DSL Internet connection A direct IP connection. 500 GB Hard drive We Recommend: A dedicated machine for broadcasting; broadcasting can be CPU intensive Dual ISDN Internet connection or better Full duplex, medium to high end sound card 2GB RAM or more CPU 2.0 GHz or faster Mid to high end quality microphone Clean source audio Sufficient hard drive space for a collection of audio files if you intend on broadcasting from your hard drive. 2 one TB hard drives

Webcast software needs Both streaming technologies are similar in how they work and neither seems to be a better choice over the other. They both use MP3 format for their music files. Media for broadcast and simulcast in MP3 format

Content Licensure for Radio Stations Regular multicast (Radio and internet) broadcasting licensure Licensing through the BMI BMI is a performing right organization: It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.

Content Licensure requirements All campus radio stations under the non- commercial compulsory rate will furnish BMI weekly lists of each station’s performance of all musical works. These lists will include information as to whether or not the station’s performances were transmitted over the Internet. The compositions performed will be indicated by title and composer upon written request by BMI with not less than two weeks notice. Such lists need not be furnished for more than two weeks for each contract year.

Content Licensure requirements cont. The Two-tier Option is for colleges with lower full-time enrollment and fewer musical attractions than larger institutions. This option requires that each musical attraction (that is, those only promoted by the school) be reported separately. This option consists of a two-part license fee: (A) The first part is an annual payment, calculated by multiplying the Per Student Fee times the full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment in the fall academic term. There is a minimum fee for this option for each contract year. (B) The second part of the fee structure for the two-tier option is a fee for any musical event presented on the college premises and promoted only the institution itself and where the entertainment costs total $1500 or more. This fee is determined by two factors: - the seating capacity of the facility; and - the gross ticket revenues.

More… requires the payment of an annual CPI-adjusted fee. This compulsory fee is charged for each campus radio broadcasting station which does not receive revenue from the sale of air time and which is not licensed under the terms of any license agreement between BMI and NPR. On an annual basis, you will be asked to submit an updated Exhibit A to assist BMI in identifying web sites affiliated with your college or university that use music so that BMI will know to exclude them for its routine Internet licensing sales efforts. -BMI

Cost projection $5500 for station kit $2500 estimated FCC permit to build $3500 for server $4000 software / media $ a year in Royalty licensing $2000 labor for initial setup. $UNK student upkeep & Mgmt (funded?) $20,000 estimated for site survey Total= Approximately $38,500 and the yearly cost of BMI.