Radio Station Visit #150 - Portland Radio Project

Portland Radio Project signage on its building in Portland, Oregon. Photo: J. Waits

Amid the flurry of new low power FM (LPFM) community radio stations is Portland Radio Project in Portland, Oregon. Originally planned as a streaming radio station, the founders embraced the LPFM opportunity in order to bring a mix of music and public affairs programming to the airwaves.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #146: WGXC's Hudson Studio

WGXC banner in front of station's Hudson location. Photo: J. Waits

Wave Farm operates community radio station WGXC-FM out of studios in both Acra and Hudson, New York. While my previous field trip report on my visit to the Acra location delves into the transmissions arts aspects of the station; my trip to the Hudson studio reveals more about WGXC's overall programming. Located in a church basement, WGXC Hudson has an active roster of show hosts from the area and a community-oriented approach to news programming. Its app even facilitates live broadcasts generated by a wide group of contributors; ranging from arts venues to civic-minded individuals.

See my full report on Radio Survivor and hear more about my tour on Radio Survivor Show #151.

Radio Station Visit #145: Wave Farm and WGXC Hudson

Sound effects toys in the studio at Wave Farm's WGXC Acra. Photo: J. Waits

I was pretty blown away by my visit last month to the arts-focused Wave Farm in Acra, New York. Home to community radio station WGXC-FM, it's also a hot bed for transmission arts and radio-oriented artists-in-residence. Hidden radios dot a trail through the woods, with transmission art pieces throughout the property, including a pond radio station and Quintron's Weather Warlock. With another main studio in Hudson, New York (the topic of my next tour post), WGXC not only airs experimental programming, but also news, music shows, and youth programming.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor. Also, hear more about my visit on Radio Survivor Show/Podcast #151.

Radio Station Visit #140 - KLLG-LP in Willits, California

Stickers at KLLG-LP. Photo: J. Waits

In April, 2017, I took a trip to see one of the newest low power FM (LPFM) community radio stations: KLLG-LP in Willits, California. Located at the Little Lake Grange, the station has already proven to be a vital community resources, particularly after a devastating wildfire threatened the region last month.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #138 - WPPM-LP in Philadelphia

Stickers at PhillyCAM. Photo: J. Waits

It was my good fortune to be in Philadelphia on the day that PhillyCAM officially launched its new low power FM community radio station WPPM-LP back in October, 2016. The long-time public access non-profit recently branched out into radio and is enjoying the benefits of operating both television and terrestrial radio outlets.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #129 - WTJU at University of Virginia

Steve Keene painting at WTJU. Photo: J. Waits

I spent my St. Patrick's Day immersed in college radio culture at the WTJU-hosted "College Radio: Then, Now and Next" symposium at University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Following the event, I popped by the station for an evening tour. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, WTJU operates as a community radio-college radio hybrid, with a small percentage of students, particularly in recent years, after the founding of student-run sister station WXTJ.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #124 - Community Radio Station WRIR-LP in Richmond, VA

Art at Richmond Independent Radio. Photo: J. Waits

My March 18, 2017 visit to Richmond Independent Radio (WRIR-LP) was a treat for many reasons. First of all, I met a fellow Haverford College radio alum and second, I learned about WRIR's important role in the history of low power FM. A LPFM station from the first licensing window, WRIR has been on the FM airwaves in Richmond, Virginia since 2005.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #121 - KUHS-LP in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Glimpse into KUHS-LP Studio. Photo: J. Waits

My final radio station visit during my journey to Arkansas last October was a trip to low power FM station KUHS-LP in Hot Springs. Host station for the 2016 Grassroots Radio Conference, KUHS-LP is a new LPFM, having launched in August, 2015. The solar-powered station is home to an interesting mix of music and talk programming, from hip hop to vaporwave.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Visit #120 - KABF in Little Rock

Sticker-covered can at community radio station KABF. Photo: J. Waits

On October 7, 2016, I visited long-time community radio station KABF-FM in Little Rock, Arkansas. Launched in 1984, the 100,000 watt station has as its mission to be the "Voice of the People" and it is closely aligned with social justice movements. Volunteer DJs and hosts produce a wide range of music, public affairs and news programs and some of that programming is made available to community radio stations all over the country.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #118 - KPSQ-LP in Fayetteville, AR

Promotional materials at KPSQ-LP. Photo: J. Waits

On my first day in Arkansas during my October, 2016 visit, I wrapped up my night with a trip to new low power FM (LPFM) community radio station KPSQ-LP in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Located on the third floor of the Chancellor Hotel, the station plays a mix of local and syndicated music and talk shows, including programming from Pacifica.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #117 - KCHUNG Radio

Signage leading to KCHUNG Radio. Photo: J. Waits

Last summer, I had a fun trip to see community radio station KCHUNG in Los Angeles. The streaming and unlicensed low power AM station has deep connections with the arts community and airs a range of freeform music and talk programming. Also notable for its funky digs above a Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown, KCHUNG has drawn a diverse collection of show hosts and solid partnerships with Los Angeles arts organizations.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #107 - KOMF-LP in Denver

Denver Open Media sign. Photo: J. Waits

A few weeks ago, on July 7, 2016, I visited a brand new low power FM (LPFM) radio station in Denver, Colorado. KOMF-LP is a project of Open Media Foundation and is the result of the collaborative efforts of Denver Open Media and Denver Hackerspace. The two groups were initially competitors, but ended up working together to build the station, realizing that both organizations had important skills that were needed to create and run a radio station.

See my full tour on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #105 - CHIRP Radio in Chicago

CHIRP Radio T-shirt. Photo: J. Waits

In April, I visited another soon-to-be low power FM (LPFM) community radio station: CHIRP Radio in Chicago. Already a long-time streaming radio station, CHIRP's staff and volunteers were instrumental in the grassroots movement for the Local Community Radio Act, so it's particularly gratifying that they are benefiting from their efforts.

With an active volunteer staff, CHIRP is already a respected voice in the Chicago music community in particular. See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #104 - WERA-LP Radio Arlington

WERA-LP legal ID posted on equipment at Radio Arlington. Photo: J. Waits

I wrapped up my east coast tour of radio stations on February 28, 2016, with a visit to Radio Arlington. The brand new low power FM (LPFM) community radio station launched in Arlington, Virginia in December, 2015 with call letters WERA-LP. Although the station is new, it's part of Arlington Independent Media, a long-time membership-based media organization that runs a television station and offers media training.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #103 - Takoma Radio

Takoma Radio sign and equipment at founder Marika Partridge's house. Photo: J. Waits

It's always fun to see a radio station before it launches and I got to do just that in February, peeking behind the scenes as Takoma Radio prepared for its foray into low power FM (LPFM) broadcasting. I met with founder Marika Partridge at her home and then we walked over to the location of the station's future studio in Takoma Park, Maryland. The LPFM community radio station will launch in a few short weeks, on July 16, 2016. See my full tour report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip 94 - XRAY.fm in Portland, Oregon

Salt and Pepper shakers at XRAY.fm. Photo: J. Waits

Over the summer, I did a small radio station tour road trip, hitting KWVA at University of Oregon in Eugene, KAOS at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and finally community radio station XRAY.fm in Portland, Oregon.

The beneficially of Reed College's former license, XRAY.fm operates over a very low power class D FM channel as well as on a translator in Portland. The relatively new station is already garnering fans and accolades from the local press for its mix of progressive talk programming and wide-ranging music shows.

Read my complete report about my tour of XRAY.fm on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip 93 - KBOO in Portland, Oregon

KBOO's Development Director Becky Meiers. Photo: J. Waits

On November 8, 2015, I visited community radio station KBOO-FM in Portland, Oregon. Around since 1968 and going strong today with more than 500 volunteers, KBOO airs a mix of talk and music programming, covering a wide range of topics and genres. The station also runs a Youth Collective, giving young people access to the airwaves.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip 83 - ARTxFM in Louisville

Flyers at ARTxFM. Photo: J. Waits

I'd been looking forward to visiting Louisville, Kentucky for a long time and one of the big reasons was because I wanted to check out the streaming community radio station ARTxFM. I first met its founder, Sharon Scott, several years ago when she was working to fight the shut-down and sale of her alma mater college radio station at Vanderbilt University (WRVU-FM) and we've become close friends.

Enthusiastic about starting up a community radio station, Scott worked to found ARTxFM and then led the station through the application process for a new low power FM (LPFM) license. With a construction permit in hand, ARTxFM will be on the terrestrial airwaves within a year.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip 74 - Hollow Earth Radio in Seattle

Entrance to Hollow Earth Radio. Photo: J. Waits

While in Seattle last October, I visited a number of radio stations that are preparing to migrate to low power FM (LPFM). One such station is streaming community radio station Hollow Earth Radio. Already an established presence in Seattle (it's been around since 2007), Hollow Earth has a full schedule of shows and also puts on an annual music event called the Magma Festival.

Read my full story on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip 72 - KUSF-in-Exile/San Francisco Community Radio

KUSF-in-Exile/San Francisco Community Radio Studio in 2015. Photo: J. Waits

Sunday, January 18, 2015 was the 4th anniversary of the shutdown of the 90.3 FM signal for University of San Francisco's college radio station KUSF. On that occasion, I decided to visit KUSF-in-Exile (now also known as San Francisco Community Radio) and catch up with one of my favorite DJs there.

Made up of some KUSF alumni DJs as well as newer community members, San Francisco Community Radio operates its streaming radio station from a studio far from the University of San Francisco campus. With hopes of obtaining a new low power FM (LPFM) license, it's been chugging along with not only radio shows, but also regular events around the city.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.