Radio Station Field Trip #116 - KHDX at Hendrix College

Little Free Music Library at college radio station KHDX. Photo: J. Waits

For my next radio station visit, I toured college radio station KHDX-FM at Hendrix College in Conway in early October, 2016, Arkansas. A class D FM radio station, KHDX is notable for the wide range of creative projects led by its DJs and show hosts. I was also excited to meet up with four KHDX staffers soon after my visit at the Grassroots Radio Conference.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #115 - KXUA at University of Arkansas

Poster at college radio station KXUA. Photo: J. Waits

While on a trip to Arkansas for the Grassroots Radio Conference, I made some time for a handful of radio station visits. My first stop, on October 6, 2016, was to see college radio station KXUA at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The student-run college radio station launched over FM in 2000, although student radio activities on campus date back to the 1970s.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor and also take a listen to Radio Survivor Podcast #69 for my audio tour of KXUA.

Radio Station Field Trip #114 - WCAS at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Poster for college radio station WCAS Radio. Photo: J. Waits

While visiting Denver in July, I had the opportunity to see two college radio stations at Metropolitan State University: student-run Met Radio (tour #106) and WCAS Radio, which is run by the Communication Arts & Sciences Department as a lab for broadcasting students.

Run on automation during summer break, WCAS Radio has student-run shows during the school year, including music, talk and even radio drama. In addition to the current station, the department plans to launch a new sports-oriented unlicensed AM radio station during this academic year.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #113 - KEPC at Pikes Peak Community College

Sticker on the door at KEPC. Photo: J. Waits

While in Colorado Springs this July, I stopped by Pikes Peak Community College's radio station KEPC 89.7 FM. Focused on training students for careers in radio, the station airs an alternative music format. As students proceed through their coursework in the school's Radio & Television Program, they have opportunities to get on the air, with some hosting regular shows. Around since the 1970s, KEPC also had some historical artifacts at the station, including vintage carts, reel-to-reels and even some transcription discs.

See my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #112 - KBPK at Fullerton College

Bumper sticker at college radio station KBPK. Photo: J. Waits

At the start of my summer (on June 1), I took a trip to see college radio station KBPK at Fullerton College. An on-air lab for Communications students at the Orange County-based community college; KBPK runs a format of mostly adult contemporary music. Students who come through the station aspire to jobs in radio eventually, with some going on to 4-year colleges and others heading straight to work after their time at KBPK.

See my complete write-up on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #111 - KUCI at UC Irvine

Records at college radio station KUCI. Photo: J. Waits

Although I had visited University of California, Irvine's college radio station KUCI-FM several times in the past for UC Radio Network conferences, it wasn't until June, 2016 that I took a dedicated tour of the station. This trip was particularly fun because I got to chat with General Manager Kevin Stockdale about his hopes for the station's 50th anniversary in 2019. It was a timely reminder that many of us should plan ahead for significant radio anniversaries.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor.

Radio Station Field Trip #110 - KVCU Radio 1190 at University of Colorado, Boulder

Radio 1190 lobby. Photo: J. Waits

My summer was pretty busy as far as station tours go and it was really fun taking some road trips through Colorado. On July 12, 2016, I visited college radio station Radio 1190 (aka KVCU-AM) at University of Colorado, Boulder. Its basement home was jam-packed with records, flyer and sticker-covered walls. One of the few AM college radio stations that I've visited, KVCU was excitedly launching a new FM translator at the time of my visit.

Read my full report on Radio Survivor and hear more about the visit on Radio Survivor Podcast #63.