The Spirit of College Radio

This article in the gambit explores the launching of “The Dolphin” (1610-AM) and www.live365.com/stations/dolphinradio .  The title of the article is “College Radio Will Never Die”.  In this author’s opinion, the title is appropriate.  CBI is working to help stations survive, with an awareness campaign concerning the importance of FCC licensed student stations, after the sales of the licenses of KUSF, KTRU and WRVU last year and a special series of sessions at its fall conference later this month in Orlando.  The “survival” aspect is meant to help stations retain the FCC license through a series of sessions that help stations operate in compliance with the FCC rules, develop support for the station with students and alums, become more aware of issues that might signal that the station is for sale and in general help stations do everything possible to retain their FCC license.

A separate program, called “College Radio” day has been created (see the link on the right) which has many similar goals.

Despite the sale of FCC licenses, student radio is likely to survive when there is a willing spirit even if there is no FM signal.  Dolphin Radio is an example of the spirit of student college radio.  Dolphin Radio is starting with a part 15 (low power AM) and the Internet facility with automation to get started with little hope of ever obtaining an FCC license, just like hundreds, if not thousands of student stations at colleges, universities and high schools across the nation.

CBI believes stations with an FCC license should take steps now to protect that license, but the emphasis CBI places on the survival of college radio should not be misread as a statement that anything other than an FM license equals death or a non-viable operation.  What we do want to emphasize is the value of the FCC license as it increases the opportunity to reach a larger audience and offer more educational opportunities for the students involved.

CBI is not an FCC licensed organization.  Quite the opposite, while we place a great emphasis on helping FCC licensed stations, we also spend a significant amount of resources helping those who may not have a license, such as Internet stations, part 15 (low power AM – unlicensed) stations, TV cable stations, TV Internet stations and more. The CBI emphasis on the survival of student radio is done in an effort to help stations with a license to keep the license.

Sadly, part of that process is working with members to help them survive if their license is sold.

KTRU continues to operate on the Internet and via a leased HD2 FM channel and is developing mobile apps.   WRVU is still going with an Internet signal and an HD3 operation.  The future of KUSF is a little less clear at the moment.

CBI is here for your student operation and we wish “The Dolphin” the best of luck with its new station and are here for them and you.