2008 Woodie Awards
Radio station battles for broadcasting rights
Billy Nollet
Issue date: 3/31/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The FM radio airwaves of Embry-Riddle have been quiet ever since the campus radio station, KFLI, was shut down last year.
In an attempt to better understand the current status regarding radio broadcasting for the ERAU radio station, Horizons recently interviewed assistant General Manager, John Lubbers.
Our radio station was broadcasting without a license "like a lot of college radio stations do," stated Lubbers.
However, a problem arose for the station when another local radio station wanted the rights to the KFLI call sign. In order to avoid any legal confrontations, Embry Riddle officials told the station to omit broadcasting all together, rather than to simply change the call sign.
Lubbers explained that the campus radio station is trying to acquire federal regulations as proof that no legal ramifications will, in fact, occur. The station is trying to secure a low power FM license from the FCC.
"[This license] would enable the station to be broadcast on an undetermined frequency in a small area," said Lubbers.
Some short-term progress is currently being made by using a "loophole" in the system that allows the station to be broadcast at a distance of 200 feet. Lubbers clarified that when an iPod sends a weak signal to the stereo to be picked up in the car, it is using this same loophole. The radio station's antenna presents another problem, however, because the station, even when set on its lowest power setting, can reach as far as the Gateway Mall. The expected solution, according the Lubbers, is to put the antenna on the very bottom of the tower, on the lowest power setting.
The radio is currently available to students in the dorms by going to [mms://radio/live] in Internet Explorer (or other internet browsing program).
The play format is primarily alternative and new rock; groups such as Yellowcard, Weezer, and independent bands are only a few of the names slotted on the play list. Occasionally, an outside DJ will host a special program, featuring anything from Classic Rock to Rap.
In an attempt to better understand the current status regarding radio broadcasting for the ERAU radio station, Horizons recently interviewed assistant General Manager, John Lubbers.
Our radio station was broadcasting without a license "like a lot of college radio stations do," stated Lubbers.
However, a problem arose for the station when another local radio station wanted the rights to the KFLI call sign. In order to avoid any legal confrontations, Embry Riddle officials told the station to omit broadcasting all together, rather than to simply change the call sign.
Lubbers explained that the campus radio station is trying to acquire federal regulations as proof that no legal ramifications will, in fact, occur. The station is trying to secure a low power FM license from the FCC.
"[This license] would enable the station to be broadcast on an undetermined frequency in a small area," said Lubbers.
Some short-term progress is currently being made by using a "loophole" in the system that allows the station to be broadcast at a distance of 200 feet. Lubbers clarified that when an iPod sends a weak signal to the stereo to be picked up in the car, it is using this same loophole. The radio station's antenna presents another problem, however, because the station, even when set on its lowest power setting, can reach as far as the Gateway Mall. The expected solution, according the Lubbers, is to put the antenna on the very bottom of the tower, on the lowest power setting.
The radio is currently available to students in the dorms by going to [mms://radio/live] in Internet Explorer (or other internet browsing program).
The play format is primarily alternative and new rock; groups such as Yellowcard, Weezer, and independent bands are only a few of the names slotted on the play list. Occasionally, an outside DJ will host a special program, featuring anything from Classic Rock to Rap.