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Florida: Low-power start-up


Copyright 2005 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Co.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida)

July 15, 2005 Friday
ALL EDITION

SECTION: TICKET; Admit One; Pg. 3

LENGTH: 349 words

HEADLINE: Low-power start-up

BYLINE: Rod Harmon

BODY:


After years of gathering donations, hosting fund-raisers and attending countless informational workshops, the folks behind a new, low-powered FM radio station in downtown Sarasota may be only weeks away from getting on the air.

A lot will depend on how things go on Sunday, when volunteers with WSLR (96.5 FM) raise a tower, install a transmitter and test the station's signal.

If all goes well, listeners within a one- to three-mile radius will be able to hear alternative music, local news and commentary on current affairs sometime in August.

"Once we get up and running, we have a plan to broadcast 24/7 -- live programmers from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., and then automation from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.," said Arlene Sweeting, interim station manager of WSLR.

Sweeting and David Beaton, co-owners of Fogartyville Cafe in Bradenton, spearheaded efforts for a community radio station back in April 2003.

The original idea was to obtain a LPFM license for Anna Maria Island, but when they ran into competition from religious organizations, they decided to partner with the New College Student Alliance instead.

The station's studio will be located at New College's Hamilton Center, but the college will not be involved in the day-to-day operations, Sweeting said. That will be handled by volunteers.

An LPFM is a low-powered FM radio station that can be used only for noncommercial, educational purposes, and cannot exceed 100 watts.

The idea is make a miniaturized version of WMNF (88.5 FM) in Tampa, a 70,000-watt independent radio station known for its eclectic programming, both in terms of music and commentary.

But funds are still needed -- and will be even more so once the station actually begins operation. Fogartyville is hosting benefit concerts in August featuring singer-songwriters Pierce Pettis and Jimbo Mathis, formerly with Squirrel Nut Zippers. Volunteers are needed as well; for information, call 747-2880 or access www.wslr.org.

"You're going to be able to hear news and information about what's going on in your neighborhoods," Sweeting said. "It's access for people who have issues they care about."

LOAD-DATE: July 16, 2005