| Enter the gallery |
DN_h_lib |
| Latest Events |
|---|
|
There are no upcoming events currently scheduled. View Full Calendar |
| Search the Prometheus site: |
|---|
| Can't find it on the new site? |
|---|
| Look for it on the old site: oldsite.prometheusradio.org! |
| Translate the site: |
|---|
|
|
| Nebraska: Callaway Gears Up for 'Micro Radio' Station |
|
Omaha World Herald (Nebraska) May 27, 2003, Tuesday SUNRISE EDITION SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 1b; LENGTH: 596 words HEADLINE: Callaway man gears up for 'micro radio' station BYLINE: By Paul Hammel SOURCE: WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER DATELINE: CALLAWAY, Neb. BODY: After earning a master's degree in broadcasting, James Morrow ditched radio for raising hogs and two daughters in central Nebraska. Now, Morrow, 40, is going to get a chance to use his education. A nonprofit group that he put together, Callaway Village Radio Inc., recently was granted a permit to build a low-power FM station. It is one of dozens of so-called "micro radio" licenses being awarded across the country by the Federal Communications Commission to provide "new voices" on the airwaves and battle an influx of unlicensed, "pirate" stations. The low-power licenses, created in 2000, have opened up a low-cost spot on the dial to nonprofit groups, mostly associated with churches or cultural groups. It's also offered opportunities for statewide chains of stations broadcasting in 10- to 15-mile areas. Right now, Callaway's newest station - call letters KAWA at 102.7 on the dial - is on paper only. But Morrow said he is confident he can raise the funds - about the price of a new car - to start the 100-watt station. The Callaway station is one of 16 groups that have applied for low-power FM licenses in Nebraska. None has gone on the air yet, and only four - in Callaway, Hastings, Aurora and Schuyler - have been awarded construction permits. In Iowa, there were more than 200 applicants, with 31 construction permits issued so far. Half those issued (and about half of the applications) were to the Iowa Transportation Department, which is hoping to get state funding and establish a statewide chain of micro radio stations to issue weather updates and travel conditions. Transportation Department stations would be built in Neola, Avoca and Adair, for example. The Faith Association of Denison is among the applicants for a construction permit. Once a station gets a construction permit, it has 18 months to get on the air. Some are scrambling. For instance, a construction permit was issued to the "St. Michael Educational Radio Association" in Hastings, but the families who applied moved away. A spokeswoman for the Starboard Radio network in Green Bay, Wis., said she is trying to find new local operators - and local financial support - for the Catholic station. Such "repeater" stations are among those being created through the issuance of the low-power FM licenses, said Larry Walkin, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln broadcasting professor. But many also are being awarded to entrepreneurs such as Morrow and his group, whose goal is to provide unique local programming. By FCC rules, they must be supported by listener donations and sponsorships, not ads. In Callaway, KAWA's programming with be mainly contemporary Christian music. But Morrow said he wants to offer other types of music not being heard locally, such as big band and jazz, and possibly to broadcast local high-school ballgames. "We want to hit on something that appeals to as many people as possible without being too alternative," he said. Morrow, a native of Flagstaff, Ariz., moved to Callaway eight years ago with his wife because it is such a great place to raise kids. He works with his brother-in-law in a contract hog operation. He had worked at radio stations in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado before earning a master's degree at Central Michigan University. Now, he's looking to rent a building in Callaway to house the new station. He hopes to use - and train - local talent and hopes he can find enough financial supporters in the community of 637. LOAD-DATE: May 27, 2003 |
