For fans of low-power community radio, expect big things in the near future.

A recent training session at WSCA 106.1 FM in Portsmouth drew more than 20 DJ hopefuls, each representing unique talents, experiences and musical interests.

With ideas ranging from bluegrass to a "conservative talk show run by liberals," the trainees all appeared eager to have a shot at running their own radio program.

Jason Brown, a DJ with the station since it first began broadcasting in 2004, says that this year's training group represents a chance for new, unique programs.

"We have people from all ages, and all interests. There are all kind of opportunities," Brown said. "We love bringing different people in and gaining a sense of community."

Brown is no stranger to the dedication needed to operate an all-volunteer radio program. As a student at the University of New Hampshire, Brown volunteered at WUNH, the university's low-power station. For six months, Brown held a nightly show from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

"That might have caused me to skip some classes," Brown said.

The experienced DJ offers additional advice to new members.

"None of us here are pros by any stretch," Brown said. "We don't expect you to become Casey Kasem right off the bat. Each programmer and DJ has their own style and nuances."

Bjorn Turnquist, general manager of Portsmouth Community Radio, says that he is impressed with how many people attended the training session.

"It's unbelievable that we have this turnout," Turnquist said. "It's helping us really get on the map."

Portsmouth Community Radio began broadcasting on Sept. 12, 2004, completely through an all-volunteer effort. Today, with the aid of a 25-foot radio transmitter on the top of The Music Hall, the station reaches a wide listening audience in the Seacoast area. The station is also streamed live on the station's Web site.

Gary Lowe, who hosts an "Exploring Jazz" show on Friday nights, says that broadcasting through the Web site has helped them reach people in far-away places.

"I just got a CD from a woman who lives in Italy," Lowe said. "She listens to the program completely through the Internet."

Each trainee will go through an extensive training process, which involves an overview of FCC rules and regulations, a one-on-one eight-week apprenticeship with a DJ, and a familiarization of station procedures.

The training sessions, which are broken up into three modules, take place two times a year.

One trainee, Jay "Riddles" Riddlesburger, moved to the Portsmouth last week from San Francisco. With his program, he hopes to bring underground hip-hop and electronic dance music to the Seacoast music scene.

"I went to a lot of clubs and underground parties in San Francisco," Riddlesburger said. "I had some radio experience in college, and I'm excited to be here. It's a great opportunity."

Reflecting the station's all-volunteer spirit, each regularly scheduled DJ is required to perform two hours of volunteer time either in the community or around the station. Members also pay a yearly due, which goes toward station improvements and running costs.

Using these funds, and additional money gained from pledge drives, the station recently purchased a variety of new equipment, and is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new high-tech broadcasting booth.

"The technology has gone up several orders of magnitude with this," Lowe said. "This was all made possible through community support. Our fidelity will be improved even more than we expected, and we are so satisfied with the end result."

The majority of the station's music comes from the existing library of MP3s, CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records. Independent record labels will often send the station their latest releases.

"It's great when you go to the mailbox and you find three new CDs waiting for you," Lowe said. "It's like Christmas."

Portsmouth High School seniors Finn Allen and Grant Wilson have also set their sights on a brand-new radio program, which they plan to call "Tyrannosaurus Rock." Catering to fans of '60s and '70s rock 'n' roll, the two are looking forward to being on the radio.

"We made this for anyone who wants to tune in and listen," Allen said.

Tony "Big Daddy Black" Maddox, a Portsmouth resident originally from Detroit, is enthusiastic about creating a show that will bring together a variety of musical styles and genres.

"Music doesn't have a color, it has a feeling," Maddox said. "Music should take you places mentally that you haven't been to."

Maddox plans to use his show to promote underrepresented hip-hop and R&B artists who wouldn't have a chance to play otherwise.

"Everyone listening to mainstream music gets it shoved down their throat," Maddox said. "This will be a good chance to tune in and hear great music."

For fans of low-power community radio, expect big things in the near future.

A recent training session at WSCA 106.1 FM in Portsmouth drew more than 20 DJ hopefuls, each representing unique talents, experiences and musical interests.

With ideas ranging from bluegrass to a "conservative talk show run by liberals," the trainees all appeared eager to have a shot at running their own radio program.

Jason Brown, a DJ with the station since it first began broadcasting in 2004, says that this year's training group represents a chance for new, unique programs.

"We have people from all ages, and all interests. There are all kind of opportunities," Brown said. "We love bringing different people in and gaining a sense of community."

Brown is no stranger to the dedication needed to operate an all-volunteer radio program. As a student at the University of New Hampshire, Brown volunteered at WUNH, the university's low-power station. For six months, Brown held a nightly show from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

"That might have caused me to skip some classes," Brown said.

The experienced DJ offers additional advice to new members.

"None of us here are pros by any stretch," Brown said. "We don't expect you to become Casey Kasem right off the bat. Each programmer and DJ has their own style and nuances."

Bjorn Turnquist, general manager of Portsmouth Community Radio, says that he is impressed with how many people attended the training session.

"It's unbelievable that we have this turnout," Turnquist said. "It's helping us really get on the map."

Portsmouth Community Radio began broadcasting on Sept. 12, 2004, completely through an all-volunteer effort. Today, with the aid of a 25-foot radio transmitter on the top of The Music Hall, the station reaches a wide listening audience in the Seacoast area. The station is also streamed live on the station's Web site.

Gary Lowe, who hosts an "Exploring Jazz" show on Friday nights, says that broadcasting through the Web site has helped them reach people in far-away places.

"I just got a CD from a woman who lives in Italy," Lowe said. "She listens to the program completely through the Internet."

Each trainee will go through an extensive training process, which involves an overview of FCC rules and regulations, a one-on-one eight-week apprenticeship with a DJ, and a familiarization of station procedures.

The training sessions, which are broken up into three modules, take place two times a year.

One trainee, Jay "Riddles" Riddlesburger, moved to the Portsmouth last week from San Francisco. With his program, he hopes to bring underground hip-hop and electronic dance music to the Seacoast music scene.

"I went to a lot of clubs and underground parties in San Francisco," Riddlesburger said. "I had some radio experience in college, and I'm excited to be here. It's a great opportunity."

Reflecting the station's all-volunteer spirit, each regularly scheduled DJ is required to perform two hours of volunteer time either in the community or around the station. Members also pay a yearly due, which goes toward station improvements and running costs.

Using these funds, and additional money gained from pledge drives, the station recently purchased a variety of new equipment, and is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new high-tech broadcasting booth.

"The technology has gone up several orders of magnitude with this," Lowe said. "This was all made possible through community support. Our fidelity will be improved even more than we expected, and we are so satisfied with the end result."

The majority of the station's music comes from the existing library of MP3s, CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records. Independent record labels will often send the station their latest releases.

"It's great when you go to the mailbox and you find three new CDs waiting for you," Lowe said. "It's like Christmas."

Portsmouth High School seniors Finn Allen and Grant Wilson have also set their sights on a brand-new radio program, which they plan to call "Tyrannosaurus Rock." Catering to fans of '60s and '70s rock 'n' roll, the two are looking forward to being on the radio.

"We made this for anyone who wants to tune in and listen," Allen said.

Tony "Big Daddy Black" Maddox, a Portsmouth resident originally from Detroit, is enthusiastic about creating a show that will bring together a variety of musical styles and genres.

"Music doesn't have a color, it has a feeling," Maddox said. "Music should take you places mentally that you haven't been to."

Maddox plans to use his show to promote underrepresented hip-hop and R&B artists who wouldn't have a chance to play otherwise.

"Everyone listening to mainstream music gets it shoved down their throat," Maddox said. "This will be a good chance to tune in and hear great music."