Low Power FM For Dummies

Beginner-friendly advice on how to start and run a local FM station

There are approximately 2000 low power FM radio stations in the United States. That number will grow as more licenses are issued in the coming years. Low Power FM For Dummies walks you through the key steps you need to take to establish, manage, and help run one of these hyper-local broadcast operations. You’ll get easy-to-follow help on everything from making all your gear work to financing your operation, managing your staff, and complying with rules and regulations.

Not sure where to begin? No worries! This book explains the process of getting a broadcast license and collecting all the necessary tools. It also provides insight on starting with a station that streams online only. Already got started? That’s great too! You’ll learn to refine your approach to low-power FM station management with the useful tips found within. Low Power FM For Dummies will also help you:

• Serve your community at a hyper-local level with programming aimed directly at the people in your area
• Manage the people, technology, processes, and systems that underlie a well-run low-power FM station
• Guide the operations of a new or established station as a volunteer, board member, or creator

Low-power radio stations need well-informed and effective operators, technicians, board members, and volunteers to fulfil their potential. Low Power FM For Dummies can help you fill any of those roles, and more, in no time at all.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Lighting the Fuse: Getting High Impact from Low Power 5

Chapter 1: Getting High Impact from Low Power 7

Chapter 2: Finding or Founding Your Nonprofit 19

Chapter 3: Getting Permission to Broadcast 39

Part 2: Countdown to Blastoff: Launching Your Broadcast 59

Chapter 4: Firing Up Your Frequency 61

Chapter 5: Weaving Your Webcast 75

Part 3: Staying in Orbit: Building a Station That Endures 89

Chapter 6: Where the Magic Happens: Building a Studio with a Spark! 91

Chapter 7: Cranking It Up: Developing Your Music Collection 111

Chapter 8: Going for the Gold: Developing Station Income 127

Chapter 9: Holding the Line: Managing Station Expenses 141

Part 4: Star Systems: (Low) Power to the People! 157

Chapter 10: Keeping It Legit: Broadcasting Rules and Responsibilities 159

Chapter 11: It’s Showtime! Developing Programming and Taking It Live 175

Chapter 12: Forming the Band: Building Your Crew 197

Part 5: Riding the Waves: Ups and Downs in Community Broadcasting 209

Chapter 13: Understanding Murphy’s Law of Radio 211

Chapter 14: Cultivating Community Connections 225

Chapter 15: Connecting with Listeners Locally and Worldwide 241

Part 6: The Part of Tens 255

Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Fill Dead Air (and Come Alive!) 257

Chapter 17: Ten Epic Radio Broadcasts 265

Chapter 18: Ten Inspiring Insights from Low Power FM Station Founders 275

Appendix A: Directory of Low Power FM Radio Stations 285

Appendix B: Glossary 293

Index 299

Sharon M. Scott is the Co-Founder and General Manager of ART FM / WXOX 97.1 FM Louisville, a noncommercial radio station committed to providing access to the airwaves for creative and experimental use. Scott’s radio-advocacy has been covered by sources such as The New York Times, The Hill, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Claim the airwaves with your own radio station

It’s time to ditch commercial radio and embrace the hyper-local Low Power FM radio movement. This book is a one-of-a-kind guide to launching, running, and overseeing a community-oriented station. You’ll learn how to create a nonprofit organization, get a broadcast license, and secure your slice of the FM dial. Once you’re on the air, learn to integrate with apps, manage your team of volunteers, and get the word out to over-the-air listeners in your town or online listeners beyond your signal’s reach.

Inside…

• Developing your station idea
• Applying for, winning, and setting up your frequency
• Selecting equipment and building your on-air studio
• Generating income & budgeting
• Managing your station’s staff
• Producing live radio