• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

A worthy cause

K

KeyTimes950

http://www.tubecityonline.com/almanac/index.html

Jason Togyer conducts the Tube City Almanac blog which covers news and views in and around McKeesport. It really is more of a complement than a competitor for The Daily News but it can and does scoop the News on occasion.

Jason's media empire of sorts also includes his work at Carnegie Mellon University and a continued effort to secure a low-power FM radio station to serve the McKeesport area. His group sought FM 89.9 for White Oak but ran into the second-adjacent channel rule and was rejected by the FCC.

Tied in to that has been an effort for the past couple of years to broadcast the city's International Village, an annual ethnic extravaganza held each August in Renziehausen Park.

He does so online but also on low-power Part 15 stations on AM and FM which, frankly, barely get beyond the park. Still, it's the only effort to broadcast the Village since WEDO-810 gave up doing so and AM 1360 moved off to points unknown (OK, west of Pittsburgh and I know it's WMNY).

He could use some help. The link is to his blog. Scroll down past the item on the demolition of a downtown McKeesport church and see for yourself. On Facebook he said state Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-White Oak, pledged $250 but wanted matching contributions (which would bring Togyer the $500 needed to broadcast eight hours a day, three days a week).
 
This update ran in today's McKeesport Daily News (online by subscription only) ...

• LightningFM.org again will air International Village online and on low-power stations at Renziehausen Park, but its organizer said there is a need to raise $500 in donations to cover the cost of the broadcast.
Lightning’s Jason Togyer said $380 was raised toward that goal so far, largely to match a $250 challenge by state Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-White Oak.
White Oak Florist also is a sponsor. Details are online at tubecityonline.com.
 
While a lot of you read this (and it's a good thing), this probably is my last post on the subject. Tube City said it also will do the village on low power FM 92.3, for you DX fans, during its three-day stay in mid-August. (That's VERY low power, a Part 14 operation.) It now has four sponsors, Rep. Gergely, Chatham University, McKeesport Housing Corp. and White Oak Floral.
 
OK, one more update. Tube City has been testing the feed. I understand, appropriately enough, that Hungarian folk music is involved (but I've had trouble accessing it). Website is in an earlier item on this topic.

But I wonder: Will FM 92.3 get much DX play, if any, during the village's three-day stay next week? (Aug. 16-17-18.) I assure you, it may be more interesting programming that a lot of what's out there (and there will be moments in English to boot).
 
KT9, thank you for the unsolicited plugs. They're most appreciated! I wish I could say your check's in the mail, but I don't have your address (or any checks). ;D

I should mention the FM broadcast next week is actually what's called Part 15, which covers what's considered "incidental radiation" --- talking houses, drive-in movie transmitters and stuff like that. We've got to stay within the boundaries of Renzie Park. (It's essentially a glorified "Mr. Microphone.")

In fact, Glenn Tryon even cut a legal ID for me: Part 15 in McKeesport (WAV file)

The FM broadcast is symbolic more than anything else. (Field strength is limited to 0.01 microwatts!) If the FCC opens an LPFM filing window next year, and if there are any frequencies open, we intend to apply. But for right now, our efforts are directed at trying to keep the website sustainable.

The stream is running a loop of foreign-language music, a few spots, and some old WMCK jingles right now. The direct link (for iTunes, Winamp, QuickTime, etc.) is at 130.49.222.254:8000/listen.pls, or you can go to www.tubecityonline.com/webcast.html.
 
I heartily endorse Jason's broadcasts from International Village, which are doing what local radio should be
doing (and isn't).

C.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom