College Radio Day...and High School too...

[Juan Bodley]

Today is College Radio Day, a day for college (and high school) stations to get together to say "hey we're here."
As a former WJHS alum I am HAPPY to see WJHS in Columbia City, and in addition Jefferson High School Jeff92 participating.
Last year there were questions whether or not WJHS would even be on today...and HERE IT IS!!!! A flea to the big sticks of Fort Wayne but out there just the same...Laurie Walls, according to the station website, is the interim station manager, and has been there many years now. My hat is off to you Laurie. Good job. And the students of BOTH STATIONS...and what the hell, the college stations too. The last time you'll have ANY freedom on the air, more or less...

 

[cheers2you]

The last time you'll have ANY freedom on the air, more or less...

How true! However I would like to pose a question on this subject. Do you think that if there were more structure and instruction in today's high school radio programs that radio could potentially be in a better place (i.e. better talent, more passion for the medium, informed sellers)? I know I've heard a few news reports on local high school stations lately that were absolutely horrible. I've also experienced/heard about the lack of education on basic radio items like how to correctly produce a spot, how to read and incorporate ratings, successful promotions, etc. While I know most programs don't really have promotions and/or sales departments, chances are most of the young people in these programs will end up in one of these two areas if they get into the business. Shouldn't they be taught how to do it correctly? It could mean the difference between where we are today (i.e. an unhappy, unsatisfied, group of people working for corporations) to a new and better future where there may actually be some worthwhile talen in all aspects of the business.

 

[Juan Bodley]

Being out of radio for long enough I listen to the 3 stations around me (WJHS, 91.1 from Homestead HS Fort Wayne, and 91.9 WVSH from Huntington,) and I have to think they're getting SOME attention in these areas, at least WJHS kids. 91.1 The Point has some kids on the mic I wonder HOW they got on, and should they be learning "behind the scenes" skills more. Huntington I don't hear as much and I think they may be more automated.

I forgot about WIOE in Warsaw but they're more Flyin' Brian Walsh's project than maybe a school run system, and I don't get to hear them as much to be able to say "they rock" or "they suck." Sorry to say but I don't pick them up at home.

 

[ChiefEngineer]

School stations repeat the phrase: "School kids could care less about radio but they love the Internet." They can't get kids to show up to be on the air or volunteer in classes. College and High School.
The process didn't change, the interest did. The same applies to school corporations who could care less they have a station.
Muncie left theirs on for two years with a dead carrier and a hum. When the FCC inquired as a local listener had been calling, they just turned the License in. Hartford City turned theirs off for over 5 years. Last license renewal there was an application that indicated the previous 7 years were not accounted for. They turned their license in rather than allow another group to help operate it.
The post modern generation (x,y,whatever) can't see a reason for service as a growing trend. They see no relevance. It's up to us to change it and can we tell them radio is something even close to what it used to be?

 

[Juan Bodley]

I can say for the CC station there are a few that DO want to be on mic, that pursue the cause, that make an effort to have a show more than just a 50 minute class segment in the studio. The students that make the effort have rewarded themselves with a following (WJHS is on the internet,) and their music playlist is very hip to both adults and the youth of the skool.

I say let the kids run loose as long as it's supported. It's a bitch I know but our next board ops and remote techs (what few we need) have to come from somewhere huh???

 

[mouseman]

My first radio experience decades ago was on a college carrier current only station in the dorm where I lived. Not many in that dorm listened, but it wasn't the point. The point was the practical experience you gained on the equipment, and operating as much like a "real station" as possible.
Today, my kids can simply "broadcast" whatever they want, on the Internet. Look through UTube for five minutes. look at the success of ICarly, representing on Nick TV what many kids already know - the world is wide open to their opinions, music preferences, etc. Today's media access to one and all could actually be considered a de-motivator for many to pursue a professional career - you got something to say, go on the Internet and do it right now. You don't have to be a "pro" to do it.

 

[Keith Kidd]

I was in a joke of a radio program in the late 70’s and early 80’s. 91.3 WWHI. Ball State took the Freq. over and it’s now WCRD.

The *teacher* was Jim Bailey. Picture a 5 foot Colonel Sanders and you have Bailey. The first time I laid eyes on him I thought wow, what’s the slogan of this station, ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’? He had no previous radio experience that I know about and taught the students absolutely nothing about radio or how to run the equipment for that matter. I don’t even think he knew. I did, but not because I was smarter than anyone else, but because I had a HUGE passion for the medium. I hung around and figured it out on my own. As far as Bailey goes, most of the time he wasn’t even in the classroom. When he was there, he was intolerable to talk to.

An Engineer at WLBC by the last name of Dixon was supposed to oversee the stations equipment, but he pretty much did nothing. The console as a whole was in OK shape, but needed torn apart and cleaned. The pots and switches were very dirty. The transmitter was in bad shape. I remember going off the air several times and having to go to the transmitter room and remove a tube and put it back in again to get back on. The MIC was dated and in very bad condition. It picked up so much noise that it came in level with the broadcaster at times. There were two very old turntables with heavy arms. With kids, needles didn’t last on those things. This station was a disaster to listen too.

The funny part was the news. In the booth we were supposed to go through this box full of news feed donated by WLBC. The problem was the news was outdated, sometimes going back a few years. We were supposed to read this on the air like it just happened. The whole program was a joke. I did learn a lot in the class though. I taught myself quite a bit.

Most of the problem with this program wasn’t altogether funding. It was a lack of interest and laziness. The teacher had a choice, do little and get paid or do a lot and get paid that same amount. He chose to do little.