WMWM winter break; automation

[raccoonradio]

Word has it that WMWM will be off air from Dec 22 till Jan 2 (mostly due to
college "shutting down" for break). However computers and software will be installed and it's quite possible automation will start up...so the station
may be back on before Jan 2 (when DJs return) via the automation

 

[odomski]

Why do high school and/or college stations just go off the air during "breaks" (i.e. Winter break, the summer, etc)? I understand they use students for their staff, but why don't stations like WMWM or the Providence College station (for example) just install automation for use during holiday breaks? Is it simply too expensive for the schools to do this? I would think it's better to have some kind of programming on the air instead of just a dead carrier or shutting the transmitter down.

 

[raccoonradio]

> Why do high school and/or college stations just go off the
> air during "breaks" (i.e. Winter break, the summer, etc)?

WMWM sometimes has to go off because the college tells us to (saving
money by not heating the building; not much of a security staff around
during the break, etc.). Maybe many students are off doing other things, too.

One summer the college told us to go off totally. Another, we could go on--
but only during building hours. That meant 7 am -5 pm, weekdays only.

We _are_ finally doing automation (WMWM) now; took awhile for computers
to show up...when we got them we found there was outdated software, etc.
But over the break it's said they'll be installed and put up and running.
(Provided the college lets in the exec staff one day to do it, etc.)
Have been at WMWM (almost 25 yrs) and know from past experience that it can take us awhile
to get equipment; get it fixed, etc. Not really a high budget...sometimes
there are benefit concerts, etc., but that can only do so much.

 

[dantebishop]

> We _are_ finally doing automation (WMWM) now; took awhile
> for computers
> to show up...when we got them we found there was outdated
> software, etc.
> But over the break it's said they'll be installed and put up
> and running.
> (Provided the college lets in the exec staff one day to do
> it, etc.)
> Have been at WMWM (almost 25 yrs) and know from past
> experience that it can take us awhile
> to get equipment; get it fixed, etc. Not really a high
> budget...sometimes
> there are benefit concerts, etc., but that can only do so
> much.
>

Hey Bob - I'll ask the obligatory questions....someone DID remember to install transmitter monitoring and remote-control equipment, right? And make sure the weekly Station Log review by the Chief Operator is done? Legal ID's? Staffing of the main studio during business hours? Stuff like that?

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/noonehome.html

I ask because I can't tell you the number of times I've had students suggest that they just put a computer running iTunes on random to stay "on the air" over break...forgetting that it's illegal to do that. Unless you take care of a variety of other factors mentioned in the above URL. Given that all stations in Massachusetts are in the process of renewing their licenses as we speak, it's not something to fool around too much on.

To answer the question why stations don't do it...it's mostly because there's a knee-jerk reaction to the "evils of automation". I've had students tell me they are 100% convinced that listeners want to hear dead air before they want to hear automation. Conveniently forgetting that most automation, when done properly, sounds better than several (not all, but several) live student DJ's. Fortunately, this attitude has been slowly fading as more and more students come into college having already done their own podcasts in high school and whatnot. I know several DJ's that prep their entire show, voicetracking and all, beforehand...load it onto their iPod...come into the station and play it from the iPod while they help organize the music library and/or other little volunteer tasks.

Part of the "why not" also does stem from how difficult it can be to do unattended operation legally. Many balk at the cost of a remote control system (until recently they were in the $2000-$5000 range plus a day's worth of engineering labor costs). The main studio staffing requirement is particularly onerous to college radio; one management and one subordinate must be in the main studio during business hours every weekday (save for holidays) unless the station is off the air for break. Business hours are defined as an eight-hour period between 8am and 6pm. Most stations don't do that even during normal operation...never mind over breaks.

And of course, don't forget 73.561 which says that if you're a NCE station and you don't stay on the air 12 hours a day, EVERY day (including over breaks) you are vulnerable to a share-time challenge at your license renewal. There was a big brouhaha about this not long ago: http://www.collegebroadcasters.org/12hourupdate.shtml

All doom-and-gloom aside, kudos to WMWM for staying on the air! It does warm the heart...especially considering how WMWM's signal has been smacked around a bit by WUMB and WNEF. Can you elaborate at all on the system they're using? I'm sure some of the other college stations around here might be curious.

- Aaron Read
- Fried Bagels Technical Consulting
- www.friedbagels.com

 

[raccoonradio]

The exec staff and Brian Vita are putting it in, so you could address your
questions to them (email address is on WMWM site, wmwmsalem.com). I have
no idea what automation system is being used. I did stop by the station today and saw we have one computer tied into the Net (we can surf for weather,
concert reports, sports scores, maybe even take requests by email--yes!
Welcome to 1995!) And another computer which will be put into effect soon
for automation, IDs, etc.

You won't get an argument out of me that "dead air is better than automation".
The chalkboard we have with our schedule (next to air studio) looks pretty
full (7 am to midnight) right now but there may be one or two open slots,
as well as midnight to 7 pm...Supposedly the automation will be installed
over the break and it will comply with regulations about insertion of IDs,
etc. Monitoring, all that.

Brian does a good part of his Mood Swings shows from his laptop, I believe;
the Uncle Henry's Basement guys (doo wop on Sat nights may do the same)
and I believe a laptop is also used for our Wed. afternoon sports talk
show (at least I heard some sound clips inserted, etc.) We have a plug
for laptop/Ipod/mini disc, etc.


> All doom-and-gloom aside, kudos to WMWM for staying on the
> air! It does warm the heart...especially considering how
> WMWM's signal has been smacked around a bit by WUMB and
> WNEF. Can you elaborate at all on the system they're
> using? I'm sure some of the other college stations around
> here might be curious.

Again, I'm a part-part-part-timer at this moment, only on once every few
months, but I have gotten some emails letting me know some of the improvements. That being said, I'd suggest you contact exec staff or Brian V. for details.
My next show is due to be Jan 29 (the "fifth week of a 5 Sunday month"--
Juke Joint, Sun 12-3 pm). And then there will be a show on March 12,
in which I will celebrate (to the _very day_) my 25th Anniversary
at WMWM.<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[raccoonradio]

smooth jazz, etc. 91.7...automated

WMWM is testing out the automation including putting some smooth jazz on
overnights. On right now.