Details

Subject(s)

• FM broadcasting [Browse]
• Low power radio [Browse]
• Radio stations—Management [Browse]

Series

• --For dummies. [More in this series]
• For dummies

Summary note

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 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.

Notes

Includes index.

Source of description

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Contents

• Intro
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• About This Book
• Foolish Assumptions
• Icons Used in This Book
• Beyond the Book
• Where to Go from Here
• Part 1 Lighting the Fuse: Getting High Impact from Low Power
• Chapter 1 Getting High Impact from Low Power
• Getting to Know Low Power FM Radio
• Understanding the American radio landscape
• Sailing on the open seas
• Switching on the LPFM light
• Introducing the Local Community Radio Act
• Envisioning Your Radio Station
• Why radio?
• Why now?
• Why you?
• Creating Your FM Dreamscape
• Chapter 2 Finding or Founding Your Nonprofit
• Preparing for the LPFM Application Window
• Meeting LCRA expectations
• Keeping it local
• Upholding board expectations
• Scoring Priority Points
• Uniting for Good: Partnering with an Existing Nonprofit
• Starting from Scratch: Forming a New Nonprofit
• Appointing your board of directors
• Hosting the initial board meeting
• Selecting board leadership
• Naming your organization
• Defining your Mission
• Focusing your vision
• Incorporating your nonprofit
• Drafting your by-laws
• Applying for your Employer Identification Number
• Establishing and maintaining 501(c)3 status
• Getting a state sales tax exemption
• Filing 990s
• Obtaining nonprofit postage
• Protecting yourself and your assets
• Making connections and receiving funds
• Making Your Mark: Branding Your Organization
• Developing a logo
• Building a website
• Establishing a presence on social media
• Building community connections
• Chapter 3 Getting Permission to Broadcast
• Finding Your Frequency
• Locating quiet spots on the dial
• Securing an engineering study
• Hunting for Your Tower
• Taking the first steps
• Negotiating with a landlord
• Applying for an FM Frequency
• Registering with the FCC.
• Collecting the necessary materials
• Educational statement
• Letter of reasonable assurance
• Submitting your application
• Winning Your FM Frequency
• Navigating MX Situations
• Winning your frequency
• Joining a timeshare
• Alternative Methods for Getting on the FM Dial
• Working with licensees in your community
• Using Part 15 broadcasting
• Part 2 Countdown to Blastoff: Launching Your Broadcast
• Chapter 4 Firing Up Your Frequency
• Permission Granted: Getting Started
• Keeping your FCC information safe
• Claiming your call sign
• Setting Up Your Signal
• Sourcing equipment housing
• Piecing everything together
• Choosing Between On-Site and Remote-Site Transmission
• Understanding Your FM Transmitter
• Installing Your Antenna
• Installing the Emergency Alert System
• Lighting It Up!
• Keeping up with the FCC
• Renewing your license
• Keeping the light on
• Partying at Your Official FM Launch
• Chapter 5 Weaving Your Webcast
• Launching Your Station on the Infinite Dial
• Connecting with a stream host
• Getting a direct URL
• Embedding player buttons on your website
• Utilizing pop-up players
• Adding the audio element
• Registering with Online Radio Directories
• Developing Apps for Listeners on The Go
• Teaching Skills to Smart Speakers: "Alexa, Play WXOX"
• Part 3 Staying in Orbit: Building a Station That Endures
• Chapter 6 Where the Magic Happens: Building a Studio with a Spark!
• Finding a Studio Location
• Considering Interior Spaces
• Soundproofing
• Sound dampening
• Installing Studio Furniture
• Selecting Studio Equipment
• Audio console
• Microphones
• Mic booms
• On-air light
• Headphones
• Headphone amp
• Studio monitors
• Turntables
• CD players
• Cassette players
• Computers
• Webcaster
• Archiver
• Player
• Computer cables
• Accessories and adapters.
• Providing Community Access and Security
• Chapter 7 Cranking It Up: Developing Your Music Collection
• Building a Physical Library
• Thinking about shelving (and space)
• Choosing an organizational method
• Collecting your materials and getting to work
• Venturing into vinyl
• Learning CD selectivity
• Tangling with tapes
• Programming albums
• Marking materials for safekeeping
• Developing a Digital Library
• Seeking digital selections
• Managing digital files
• Using software to keep the music going
• Archiving Original In-House Productions
• Chapter 8 Going for the Gold: Developing Station Income
• Making Friends and Creating Opportunities
• Organizing a Capital Campaign
• Building Station Membership
• Developing Partnerships and Sponsorships
• Working with Underwriters
• Finding Government Money
• Considering Incentive Programs
• Driving Vehicle Donations
• Maximizing Merch Sales
• Hosting Fundraising Events
• Chapter 9 Holding the Line: Managing Station Expenses
• Maintaining Your Home-Base
• Factoring in The Price of Technology
• Internet service
• Webhosting
• Remote access
• Video conferencing
• Licensing Music
• FM transmission
• Digital transmission
• Hiring Personnel and Growing a Happy Team
• Showing staff and donor appreciation
• Funding continuing education
• Joining Professional Organizations
• Budgeting for Communications
• Keeping Financial Records
• Bookkeeping
• Filing annual taxes
• Maintaining transparency
• Remembering Everything Else, Too
• Saving up for sundries
• Buying merch
• Launching events
• Saving for station updates
• Part 4 Star Systems: (Low) Power to the People!
• Chapter 10 Keeping It Legit: Broadcasting Rules and Responsibilities
• Seeking Help and Getting Legal Advice
• Understanding FCC Laws
• Delving into The Public and Broadcasting.
• Remembering First Amendment rights
• Abiding by FCC Laws
• Abiding by basic laws and policies
• Avoiding hoaxes and distorted reporting
• Balancing political broadcasts
• Watching out for objectionable programming
• Inciting lawless action
• Obscene, indecent, and profane programming
• Following other content regulations
• Official station identification
• Station-conducted contests
• Broadcast of telephone conversations
• Equal opportunities
• Sponsorship identification
• Staying noncommercial
• Fundraising in the right way
• Announcing program-related materials
• Steering clear of payola
• Moving Beyond the FCC: Other Legal Considerations
• Avoiding defamation of character
• Understanding music licensing
• Blanket licenses
• Direct licenses
• Music licensing for archived shows
• Using other audio sources
• Deciding on your house rules
• Chapter 11 It's Showtime! Developing Programming and Taking It Live
• Moving from Dreams to the FM Dial
• Music programs
• Spoken word programs
• Experimental radio programs
• Setting the Scene
• Deciding on program titles and DJ names
• Making musical selections
• Considering guests for your show
• Promoting your radio program
• Preparing Your Shows
• Checking equipment
• Cueing music
• Going Live!
• Being "in the now"
• Setting the scene
• Handling surprise situations
• Keeping Time with the Programming Elements
• Announcing legal identifiers
• Reading the news
• Breaking events
• Public affairs
• Equal airtime
• Making public service announcements
• Reading out promos
• Detailing an events calendar
• Hosting On-Air Guests
• Minding Studio Etiquette
• Chapter 12 Forming the Band: Building Your Crew
• Developing the Station CORE
• Recruiting and Training Your On-Air Team
• Thinking about the schedule
• Handling applications
• Vetting new recruits.
• Overseeing orientation
• Putting your recruits through basic training
• Rules and regulations training
• Equipment training
• Shadowing
• Reverse shadowing
• Subbing
• Taking flight
• Addressing Staff Responsibilities
• Covering scheduled shifts
• Holidays
• Inclement weather
• Sickness and other emergencies
• Attending staff meetings
• Representing the station on social media
• Cultivating a respectful workplace
• Suspension of shows
• Part 5 Riding the Waves: Ups and Downs in Community Broadcasting
• Chapter 13 Understanding Murphy's Law of Radio
• Being Prepared When the Broadcast Goes Silent
• User error
• Utility failure
• Radio silence
• Streaming silence
• Dealing with Static and Other Interference
• FM interference
• Stream glitching
• Disappearing (or Delayed) Talent
• Failing Equipment
• Spilling onto the Soundboard
• Breaking the Rules
• Staying Tough and Carrying On
• Chapter 14 Cultivating Community Connections
• Bringing the Community to the Station
• Hosting open studio events
• Interviewing great guests
• Getting past the gates
• Securing a release form
• Conducting the interview
• Reporting on community trauma
• Bringing power to the people!
• Working with youth groups
• Telling veterans' stories
• Organizing DJ training programs
• Offering internships
• Riding the Next Wave: Teen Radio Academy
• Bringing the Station to the Community
• Taking part in parades and festivals
• Hosting station spectacles
• Covering local events
• Vox pops
• Community happenings
• Rallies and demonstrations
• Reporting on Emergencies
• Chapter 15 Connecting with Listeners Locally and Worldwide
• Promoting Your Station Internationally
• Getting your swag on
• Sewing up the socials
• Getting published
• Connecting at conferences
• Syndicating Programs Worldwide
• Pacifica Affiliate Network
• Public Radio eXchange.

Show 297 more Contents items

ISBN

1-394-18533-2

OCLC

1405849376

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