How Do I Start an FM Radio Station?
Posted: 10/08/2014
Are you passionate about radio and dream of one day running your own station? Well, your dream is not a distant reality. There are a lot of resources available to help you get started, and the equipment required is more accessible than ever! Here are some important considerations to explore in the early stages of getting your station up and running.
Location, Location, LocationTwo of the major decisions to make early on are the location of your studio and whether or not your transmitter will be located on-site or remotely. Transmitters should be placed in an area that will minimize interference and maximize the potential range of your frequency. Your studio should be located in a convenient location that is accessible to any potential guests.
What Type of License Do I Need?In order to legally broadcast on FM frequency bands you have to obtain a license from the FCC. There are two types FM radio licenses:
If you’re serious about starting a radio station, but are unsure of which license is appropriate, you will probably want to start with a Low Power FM (LPFM) station and move on to full power FM station later.
Educate YourselfThere are a lot of questions that are likely to come up as you pursue your dream of running a radio station. By considering these questions now, you can be better prepared for what’s ahead. Here are a few things to think about:
EquipmentOne of the most important aspects of having a functional, high-quality radio station is having the proper equipment. Radio stations require a large variety of equipment, including microphones, transmitters, audio mixers, and headphones -- to name a few.
Your best bet is to contact a professional radio broadcast equipment seller who can assist you in determining what equipment will best suit your needs. Progressive Concepts is highly knowledgeable about their products and provides affordable radio broadcast equipment with 30-day no fault guarantees. They are also available to assist you in obtaining an FCC license, help building out your station, and provide you with expert technical assistance.
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Posted: 08/17/2017
If you own a BW Broadcast original TX series FM Transmitter or V2 FM transmitter and need to have it repaired, Progressive Concepts can repair it for you.
Simply call Progressive Concepts to obtain an RMA number. It's that easy!
Once we...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
We are often asked "How far will my 100 watt transmitter go?".
This question does not have a simple answer. WHY? Because there are so many factors that will determine how far your transmitter will go that there is no single answer to...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
Many customers are afraid to buy an FM antenna that has a negative gain. They seem to feel that they are losing power. Nothing could be further from the truth!
In this article, I will use our PCP1 circularly polarized FM antenna as an...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
Overtime, pressure grew for a solution to allow community organizations the power to broadcast their message locally over the radio. As a result, the FCC began granting licenses to non-profit organizations that allows them the right to broadcast FM...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
Periodically, the FCC opens the door for new applicants to take a shot at getting a license to run their own station. These applications are only available for non-profit and community organizations. For more detailed information on when and how you...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
FCC licenses for LPFM stations are only granted for “non-commercial-educational” use. This means that although you can’t sell advertising airtime directly, you can accept contributions from businesses and incorporate their name...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
If you’ve already reviewed the application process, your next step would be fundraising. Fundraising is a great way to gauge community interest and spread the word about the future of your station. Not to mention, it’s essential for...
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Posted: 06/06/2017
The leading one-stop resource for obtaining equipment, as well as assistance with setting up a professional broadcasting studio, is Progressive Concepts. Progressive Concepts offers complete equipment packages containing everything you need to start...
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Posted: 03/29/2017
The Numark MP103USB CD Player is perfect for use in Radio Broadcasting. The MP103USB has all the features needed by todays demanding radio DJ's. Furthermore, the MP103USB is rugged in design so that it lasts under the rigors of constant use.
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Posted: 08/11/2016
Formula to figure ERP of an FM Antenna
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Posted: 09/28/2015
Those who have an interest in operating a low power FM or LPFM radio station, either on behalf of a company, institution, or for personal use, are often intimidated by the prospect of assembling all of the necessary equipment and sending sound...
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Posted: 08/27/2015
Whether you are a radio broadcasting hobbyist, or a full time disc jockey/talk show host, nothing is more crucial than your radio transmitter. Other components found within this industry such an amplifier, oscillator, modulator, power supply,...
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Posted: 07/21/2015
If you’re like many people, when you think of the difference between AM and FM radio, you might say, “Well, AM is mostly talk radio and FM is mostly music.” While this is somewhat true (there are exceptions with both),...
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Posted: 05/15/2015
Imagine being able to send out music and thoughts through energy, electrons and radio waves. An FM antenna does just that. Antennas are sometimes called an aerial. You see antennas every single day of your life. They are built into our cell...
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Posted: 04/08/2015
Why would someone want to host their own LPFM or low power FM radio show? The answer is simple. Hosting an LPFM low power radio show is a wonderful way to promote a business, a cause, or to inform those in your community about a...
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Posted: 03/16/2015
Emergency Messaging systems were once very expensive, but they have become much more affordable in recent years. They offer many benefits to radio stations, and now, more than ever, DASDEC systems are affordable for even the smallest radio...
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Posted: 02/19/2015
Every sound engineer has had to deal with telephone lines at one time or another. Linking the phone conversation to an audio system when taking calls at a radio studio can be accomplished via telephone hybrids such as the JK Audio AutoHybrid....
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Posted: 01/20/2015
In previous posts, we’ve outlined the equipment you need to get your low power FM radio station up and running. But before you start purchasing the different pieces of your broadcast puzzle, you should first understand the function of each...
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Posted: 12/22/2014
After you’ve assembled the necessary equipment to broadcast your signal through the airwaves, you can begin to pick and choose certain items that will enhance your broadcast. The most important component to ensure that your voice carries well...
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Posted: 11/20/2014
Out of all the equipment needed for radio broadcasting, there is no piece more important than the FM radio broadcast transmitter or FM Transmitter. Sure, the microphone picks up your voice, the audio processor makes it sound better, and the...
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Posted: 10/21/2014
So you’ve been dreaming about running your own radio station, and you have a good idea of what you will broadcast, but how do you know exactly what equipment you’ll need? While there are endless bells and whistles you can purchase...
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