how to start a radio station?

[ruebh]

How do you start a radio station (not internet) or find one that is for sale?

[x]

If you have to ask, you aren't ready.

Sorry to be so blunt, but that's the truth. Assuming you could find an available facility (either ready to be sold or ready to be put on the air), you'd need to be prepared to shell out LOTS of money. I don't have an actual figures, but it wouldn't surprise me if you'd have to have hundreds of thousands of dollars unless you want to broadcast to 10 people and 50 miles of empty land.

[admin]

Chances are if you don't have a few million laying around forget it, and if you want an LPFM it will be in the middle of nowhere and as soon as you get it on the air the corperates will find a way to boot you anyway

[FriendLee]

ruebh,

If you wanted to you could check into Part 15 AM. It's unlicensed, legal (as long as you follow the letter of the law) and an option. Granted, you wouldn't cover the greater Wasatch Front metro but you can easily cover your neighborhood. It's a thought.....

Friend Lee

[admin]

Have you even read the new part-15 rules??? AM now has the same restrictions as FM 250ft serviceable area...not worth it

[big51unit]

Ruebh,

I definitely agree with the others. If you're asking how to start a radio station you aren't ready to even think about it. Starting a station these days will run you in the mid-high 6 figure range for one with no coverage and into 7 figures for something that will reach anywhere.

If you still have an interest and you live in Southern Utah, I'd suggest that you contact Jeff Johnston in Parowan. He's the last one I know of that successfully put a station on the air. I've heard stories of he and his wife working 12-15 hour days, borrowing against about everything they had to keep the station on the air. They had a good staff and an excellent guy that ran the place although I don't remember his name.

In the end, though, they wound up selling the station because they didn't have the resources to keep up with the Simmons, etc. and the corporate stations.

My best advice? Study broadcasting, get an intership and learn the workings of a real radio station...and call Jeff, he's a real nice guy. Oh, and don't forget to find about 3 million or so. Other than that, watch reruns of WKRP and love the thought that radio used to be that way.

[FriendLee]

SLC/URN:

Can you point me to where in 47 CFR part 15 those new rules are written? And do you know when those changes went into effect?

Thanks!

Friend Lee