WRPI, Rensselaer's student-operated radio station, will start broadcasting on November 1 with a new FM transmitter, in addition to the AM transmitter already in use. The new transmitter, which is rated at l,000 watts and is to be operated on a frequency of 91.5 megacycles has a cost of about $8,000 and is a donation from WROW. With the use of the new transmitter WRPI is expected to have a broadcasting range with a radius of thirty miles and a possible listening audience of 100,000 people in contrast to the present range covering only the campus and the freshman dormitories.
Studios In Lounge
According to Dick Ames, President of WRPI, there will not be as much work to be done as might be expected in hooking up the new transmitter because much of the equipment which would need adapting is already in use. Successful tests were run on the transmitter Saturday night. WRPI has its studios located at the Fifteenth Street Lounge. The antenna, erected last spring, rises twenty-four feet above the roof of the lounge
No Commercials
There will be no commercials over FM. WRPI has to obtain an educational license for FM, since the station is operated only during the school months. All engineering personnel must have an FCC commercial radio-telephone license. As a consequence, the station gives a training program to all those who are interested in operating the station. No experience is necessary for an applicant.
The music of big name singers classical music, jazz, and a weekly jazz show are some of the items on the program. Also, WRPI subscribes to a national news service and expects to cover home athletic events and several away games. There are many opportunities for freshmen interested in engineering work, announcing, recording, publicity, sales, public relations, and writing commercials. Those interested in the station may see Dick Ames, President; Ralph Asher, Station Manager; or George Chamberlin, Technical Director.