WIUX airs on FM for first time

The "X" flyers all over campus signal Bloomington FM radio stations now have more competition to contend with on the airwaves. \nStudent radio station WIUS 1570 became WIUX-LP 100.3 Sunday. The switch from AM to FM is an event five years in the making. \nIn March 2000, the Federal Communications Commission began issuing low-power licenses to smaller organizations like educational institutions. Since then, the WIUS student committees have been working to organize the people, funding and technology it takes to set up an FM station. \nMyke Luurtsema, co-manager of the station, said the move establishes WIUX as "a real radio station." \n"It's really exciting because now we have the potential to broadcast to thousands, where hundreds were just listening before," he said. \nThe station has set high goals to be the No. 1 Bloomington station this time next year and have 50 percent of its income coming from underwriting, the private funding garnered by non-profit organizations, within the next five years, Luurtsema said. Currently the station is funded by a one-time grant of $9,000 received from IU's contract with Coca-Cola and another $9,000 contributed by alumni.\nThe dial change expands the listening area to 15 square miles, including campus, all of Bloomington and part of Ellettsville. Previously the station only reached half a mile with its AM signal. WIUX will also soon be available on www.wiux.org and Campus Channel 44. \nBrian Kerr, the station's special events director, said he thought the change would help the station create a larger impact. \n"Before we were looked at as just a student radio station that people don't listen to unless one of their friends is DJing," he said. "We'll hopefully benefit and be more of a presence in the community now." \nLuurtsema said the station's programming and staff makeup will stay almost the same with the move to FM. Although traditionally known as an indie rock station, Luurtsema said the new WIUX has enough programs to satisfy a widening and more diverse audience with indie hip-hop, dance and folk music and a new country show, along with the indie rock. \n"We're comfortable with the niche audience we have right now," Luurtsema said. "We're providing listeners with something they don't get from any other station." \nLuurtsema said WIUX covers nine IU sports and is the sole provider of live radio coverage for many of them. The station also plays host to live performances every other weekend from local bands or more popular acts that come through on tour. \n"We're required to play two local bands an hour, so that's a big focus for us," Luurtsema said. \nWith the move from AM to FM also comes more monitoring from the FCC. \n"We're a lot more careful about what we say," said DJ Anna Grimm, a senior and fine arts major.\nWIUX is one of few organizations at IU that is completely student-run, and about 200 students contribute to the process, Luurtsema said.\n"We're very informal. Everybody is friends," Luurtsema said. "It's like a family."\nStudents interested in working for the station can attend call-out meetings at the beginning of each semester to be trained, and sometimes can join one of 11 committees throughout the semester. \n"You don't need to know anything about music to work here," Luurtsema said. "Sometimes it's a lot of work, but you can really see the results." \nAn open house at the station, located at 815 E. Eighth St., is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17. Anyone interested in checking out the facility and meeting the DJs is invited.