WIUX makes move to new frequency

WIUX fans need not fear any longer – the radio station will stay on the FM dial. \nThe station jumped from 100.3 FM to 99.1 FM on June 4, after WYGB, a Columbus, Ind., country station, moved to 100.3 FM, ending months of negotiations with the Federal Communications Commission. \nWhen the FCC first announced the takeover, WIUX was slated to be removed from the FM frequency entirely. WIUX asked listeners to write to their senators and congressmen, and with the help of faculty and alumni, sent a petition to the FCC. Senators Evan Bayh, D-Ind., Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th, then sent letters to the FCC asking for a reversal of the decision. \nWYGB was able to take over 100.3 FM because its Class A broadcast license has priority over WIUX’s Class D license. The license makes it possible for WIUX to operate on a Low Power FM frequency, a status given to stations that have little to no protection from stations holding superior broadcasting licenses. During negotiations, WIUX received word that 99.1 FM had opened up. Station Manager and junior Craig Shank said it was the best option for the low power station. “We felt it would be in our best interest if we made the switch,” he said. \nShank said the station’s concern had not been that WYGB was taking over its frequency but that the decision would have left WIUX with few options. He mentioned that if WIUX had not found its new frequency, which has a range of 15 miles, the station would possibly have been moved to AM 1570, which has about a one-mile range. WIUX would have been able to keep its 24-hour online broadcast, but its reach would still have been limited, Shank said. \nLow power stations such as WIUX can’t do much to make sure that a frequency takeover won’t happen again in the future, Shank said. \n“The only way we can guarantee something like this won’t happen again would be to acquire a full-power license,” he said, noting the licenses are in short supply and take years to get.\nAlthough all radio stations strive to increase their number of listeners, Shank said that would be difficult to do with WIUX’s frequency change. Instead of starting to advertise the change in the summer, WIUX will begin getting the word out in the fall when students return to campus. \nBall State’s radio station, WCRD, has not had the problems WIUX has faced. General Manager Joseph Lacay said although Indianapolis stations are “knocking on our door,” the station has not had to fight to stay on the air. \nThe station has also changed its format from College Music Journal, what Lacay described as “music from local bands or up-and-coming bands,” to a more mainstream one in order to increase its number of listeners. \n“A lot of people didn’t know the bands we played,” he said. \nShank said WIUX’s broadcasting format hasn’t changed since the station switched dials. He described WIUX’s unique format as a blend of different ones, including College Music Journal. \n“We made up a name (for our format): ‘underrepresented,’” he said, referring to the music, news and events the station promotes and covers. \nWith about 1,000 listeners, Shank said the station has a loyal following of people who enjoy hearing music by lesser-known artists. Most importantly, Shank pointed out, stations like WIUX provide something unique. \n“WIUX ... provides opportunities for students and people in the community to program their own radio station,” he said. “We’re all learning, but we make use of alumni, the University and the community to help us out.”