WRFL draws closer to expansion goal

By Paul Mattingly

After months of fundraising, WRFL will have all but $30,000 for a project to expand its airwaves as far as Nicholasville, Ky., by the end of the school year.

88.1 WRFL, a commercial-free radio station housed on UK’s campus, will have $95,000 for the $125,000 project at the end of the school year, barring any unexpected expenses, said WRFL student media adviser Chris Thuringer. If the station decides to buy a transmitter with high-definition capability, the cost of the project would increase to about $150,000.

In June 2007, WRFL was granted a construction permit by the Federal Communications Commission allowing the station to install equipment that will increase signal strength to the north and west of Fayette County, the station’s current listening area. Because of FCC restrictions, WRFL is not allowed to expand its signal to the south and east.

To increase signal strength, the station must replace its transmitter and antenna, which are located on the top of Patterson Office Tower. The current transmitter produces a 250-watt signal, while the new one would transmit 7,900 watts.

Funding for the project has come from various sources. WRFL received a funding increase when the station’s allotted student fees were raised from $3.50 per student to $4.75 per student last school year. The station has also held fundraisers, such as the FreeKY Fest in April of last year, to fundraise and raise awareness about the expansion. Thuringer said private donations have also played a large role, totaling about $16,000.

Next semester, WRFL is considering on-air phone-a-thons to encourage support. The station has also put on fewer concerts over the past year and done other things to cut back on expenses.

The station has until June 26, 2010, to complete the expansion, after which other stations may step in and broadcast to WRFL’s planned area of expansion. Because of the nature of the installation, it must take place during a break for students.

Both WRFL General Manager Chuck Clenney and Thuringer, who have spearheaded the project, say it will be done by the deadline.

As WRFL continues to work toward its goal of expanding its listener area, the station could get its biggest financial support for the remainder of the project from a federal grant waiting to be reviewed.

Clenney said the station has applied for a federal matching grant from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. The grant would cover half of the cost of the project, meaning WRFL would already have the money it needs to complete the expansion.

Thuringer said the timeline for the expansion depends on whether or not the station gets a grant from the program. A decision is expected in March.

“It will happen sooner if we get the grant, probably during the summer, Thuringer said. “But if we don’t get it, the student fees from the Fall 2009 semester will give us enough money to complete the expansion by the spring of 2010.”

Thuringer said the station is excited about the expansion.

“It’s a really rare opportunity to be able to expand our service area,” Thuringer said.