Boise Community Radio - News & Events

Boise Community Radio Elaborates on Broadcast Plan

Station will use efficient antenna design and translator facility to reach Boise

April 29, 2008 - Boise Community Radio (BCR) announced more details today of their plan to broadcast an independent, community-based, noncommercial radio station in the Treasure Valley.

Seeking to elaborate on their successful efforts to secure a license from the FCC, Executive Director Jeff Abrams explained some of the technical details of their broadcast plan. "Finding a compelling solution to the technical aspects of our application was one of most challenging and rewarding aspects of Boise Community Radio's progress. Our engineer has honed this framework for six years to arrive at an elegant solution that we are really excited to implement."

Michael Brown, Boise Community Radio's chief engineer has over 30 years in radio broadcast engineering. "The main requirement for successful FM reception is to transmit from a location that has good line-of-sight into the desired area of service," said Brown, in discussing BCR's plan. "Our signal strength pattern analysis has shown that given the excellent sightline characteristics of our tower site in the Owyhee Mountains, use of a highly efficient antenna design will be more than adequate to propagate a strong signal into areas as far as the east side of Boise and perhaps beyond. We have conducted enough signal strength modeling and real-world coverage testing to be quite confident our plan will not only result in excellent service throughout most of the Treasure Valley, but that it is the most efficient, cost effective solution we could possibly have developed."

Map of 89.9 FM Coverage

Abrams said that the site "not only provides a high elevation location with unobstructed sightlines into Boise but we won't have to purchase and construct and transmission tower. This facility already exists, which also means we won't have the costly process of stringing power out to a remote transmitting site."

As added insurance, Boise Community Radio has acquired lease rights to a translator signal in Boise at 93.5 MHz that will rebroadcast the station on a secondary frequency. This will ensure better signal penetration into large buildings and to low-lying areas of the city with marginal lines-of-sight to the Owyhee Mountains. Thus, listeners will be able to hear the station almost anywhere in the Treasure Valley on a least one of the two different frequencies.

Map of 93.5 Translator Coverage

About Michael Brown, Brown Broadcast Services

Mr. Brown has worked for some of the largest broadcast groups in the U.S. and is the site supervisor for the largest combined FM tower site in Oregon, with nine stations under one roof. In recent years he has been a key technical resource for several community radio organizations, including the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Prometheus Radio, Public Radio Capital, and Native Public Media. In the years leading up to the October FCC application window, his firm worked directly with over 150 community and native groups and ultimately filed 88 applications for new noncommercial stations - believed to be the largest number filed on behalf of secular community groups in the filing window by any single engineering firm.

Boise Community Radio receives FCC green light to broadcast on 89.9 FM!!

Call letters to be released soon

April 24, 2008 - Boise Community Radio announced today that they have been issued a "construction permit" from the FCC, authorizing them to broadcast a local radio signal on 89.9 FM. The nonprofit organization was among the first 10% of applicants to have permits granted from the 3500 requests filed in October for new, noncommercial radio station licenses.

The proposed coverage area from Ontario, OR to east of Boise (over 3,000 square miles) is the largest population in the country not presently being served by independent, community-based, noncommercial radio.

"It is extremely gratifying to finally receive permission to broadcast in our community", said Executive Director, Jeff Abrams. "We are relieved to be out of the bureaucratic process, for now, and are eager to get the station on the air. Our board and dedicated volunteers have seen us through some trying moments over the years - it's exhilarating for them to have had their faith and patience rewarded."

Boise Community Radio's programming will have a daily impact on listeners by creating and encouraging opportunities for residents of the Treasure Valley to access local media.

"It's a watershed opportunity available to the community, now, to help build a media organization from scratch. The Treasure Valley is in a unique and coveted position - to actually have this authority from the FCC - it's a humbling and thrilling time for all of us."

Boise Community Radio currently broadcasts on the internet 24 hours a day at www.RadioBoise.org. Volunteer programmed, the webcast offers 24 hours of programming a day, including music, local issues-based content, and nationally distributed independent news and public affairs programs such as Democracy Now! and Free Speech Radio News.

Boise Community Radio is now readying to launch a capital campaign and seeks to raise $250,000 in local donations for equipment purchases and operational expenses. In addition, the organization has requested $400,000 in construction funds from the Department of Commerce.

Boise Community Radio Files for FCC Broadcast License

Boise ID, October 22 - Boise Community Radio announced today that they have filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting authorization to broadcast a new non-commercial radio signal to the Treasure Valley.

The all-volunteer non-profit organization said it submitted all necessary technical and legal documents during a 10-day application window that opened October 12 following a seven-year FCC-imposed filing freeze. As proposed, the station's signal would be located at FM 89.9 mhz and serve the entire region, from Ontario, Oregon to the east side of Boise.

"Today, Boise Community Radio has asked our federal government for something fundamental to American society...the opportunity for a community to practice freedom of the press without ties to corporate profiteers", said Jeff Abrams, Executive Director. "We anticipated this window five years ago and have poured everything we have into a well positioned application. With this filing, we are in many ways, at the finish line and the starting gate at the same time. We are thrilled."

Thousands of applications for "non-commercial, educational" stations were filed across the country during the window and will be available for viewing sometime this week on the FCC's website. "While we certainly don't expect the determination process to resolve itself overnight, we anticipate having a better understanding of the relative merits of our application in the next several days," said Abrams.

Abrams said the organization tried to maximize their standing within the FCC's newly adopted licensing "point system" and expressed confidence that their technical work to identify an available frequency and design a legitimate broadcast framework will ultimately pay off. The new criteria had been challenged in the court system and subsequently upheld by the D.C. District Court of Appeals.

"Boise Community Radio has focused, successfully, we hope, on recognizing the FCC's new evaluation criteria and using it to our advantage as a community-based organization", said Abrams. "They actually did a really good job of designing a fair licensing process when they implemented these new rules. They correctly recognized the magnitude of the opportunity and tried to re-instate some democracy in the procedures. It truly is the last shot for many parts of the country to receive non-commercial broadcast licenses."

Boise Community Radio's potential audience is the largest population in the country not presently being served by a non-commercial, community-based, independent radio station. To contact them or listen to their internet broadcast go to: www.RadioBoise.org.

Boise Community Radio Introduces Expanded Board of Directors

Boise, ID October 9 - Boise Community Radio announced today that they have completed the next phase of their Board of Directors expansion, adopting seven new members of their governing body.

"Part of what we identified as crucial to Boise Community Radio's evolutionary process was to recruit additional Board members who embody our philosophy and are reflective of our community" said Jeff Abrams, the organization's Executive Director. "We were fortunate to have had such a talented and diverse group endorse our efforts and agree to help steer this ship. We are extremely proud to introduce the newest members of our Board and will look to them for guidance, insight and organizational conscience."

Boise Community Radio's newly adopted Board members are (alphabetically): Steve Fulton, Patty Haller, Art Hodge, Dave Krick, Jerome Mapp, Scot Oliver and Jack Van Valkenburgh.

Abrams said efforts to recruit and adopt new Board members were initiated in the early spring and that changes to the organization's governing body will take effect immediately.

Next week, Boise Community Radio will submit an application to the Federal Communications Commission for a license to initiate a terrestrial broadcast on what will be the Treasure Valley's only independent, locally programmed, non-commercial radio station. Their internet broadcast can be heard at www.RadioBoise.org.

The following are biographies of new members of Boise Community Radio's Board:

Steve Fulton - Steve is a owner of AudioLab studios; Live concert production; Audio Engineer/ Producer; Sound designer/editor and composer for Film and Video; As a musician has commercially released full length studio recordings and toured in the United States and Europe. He is also the creator and producer of "Words & Music" a showcase of singer/songwriters.

Patty Haller - Patty is the Assistant Director of the Idaho Office for Refugees. She has also worked in state government and higher education and has written and managed several federal grants.

Art Hodge - Art is a Grammy award-winning music producer who has composed music for notable films, TV shows and commercials; he is also an adjunct professor at BSU teaching music production to local aspiring musicians and holds a law degree.

Dave Krick - Dave founded Bittercreek Alehouse in 1995 and has since opened five restaurants in Downtown Boise. Founding member of Treasure Valley Food Coalition, a non-profit with a mission to develop a local/ regional food system. Former Chamber of Commerce Board/Executive committee member and former President Downtown Boise Association Board of Directors. Currently serving on the board of Idaho Green Expo, Sanctuary Homeless Shelter and Treasure Valley Food Coalition. Twelve years in manufacturing management/training at HP.

Jerome Mapp - Jerome is a former Boise City Council member and acted as Council Pro-tem for one year and two years Council President. He has previous radio experience in Pocatello at Idaho State University (KBGL-FM) and KWIK-AM and co-hosted the Soul Patrol with the late Jim Edwards on KBSU-FM. He also had short stays at two local stations KIZN and KISS radio. He has been an avid music listener and collector since he was five years old.

Scot Oliver - Scot works as special projects manager for Boise's redevelopment agency, and is a singer/songwriter and guitar-maker. He was a founding board member and DJ at WMMT-FM, a community-based station in eastern Kentucky that just celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Jack Van Valkenburgh - Jack is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Idaho. He has served two terms on the national ACLU's Executive Directors Council - the association of ACLU state-affiliate executive directors. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Ada County Human Rights Task Force and on the board of directors of Freedom Means Choice.

From Free Press, November 8, 2007

At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing today, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced plans to introduce legislation that would halt the Federal Communications Commission's rush to gut longstanding media ownership rules.

The bipartisan "Media Ownership Act of 2007" - co-sponsored by Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) - would direct the FCC to conduct a separate proceeding on localism and create an independent minority and female ownership task force before moving forward with any changes to media ownership limits. The bill would also give the public a 90-day comment period on any proposed rules.

Last month, Senator Dorgan uncovered FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's secret plan to eliminate longstanding media ownership limits before the end of the year.

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, made the following statement:

"We are thrilled to see members from both sides of the aisle stand up for the public. This critical legislation will restore fairness and transparency in what has become a corrupt process at the FCC.

"In the rush to gut media ownership rules, the Commission has ignored the American people, neglected the media diversity crisis, and buried evidence that consolidation harms local communities. The Media Ownership Act would hold the FCC accountable for listening to the public and ensuring that the public airwaves reflect America's diverse local communities.

"The American people overwhelmingly oppose any rule changes that would allow big companies to swallow up more of their local media. This bill is an important reminder from Congress that the FCC must answer to the public, not corporate interests."

This article is from Free Press. If you found it informative and valuable, we strongly encourage you to visit their Web site and register an account, if necessary, to view all their articles on the Web. Support quality journalism.

FCC trying rewrite media ownership rules - AGAIN! Big Hearing tomorrow in Seattle. Your comments are needed!

As you read this, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is rushing through a plan to rewrite media ownership rules, letting the biggest media companies control even more local outlets. And he's doing it without giving the public ample opportunity to respond. The rules could take effect as early as December.

It's outrageous that Martin would try to pull a fast one on Americans. The FCC tried to do this in 2003, and nearly 3 million people rose up to say no. Our protest forced Congress and the courts to reject the FCC's decision. But despite overwhelming public opposition, Chairman Martin is trying to sneak through this massive giveaway before the Bush administration leaves office. We can put a stop to Martin's secret plan by reminding your elected officials that they must hold the FCC accountable.

Fortunately, some members of Congress are fighting back already. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota said, "If the chairman intends to do something by the end of the year, then there will be a firestorm of protest and I'm going to be carrying the wood." It's time to help Senator Dorgan light the fire.

FCC to hold final hearing in Seattle

The very last public hearing nationwide on these rule changes will happen in Seattle on Friday, November 9th. Northwest residents could make a real difference in an incredibly important national debate. All five commissioners will attend this hearing, and all comments will become part of the FCC's official record. It's important that those who support grassroots and locally-controlled media make a big showing at the hearing or submit email comments to tell the FCC how they feel. The FCC hearing in Seattle will be the only chance for Northwest residents to weigh in on proposals that would allow giant media companies to grow even bigger.

We need to send the FCC - and Congress - a powerful message that the Northwest wants less corporate media consolidation, not more.

If you can somehow attend tomorrow's hearing or know someone who may want to testify, please contact Boise Community Radio.

If not, you can let Chairman Martin know he won't be allowed to get away with rewriting the rules.

Go to STOP Big Media! to file your comments on media deregulation.

Tell the FCC to promote more localism in media and stop allowing consolidation in a day when fewer and fewer big corporations already own a huge proportion of media outlets. Encourage them to promote MORE diversity of ownership, not LESS.

You can also learn more about this initiative at: Reclaim the Media!

BCR UPDATE: Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are forever appreciative for the enthusiasm, patience and encouragement we've received over the years from you all while waiting for the FCC to allow us to apply for a broadcast license. We feel strongly that the trust and confidence you've placed in Boise Community Radio's efforts to bring you a locally programmed, independent, community-based radio station have been validated by our accomplishments and organizational track record.

As the opportunity approaches, finally, for us to submit our FCC application we wanted to provide you with the latest and greatest developments in our continuing quest for media democracy in the Treasure Valley.

1) First, and most important, is the FCC announcement that the application window has indeed been set for October 12! With the rigorous efforts of our engineer and lawyer, Boise Community Radio is now essentially ready - both legally and technically - to file our frequency application, even if the window were to open tomorrow. Here is a link to the FCC's announcement

2) Boise Community Radio is proud to announce that we were just awarded a grant from The Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based chapter of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Funds will help pay for services associated with broadcasting the American roots music component of our webcast programming.

3) Boise Community Radio was just extended a $15,000 line of credit from Idaho Independent Bank to help pay for new engineering and legal fees incurred in the application process.

4) Within the next two weeks, Boise Community Radio will complete our recent efforts to enhance and diversify our governance by formally adopting additional talented and committed members to our Board of Directors.

Additionally, we are enjoying participating again in the "Fall for Boise" celebration this year and appreciated your insights at the screening and discussion of "Before the Music Dies" documentary film. We invite you all to stop by to say hello at the Hyde Park Street Fair (Sept 14-16) where we will have an information booth and be stage hosts for the weekend. We also hope you continue to enjoy the diversity of music and issues-oriented programming we've been presenting on our webcast, RadioBoise, for the past two years.

As you know, Boise Community Radio is an all volunteer organization. As such, your financial support has even greater leverage. Contributions from the community are greatly appreciated and essential as we move towards our goal of a live terrestrial broadcast. Donations can be made by going to http://www.radioboise.org/participate.html#donate.

To close, for now, after five years of research, outreach and organization-building, Boise Community Radio is finally on the cusp of consummating our significant efforts. There is no greater ambition, in our view, than to try to do our part to ensure a free press - the most essential component of a free society. We regard ourselves as a blossoming institution in the Valley - one in which YOU, our community, are the ultimate custodians. Thank you for the privilege to continue to do this important work.

Regards,

Jeff Abrams

Executive Director

Boise Community Radio

Fee Increase Temporarily Suspended: Read more below!

*Update on proposed webcaster fee increases from Andi Sporkin, Vice President for Communications, NPR:

"NPR and CPB are confident that public radio stations can continue their music streaming operations for the next three months as good faith discussions are ongoing about the structure and amount of the ultimate fee. At this time, public radio stations will continue music webcasting without limit to visitors to their webstreams or changes in their current operations."

Boise Community Radio supporters - You can still help by calling your congressional representative. The bipartisan "Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007" would reverse the CRB decision in favor of a balanced structure that supports artists without putting webcasters out of business. Representatives Mike Simpson and Bill Sali have the power to overturn this decision and create a system that supports artists and webcasters alike. Call and ask them to support the "Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007" (H.B. 2060, S.1353):

Rep. Mike Simpson (208) 334-1953; (202) 225-5531

Rep. Bill Sali (208) 336-9831; (202) 225-66111

Thanks for your support,

Jeff Abrams

Executive Director

Boise Community Radio to Screen "Before the Music Dies" and Host Discussion with Artists, DJs and Radio Program Directors

Boise, ID July 30, 2007 - Boise Community Radio will host a screening and follow-up panel discussion of the American music documentary "Before the Music Dies" downtown at The Flicks on Thursday, Aug 16 at 7 p.m. Described as "the most important film a music fan will ever see", it is an unsettling yet inspiring look at today's pop music landscape and the corporations that control it.

Following the screening, a panel of artists, DJs, and program directors will give their impressions of how their personal experiences compare to what the film portrayed and offer the audience a local window into a world that impacts so much of the music they hear on record labels and corporate radio. Local panelists will include Built to Spill guitarist, Brett Netson; Boise State Radio Program Director, Ele Ellis; KZMG Music Director, Brad Collins; KRVB DJ Rochelle Smith; and Boise Community Radio Program Director, Brad Southard.

Narrated by Academy Award® Winner Forest Whitaker, "Before the Music Dies" (www.B4MD.com) tells the story of American music at a precarious moment. Filmmakers Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen traveled the country, hoping to understand why mainstream music seems so packaged and repetitive, and whether corporations really had the power to silence musical innovation. The documentary features interviews and performances by Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Branford Marsalis, Questlove and a wide variety of others. It has screened in over 130 North American markets and built a passionate following by providing "a balanced overview of the state of the rock scene of America" (The Wall Street Journal) and adding "passion to the eternal debate about the industry" (The New York Times).

The event will benefit Boise Community Radio's efforts to bring a new independent, locally-programmed, non-commercial radio station to the Treasure Valley. The organization will apply to the FCC this fall for a frequency on the FM dial. Their internet broadcast can be heard now at www.RadioBoise.org

Steering Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 15, 6pm - at the studio

Practice New Year's Eve Party December 2

On Saturday, December 2, 7pm - midnight, Boise Community Radio and The Bouquet will present....A Practice New Year's Eve Bash!

Please join us for this one-of-a-kind year-end party and silent auction featuring:

Live Music and DJs from several eras!
Countdowns at the top of every hour!
Silent auction with cool gifts donated from YOUR community!
All proceeds will benefit Boise Community Radio

Click here to learn more about the event!

If you have a small business and are interested in contributing a tax-deductible item to our silent auction we'd love to accept it.

Tell your FRIENDS!

Boise Community Radio and TVCTV to Host Amy Goodman's First Boise Appearance 9/26/06

Host of Democracy Now! to speak on corporate-sponsored media, the politics of news manipulation and those bucking the system.

Boise Community Radio and Treasure Valley Community TV are proud to present award-winning journalist and Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and author David Goodman, on Tuesday, September 26 at 12:00 noon in the BSU Student Union Building Lookout Room.

Please join us for this very special event and hear their powerful message about corporate-sponsored journalism, the politics of news manipulation and the importance of grassroots efforts, like ours, to maintain an independent, non-commercial, democratic media.

Democracy Now!'s War and Peace Report is broadcast daily on Boise Community Radio (http://www.radioboise.org/) and TVCTV (Ch 11 & 98).

This will be their first visit to Boise. They will be available for a book signing immediately following the address. Doors will open at 11:30 am. Light refreshments will be served. TVCTV and Boise Community Radio are asking for a suggested donation of $10.00 but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Student admission is free. The event is co-sponsored by the Dead 8 Film Club. All proceeds will benefit TVCTV, Boise Community Radio and the Dead 8 Film Club.

Immaculee Ilibagiza and Marianne Williamson Speak at the Velma Morrison Performing Arts Center Sunday 10/1/06

Radio Boise is a co-sponsor, along with Spirit at Work Books, of these two incredible women together in one event at the Morrison Arts Center on Sunday, October 1 at 2pm. See the Spirit at Work website for more details. All tickets sold at Spirit At Work will donate $2 for each purchase to Immaculee's Rwanda Orphan Fund: Left to Tell Foundation.

RadioBoise.org has been webcasting for more than one year!

Check out our new schedule (as of July 5, 2006). New shows include:

Synchro System: electronic/funk/soul/psychadelic/jazz/Afrobeat/juju/North African/Brazilian/afro-cuban/dub
A Blue Highway: Blues, R&B, and Rock'n'Roll from off the beaten path
This Machine: Alt-Country, Folk, Indie, Lo-Fi, and Punk that challenges, with a message
Blue Skies: eclectic mix
Snow and Thunder: Nordic roots
The In Crowd: eclectic mix
South Boise Blues: contemporary blues
Rootboy Reggae: old-school reggae
Wild Clearwater Country: a local environmental issues show from northern ID, hosted by Gary McFarlane of Friends of the Clearwater

State of Your Station, January 2006

Before we embark on the journey that 2006 promises to be, we felt it important, as well, to review and update you on the tremendous organizational strides Boise Community Radio made in 2005. And in the same way that the freshness, passion and creativity of an opening concert act often outshine the headliner, we might just steal the President's thunder.

So now we invite you to put your feet up, settle in, and apprise yourself of the "State of Your Station."

2005

Although much work remains, at no time has Boise Community Radio been better positioned and more prepared to hit the airwaves (if only the FCC could boast such efficiency). Significant progress has been made on several fronts to bring “Locally Grown Radio” to the Treasure Valley and can be best highlighted by our Top 11 accomplishments of the year:

1. Launched our 24-hour internet broadcast
2. Recruited over two dozen local DJs and program producers
3. Relocated to our downtown office space in the Alaska Building
4. Designed and assembled our broadcast studio using (almost exclusively) donated and discounted equipment
5. Obtained over $5,000 in local cash donations and over $6,000 in other in-kind donations
6. Used other grant funds to continue work with our engineer to refine technical solutions of our eventual terrestrial broadcast set-up
7. Garnered increased attention from community stakeholders and local media
8. Attained affiliate membership status with the Pacifica Network
9. Continued outreach activities at local events
10. Continued collaborations with non-profit grassroots media organizations
to push the FCC for a more democratic media
11. Continued to gain organizational exposure at national media conferences

2006

The agenda for 2006 is looking to be just as full and exciting. We expect it to culminate with the FCC providing an opportunity for Boise Community Radio to apply for an official broadcast license (they're hinting at some time this fall).

We have just added several great new music programs to the schedule http://www.radioboise.org/schedule.html! Other exciting program ideas we're currently working on involve cooperative productions with the Riverstone Community School, Idaho Rivers United, United Vision for Idaho, and the Payette Avalanche Center.

Also - mark your calendars - we are planning a benefit concert on Saturday, March 4th featuring Ned Evett, Steve Fulton and Dale Keys at the Visual Arts Collective (15th and Grove in Boise). Other specifics details of this show will be announced soon!

If you've been enjoying the webcast, we encourage you to think about helping us defray some of the costs of producing it. Also, if you support the grassroots efforts we are making to bring the Treasure Valley its only community-based radio station, please consider additional ways that you'd like make the upcoming year an even greater success for us. Here are a few ideas:

1. Make a cash or in-kind donation
2. "12x12" - For $12 dollars a month (over the next 12 months) you could become one of our 100 Founding Members
3. Volunteer your time and creative energy
4. Listen to the webcast and give us your ideas
5. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

Your ideas, input, and enthusiasm have been integral to the successes we've experienced over the past year. Indeed, that's what “Locally Grown Radio” is all about! We hope you continue to recognize the importance of our mission to improve the cultural health of the Valley and to give a voice to those who call this area home.

Best Wishes for 2006,
Jeff Abrams, Executive Director

Locally Grown Radio - is available on the Internet!

Boise Community Radio (BCR) has been streaming audio content from their website since July 1, 2005. The web-based programs will act as a bridge to BCR's eventual on-air radio broadcast. Webcasting will give the station the opportunity to find its voice and the community a chance to get more involved, in advance of going live on the air. BCR's potential audience is the largest population in the country not presently being served by a non-commercial, community-based, independent radio station. The webcasting initiative will be self-sustaining through underwriting programs and listener donations.

In continuation of the webcasting effort BCR is seeking members of the community who are interested in hosting weekly programs. Program proposal forms and listener surveys can be submitted from BCR's website (click here). DJ training is provided periodically. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria determined by BCR's Programming Committee: