WIKD-LP (The WIKD 102.5 FM) is the radio station of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The station broadcasts in the Daytona Beach area as a LPFM, covering about a 5- to 7-mile radius from the transmitter site, with a coverage of roughly 120,000 people depending on time of year not including online streaming. The station is non-profit, entirely student run, and does not have a fixed format, however focuses on Top 40, indie, and alternative rock.
WIKD is currently operated as a division of the Embry-Riddle Student Government Association by an eight-member Operations Board.
History
The history of student radio at Embry-Riddle dates back to the 1970s and WSST-FM, which morphed into WERU-AM in 1977. WERU-AM was dissolved in 1982. A subsequent broadcasting club charted with the Student Activities department dissolved in 1988 without establishing a student-run radio station. WSST and WERU were both low-power stations that were not able to be received off campus.
WIKD began as "The Broadcast Club" in the Spring semester of 1990, initially chartered by then-freshman Steve Graff. The first few meetings brought high turnout (ca. 75 students), but did not immediately lead to much progress. The club gained momentum after Graff met Todd Gumbrecht, another freshman resident of the same dormitory (Doolittle Hall, then known as Dorm I) as Graff. The two developed a publicity-heavy strategy in order to meet their goal of establishing a campus radio station.[citation needed]
The club became known for its fliers which were posted around campus (often in unapproved locations) to announce club meetings, as this was long before e-mail and text messaging and Facebook and Twitter. The fliers were influenced by the DIY ethic of punk rock, surrealism, 1950s' clip art, science fiction, and "golden age" of radio. A flier typically consisted of cut-and-pasted and otherwise altered photographs from magazines, and their distinct style and provocative nature made them stand out from other notices on campus.[citation needed]
The initial club logo was a stylized radio tower resembling the tower symbol from an FAA sectional chart, with the letters "WERU" drawn in a 1920s' art deco type script. The radioactivity symbol became another popular club logo later, appearing on buttons, T-shirts, and stickers. With the preponderance of fliers, T-shirts, buttons, and stickers, some students believed there actually already was an operating station on campus. The "WERU" station ID was not an FCC-assigned station ID, and was chosen purely because of the ease of recognition within the University community.[citation needed]
The club decided to pursue the goal of carrier current broadcasting, and in the Fall of 1991, Graff and Gumbrecht travelled to NYC to attend a convention of carrier current college stations hosted by equipment manufacturer LPB. At this meeting, the pair obtained a copy of the UConn station bylaws, which became the model for the broadcast club/WERU organization.[citation needed]
Also in 1991, Gumbrecht became the Student Government Association (SGA) representative for students living in campus housing. In addition to being a passionate advocate for dorm residents, Gumbrecht used this platform to further the argument for the station, and to find allies within the Student Government Association. Also, in 1991, the club organization began to bloom, with Carrie Czernikowski as the treasurer, author of the training manual, and eventual training director.[citation needed]
Initially there was antipathy from the dean of students, the Student Activities office, and the SGA toward the club and its goal of establishing a radio station. This was due to the failure and dissolution of a previous iteration of the broadcast club, involving theft of equipment. The mischievous and defiant impression that the club gave off at times may not have helped with this matter. However, the growing popularity of the movement among students, and the dedication of members eventually overcame the aversion, and by 1992, "Campus Radio" became a campaign issue in the SGA presidential race.[citation needed]
While working toward the eventual goal of a campus radio station, the club engaged in fundraising, publicity, and charity events, such as providing mobile DJ services for student organizations and Special Olympic events. These activities further increased the club's exposure, and generated funding for a proposed studio and broadcasting infrastructure. In 1993, per student vote, the station was established as a division of the SGA, the first new division in 24 years, with Gumbrecht as the Division Head.[citation needed]
The first WERU studio was in a closet shared by the university cafeteria vendor, Morrison's. At this point, the station broadcast via AM carrier current on 710AM. Eventually, the station moved operations to a closet in the McKay Hall dormitory with a small mixing board and two CD players. WERU later moved into a Student Government Association (SGA) office in the Student Center (currently room UC-111). With upgraded facilities, and by this time a full-fledged division of the SGA, WERU was initially broadcasting on 104.7MHz through radiating cable FM on campus. After many years of trials and tribulations from previous Chairmen, WERU 104.7 FM had finally applied for a LPFM FCC license in 2002 thanks to SGA President, Peter Alverez, and WERU Chairman, Patrick "Nacho" Mudge. Shortly after application, "Nacho" left ERAU to be soon followed by Chairman Greg Huston, who continued to pursue the station's LPFM license.[citation needed]
By the Fall 2004 semester Division Chairpersons Jesse Lesperance and David Yarwood had successfully completed the LPFM construction permit application. In February 2005 WERU completed its first broadcast on 99.1 FM. WIKD then applied and was approved for their current call letters as WIKD-LP.[citation needed]
On Christmas Day 2006, an F2tornado struck the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus, which caused millions of dollars in damages, subsequently damaging the radio station studio. Though the valiant work of many, WIKD was quickly back up and running, and within 2 months was back to a high broadcasting standard.[citation needed]
During the Winter break of 2011-2012 a team of WIKD members got to work to give the radio station a much needed makeover, both aesthetically, and technically. The implementation of a brand new Nautel VS300 transmitter with dynamic RDS capability was followed by a brand new climate controlled 10x12' transmission shed. The studio itself was made state of the art with complete Cat6 wiring and StudioHub+ implementation. Furthermore, new doors, ceiling tiles, paint job, desk carpet were installed. 6 fiber optic lines were run to form the internal network (WIKDNET) so that FTP and streaming services could be improved. Major strides in programming rotation were made to suit the new studio changes which include a CHR style rotation schedule. DJs continue to bring free-format variety to the station through their shows.[citation needed]
In April 2012 the WIKD crew applied for a frequency change from 99.1 MHz to 102.5 MHz. In doing so WIKD-LP effectively became a 24/7 FM station rather than the previous half-day timeshare station. In switching to 102.5 MHz WIKD also waived the large amounts of interference that were being received on 99.1 from a larger power FM station in Jacksonville, Florida. This new station was branded as The WIKD 102.5 FM and Eagles FM was dropped completely as a name.[citation needed]
WIKD continuously strives to provide radio entertainment in Daytona Beach, broadcasting through a fully digital capable studio, providing the only free-format radio option in Daytona Beach.[citation needed]
WIKD also provides a DJ service to members of the ERAU community, and the Daytona Beach Area called WIKD Entertainment. WIKD Entertainment offers professional entertainment services at reasonable prices, available for parties, weddings, various on-campus events, and other private events. All on-campus events for student clubs and organizations are provided free of charge.[citation needed]
WGHR was a noncommercial radio station operated exclusively by the students of Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia, United States. The station was supported by students and its listeners to provide diverse programming and represent its community with a wide variety of musical genres.
Low-power broadcasting is broadcasting by a broadcast station at a low transmitter power output to a smaller service area than "full power" stations within the same region. It is often distinguished from "micropower broadcasting" and broadcast translators. LPAM, LPFM and LPTV are in various levels of use across the world, varying widely based on the laws and their enforcement.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs. Founded at Lunken Field in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1926, its main campuses are located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. It is the largest accredited university system specializing in aviation and aerospace. It has numerous online programs and academic programs offered at satellite locations.
Campus radio is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively created or produced by students, or may include program contributions from the local community in which the radio station is based. Sometimes campus radio stations are operated for the purpose of training professional radio personnel, sometimes with the aim of broadcasting educational programming, while other radio stations exist to provide alternative to commercial broadcasting or government broadcasters.
Carrier current transmission, originally called wired wireless, employs guided low-power radio-frequency signals, which are transmitted along electrical conductors. The transmissions are picked up by receivers that are either connected to the conductors, or a short distance from them. Carrier current transmission is used to send audio and telemetry to selected locations, and also for low-power broadcasting that covers a small geographical area, such as a college campus. The most common form of carrier current uses longwave or medium wave AM radio signals that are sent through existing electrical wiring, although other conductors can be used, such as telephone lines.
WKUF-LP is a student-run low-power campus radio station located in Flint, Michigan. It broadcasts at 100 watts. It is operated by Kettering University, formerly the General Motors Institute (GMI). It is paid for by student activity fees and a special fund created by the university.
WERU-FM is a noncommercial, listener-sponsored community radio station licensed to the town of Blue Hill, Maine. It is owned by the Salt Pond Community Broadcasting Company. WERU-FM has studios in East Orland and its transmitter is on Blue Hill Mountain off Mountain Road.
Erau or ERAU may refer to:
WXSU-LP is the student-run radio station at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland. The station, formerly known as WSUR, was forced to change call letters when registering with the FCC because of an existing television station with those call letters in Puerto Rico. WXSU-LP first went live to the Salisbury community in 2005 with a low power, 100 watt signal. The station currently operates during the Fall and Spring semesters from Late August to Mid-May.
KRAM-LP is a radio station broadcasting a modern adult contemporary and adult album alternative music format. Licensed to Montevideo, Minnesota, United States, the station is currently owned by Thunderhawk Broadcasting Inc.
KZUC-LP is the student radio station on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. UCentral Radio applied for an LPFM license in November 2013 and was awarded a construction permit by the Federal Communications Commission on February 24, 2015. UCentral Radio is part of the UCentral student media network at the University of Central Oklahoma.
WQJJ-LP is an American low-power FM radio station licensed to serve the community of Jasper, Alabama. WQJJ-LP is owned by North Alabama Public Service Broadcasters.
WLPV-LP is a radio station licensed to serve Greenfield, Massachusetts. The station is owned by Living Waters Assembly Of God. It airs a Christian radio format.
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach is a residential campus of Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs, and it is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in arts, sciences, aviation, business, and engineering.
WVQC-LP is a non-profit, low-power FM radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio, licensed on the frequency 95.7 to Music Resource Center - Cincinnati. The station goes by the name 95.7 MRC Cincinnati’s New Music.
WRWS-LP is the campus radio station of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The station broadcasts in the Daytona Beach area as an LPFM. The station is non-profit, entirely student-run, and broadcasts an urban format.
WRTH-LP is an oldies/beach music radio station licensed to Greenville, South Carolina, and serving the entire Greenville County region. It is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast on 101.5 MHz with an FCC authorized ERP of 100 watts. The station goes by the name "Oldies Radio Kool-FM"
The Embry–Riddle Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach. Hosting an array of optical instruments, this observatory is situated on the roof of the College of Arts and Sciences building in Daytona Beach, Florida.
WXDR-LP is a non-commercial campus radio station licensed to Delgado Community College in New Orleans, Louisiana broadcasting on 99.1 MHz FM and Internet streaming. The station brands itself as Dolphin Radio in reference to the college's dolphin mascot, and airs an eclectic mix of musical genres including rock, hip-hop, blues, country, and jazz, along with syndicated programs. It is operated by the students, faculty and staff of Delgado Community College.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
