彩民宝典

It鈥檚 a big move for the independent, student-run college radio station, located in the basement of 彩民宝典鈥檚 University Memorial Center (UMC).

Since 1998, has provided unique programming to the Denver/Boulder area, featuring a wide assortment of independent music while promoting a noncommercial message.

The recent purchase and implementation of an FM translator means that, for the first time ever, Radio 1190鈥檚 signal can be picked up on 98.9 FM in the Boulder Valley, Lyons, Golden and along US 36 to Broomfield, Colorado. Nicknamed 鈥淭he AM Revolution,鈥� Radio 1190 previously was available only on the AM dial, or online.

Lots to learn

The expansion to FM has brought with it major changes to the station鈥檚 infrastructure and training for all the DJs.

鈥淕oing FM is a huge step for Radio 1190 and everyone involved,鈥� says Donato Ruscitti, student production director. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing opportunity for all of the DJs and managers and serves as a learning experience.鈥�

Trainings began this past summer and have continued into the fall semester to ensure that the quality of Radio 1190鈥檚 on-air personalities matches the higher quality sound. The trainings have covered the the differences between manual disc jockeying and the new automation system, as well as how to communicate the station鈥檚 rebranding on-air.

The station, which is supported by , will remain 鈥淩adio 1190,鈥� but with the new on-air station identification, 鈥淩adio 1190 AM, and now on 98.9 FM in Boulder.鈥� The new also supports and is affiliated with Radio 1190.

Gaining real-world experience

In addition to exposure to the technological advances Radio 1190 has undergone in expanding to FM, students are getting a better taste of what a career in radio might involve.

鈥淲e鈥檙e now providing a more relatable environment for anybody wanting to go into professional radio after they graduate, so they can transition much more easily along a horizontal line, having operated automation systems, worked with scheduling programming and music content,鈥� says Mikey Goldenberg, longtime radio professional and general manager of Radio 1190. Goldenberg is the only full-time staff member at the station.

For some members of the Radio 1190 community, however, the expansion to FM may bring about questions such as whether the non-commercial message will change and whether the type of music will change.

鈥淚t won鈥檛 be different, it will be more,鈥� says Goldenberg. 鈥淚t hopefully will appeal more to people鈥檚 musical and community-inspired tastes because of the palatability of the new signal.鈥�

A conversation starter

One hope of the Radio 1190 student crew is that the move to FM will serve as a conversation starter, particularly with other student groups and organizations at 彩民宝典.

鈥淧eople in the external community know about and listen to Radio 1190, but it seems that the internal community at 彩民宝典 doesn't really know that their school has one of the best college stations in the country,鈥� says Kenneth Prior, student membership director. 鈥淚t is understandable that a lot of students don't listen to Radio 1190 because not many people listen to radio, or AM radio for that matter. However, I really believe that going FM will give us more of a presence among the campus community.

Beyond the basement walls of the UMC, Radio 1190 already collaborates with the the first Thursday evening of each month, exploring how the worlds of visual art and auditory art collide. As part of the free event, which includes art, music and food, the Radio 1190 creative team curates a playlist that is inspired by the exhibition and conversations with the artists.

Another special program is Local Shakedown, aired each Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., showcasing Colorado-centric music. Local bands can submit their music to be played on the radio and even to perform live in the studio.