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09/12/2007: "SJI Group Hopes To Add Local Radio Station"

Michael Calhoun, President of the San Juan Island Community Radio Board of Directors, has requested the advice and assistance of the County Council for obtaining permits to install a FM 100 watt transmitter antenna "somewhere" on San Juan Island.

Mr. Calhoun told the Council that the mission of the CRB (San Juan Island Community Radio Corporation) is to “construct, implement, maintain and support a Low Power FM Broadcast Radio Station on San Juan Island for local on-air Educational, Informational/Emergency Preparedness and Entertainment purposes .”

The CRB has made some progress. They have incorporated as a Not For Profit Corporation and are in the process of soliciting tax deductible donation, and have applied for an FCC permit to place a transmitter and tower on San Juan Island. The proposal is for a “wooden telephone-like pole 25 feet high, with a small 3 foot odd shaped antenna (looks like a pitch fork hit by lightening) on top, and a small shed of the property owners' choice for the transmitter and solar panels”.

There concern is the UDC (Uniform Development Code) may have to be changed or interpreted in a manner that will allow them to go forward once, and if, they receive FCC approval.

While the site for the tower is yet to be determined, the “broadcast studio” is planned to be located near, or at, the San Juan Island High School. Calhoun said the studio would “have a play-list computer with either a DSL or a specialized cell phone link to the remote transmitter; this could be maintained by student interns as part of their 'radio class' -We already have two High School seniors on our board- with local news provided by both the students and regional news professionals also contacted.”

“Other programming, by FCC regulation, is at least eight hours a day of locally produced material, same of which can be done by students, the rest by local performers and producers,” he said, and added that “there has been enormous response by locals to a new outlet for their performances or ideas for locally produced shows.”

Because Mr. Calhoun’s comments and written material was submitted to the Council during the Public Access period, no direct action was taken by the Council, but they may take up the matter at a later date if they determine a need or justification to become involved.