Huntley residents want low-power radio station

Now that Congress has opened up the airwaves to make more room for small noncommercial radio stations, a group of radio enthusiasts in Huntley is looking to claim its own piece of the FM dial.

The station, which will be known as Huntley Community Radio, is the brainchild of Allen Pollack, a Sun City resident who came up with the idea for a low-powered radio station.

For now, organizers are seeking grant money, corporate or civic underwriters, as well as donations to get the station on the air. Pollack said startup and first-year costs would be about $75,000, which would include constructing an antenna.

The aim of the station, Pollack said, is to provide programs that appeal to residents. Its slogan is, “Keeping Huntley residents entertained and informed.”

“Newspapers are fine — they provide information and a local source — but there is no form of communication that is as real-time as radio and television,” Pollack said. “Radio is an easy and passive source of real-time information that can be community-centric.”

In addition, the radio station would also be available online.

A low-powered FM radio station is limited to a broadcast radius of about 3½ miles using a 30-foot antenna and no more than 100 watts. The Huntley station, which will broadcast 24 hours a day, will be modeled on WRLR, a station in Round Lake Heights.

Earlier this month, Congress approved a bill mandating the Federal Communications Commission to license thousands of low-power community radio stations nationwide. The recent passage of the Local Community Radio Act repealed legislation approved in 2000 that limited low-power FM stations to mostly rural areas.

Pollack said local organizations such as church groups, community colleges and the local school district could use the station to publicize upcoming events or to produce their own programming.

Dorothy Litwin, a resident of Sun City and a member of the local radio group, said the lack of information available to residents during a previous storm illustrated the need for a local radio station.

“A tornado was heading to town and there was a truck going up and down the road telling people to find shelter. But I couldn't understand what he was saying,” Litwin said. “I turned on the radio and TV but couldn't find out what was going on in town. This is filling a need.”