Now they’re talking

PALMER — After three years of waiting, Radio Free Palmer has received a green light from the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast over the airwaves with the construction of a radio station.

The move will take the local station from its current Internet-only presence and put it in cars and homes on the radio. It will also provide the Palmer and Sutton areas with community-based programming that will aim to broadcast the feel of the Valley towns, officials say.

Now, Radio Free Palmer board members are turning to the community to help raise funds, time and materials to make the station a reality. Board member and technical advisor Jim Sykes said for the station to succeed it will take the help of community members, but will also give back to everyone.

“For community radio to succeed it needs to include everybody,” Sykes said.

He added he’s optimistic about the station’s chances, citing an abundance of people who say they’re ready for something different.

For David Cheezem, owner of Fireside Books and chair of the board for Radio Free Palmer, the new station will be another building block for the community.

“A community doesn’t just happen,” Cheezem said. “It’s created and built.”

And community radio is an essential part of a small town’s character, Cheezem added.

When it opens, the station will be located somewhere in Palmer, with its antenna and transmitter in Sutton.

Sykes said the station will transmit at 200 watts, with a nearly 50-foot tower sending out an FM signal.

The equipment — transmitter, antenna and other transmitting materials — is expected to cost from $7,000 to $10,000, Sykes said.

As for the studio, Sykes said the station already has some equipment, but is still nailing down a location.

“If anyone wants to donate space long-term …” Sykes said.

The idea for a community radio station in Palmer began in 2005 and has been picking up speed ever since.

Cheezem said many people have expressed interest in the idea, and he’s had people call up excited to help out.

The only roadblock, he said, was the FCC, which doesn’t just hand out permits to build a station willy-nilly. That’s why it took nearly three years to gain approval.

When the FCC gave the go-ahead, Cheezem said the ambition and interest was just waiting to pour out.

“This is like turning on a switch,” he said. “Now we’re ready.”

Working off the model of KTNA in Talkeenta, Sykes, who helped open that station, said Radio Free Palmer’s broadcasts will reflect the flavor of Palmer and Sutton.

It will also give community members a place to broadcast their interests, Cheezem added.

With all that’s been going on with getting the station approved, Cheezem said officials haven’t yet discussed what sort of specific programming to air.

“We want that to come from the community at large,” he said.

Along with news, Cheezem said he’d like to see the station play a broad range of music, as well as specialize programs and maybe some comedy and uniquely Alaska-style programming.

Typical features of community radio will also be heard, such as local information, weather checks, sports and other important public features.

Besides logistical and technical aspects, Cheezem and Sykes are busying themselves with securing funds and nailing down other aspects that go with a new radio station.

Both men said they know there’s a long road ahead of them before the station can open, and they’re counting on the continued interest of community members to see it to reality.

“We’ve got a few hurdles and a lot of work to do,” Sykes said.

Community members will get their first chance to help during what’s been billed as a “Winter Construction FunRaise” at 7 p.m., Dec. 6 at Vagabond Blues in Palmer.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.