New Petaluma radio station seeks input, DJs

A group of Petaluma radio enthusiasts is slowly closing in on a longstanding dream of reviving a locally-based FM station.|

A group of Petaluma radio enthusiasts is slowly closing in on a longstanding dream of reviving a locally-based FM station and is seeking to assemble a group of creative minds to help populate the airwaves.

As Petaluma Community Access, a local media nonprofit, is ironing out the details about how and when KPCA low-power FM radio 103.3 will be accessible through residents’ radio dials, it’s looking to the public to shape the future station’s programming over the course of two stakeholder meetings to be held at 6 p.m. July 21 and Aug. 25 at the 205 Keller St. studio.

“There’s really a ton of stuff to do - it’s kind of mind boggling to start something from scratch like this,” Outreach Coordinator Chris Fisher said. “At the first two meetings, we’re really going to be inviting people in and helping them sort of narrow down what they’re willing and able to do. In seeing interest from the two meetings, we’ll have a better idea of planning what we can do.”

Fisher said about a dozen interested parties have already thrown out ideas - ranging from radio dramas to a historical show to music-based programming - and he said the studio’s four part-time employees are ready to jump in and help potential producers and personalities develop their concepts into a radio reality.

Among those eagerly awaiting the area’s first radio station since KTOB, Petaluma’s most well-known station, was sold in the 1990s, is the Petaluma Radio Players, an acting troupe that creates radio dramas. The group is already busy producing original content for the airwaves, including a series of historical fiction murder mysteries and a drama that delves in to the complexity of human interaction and memory, according to supervising producer Ralph Scott.

Fisher said it’s not yet clear what exactly the finalized programming will look like, but he’s confident it will reflect the diversity of Petaluma’s population.

“It’s definitely going to be eclectic,” Fisher said. “We’ll be there to encourage as broad of a population as possible to pursue what they really want to do.”

While the road map for programming is drafted, Petaluma Community Access staff is still waiting to clear several hurdles before the station launches into the airwaves, including identifying one of several potential locations to place an antenna or a transmitter, and converting an office in the studio into a radio-ready sound booth.

Staff plans to visit other low-powered FM access stations across the Bay Area while compiling a shopping list for its own needs, according to Executive Director John Bertucci.

Though loose ends remain, staff was quick to point out that laying the groundwork for programing and planning for the future is an important step at this juncture.

Bertucci said he hopes the station will be launched in September, but if that goal falls short, online outlets including the website as well as one of the three public access TV channels can be utilized for broadcasting radio content. The clock is ticking, however as an extension to the initial FCC license requires the station begin broadcasting by late 2017, according to Fisher.

Though exact figures needed for launch and for the station’s annual budget have yet to be pinned down, Bertucci said the organization could be as much as $20,000 away from its initial financing goal. The nonprofit will continue its annual Oscars-themed fundraiser and is eying ways to set up an online donation system and looking for sponsors, he said.

When it’s operational, KPCA will share the airwaves with stations in Napa and Sonoma, and is slated to broadcast during limited hours between Sunday afternoon and Friday morning, Fisher said. Looking to the future, Bertucci said he hopes to find a way to host around-the-clock programming.

Petaluma Mayor David Glass, a former professional sportscaster who still gets in front of the camera for monthly programs including a community update with Aqus Café owner John Crowley, said that station will be an asset for Petaluma. He noted that among other things, the airwaves could be a place to feature local sports programming, while also serving as a training ground for those with aspirations for a broadcasting career.

“To have a local radio station that’s not tied into a commercial endeavor - a local program available to do something you want to do - what a great opportunity,” he said, adding that he doesn’t have plans for his own show, but he’ll offer his help if necessary.

Bertucci said the station provides an easily-assessable microphone for the community to be heard, and he encouraged Petalumans to participate in the conversation.

“The equipment we have here belongs to the people of Petaluma, we just administer it for the community … it’s a resource like a park,” he said. “It’s a place for community communication.”

(Contact Hannah Beausang at hannah.beausang@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @hannahbeausang.)

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