Rochester NY Radio: LPFMs Invade Radio Dial

Rochester NY  radio listeners may soon start hearing something a little different, with several new low-power stations trying to land on the FM dial.

According to a length story in the Democrat&Chronicle, at least six new 100-watt radio stations with limited range are promising to bring a wide range of new local programming to the FM dial. They include:

• WEPL 97. 1 FM
• WZNY 98.3 FM
• WARI 98.5 FM
• WXIR 100.9 FM
• WAYO 104.3 FM
• WRFZ 106.3 FM

With 100 watts of power, the signal for WAYO-FM will stretch out only about four miles and will focus on the local arts and cultural community, and plans to stream online starting Nov. 30 with a full launch scheduled for Jan. 4.

"We wanted a place where people could participate, but participate on their terms," said Michael Yates, WAYO co-founder and operational coordinator. "It would be an environment of creative freedom, where they could come up with an idea and have encouragement and support."


WAYO Radio - IndieGoGo Pitch from Neeti Fidurko on Vimeo.

The low-power stations were given life after President Obama signed the Local Community Radio Act nearly five years ago. The legislation eased restrictions by allowing more broadcasters to be placed on FM.

The measure allowed the Federal Communications Commission to hand out 100-watt licenses to new independent operators, who hope to add new voices to Rochester, but in a less expensive way to enter the market.

Each of the new local low-power FM stations hits a niche market.