KAMP still without FM frequency

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Media arts freshmen Mike Garrett (left) and Brent Biedel gave a colorful performance of their KAMP student radio show "Jock Talk" yesterday.

After a two-month search, the barely audible student-run AM station is still without a home on the FM dial.

KAMP hired a consulting firm in August to identify an FM frequency that would increase its broadcasting range outside the immediate campus area.

The search, which required a complex computer analysis of frequencies in the Tucson area, cost roughly $1,000, said Mark Woodhams, director of Arizona Student Media.

Given the strength of KAMP 1570 AM's proposed FM broadcast, only two frequencies were found that could accommodate the signal - but both conflict with existing KUAT radio stations.

"It doesn't look at this time as though we'll have an FM frequency," said Chip West, coordinator for KAMP student radio.

It was suggested that KAMP could share with KUAT 1550 AM's sister station, KUAZ 89.1 FM, but the public radio company chose last Friday not to allow the student station to broadcast on its frequency.

"As we expected, they had some good reasons not to let us co-locate with them," West said.

KUAT officials said that by allowing KAMP to share its FM frequency, KUAT would lose 40,000 listeners in the Tucson Foothills and Green Valley.

"This is a significant loss to their listenership," West said.

Under the proposed plan, some areas would have received KUAZ, while others would have picked up KAMP.

In light of KUAT's decision, West said KAMP radio is considering other options.

"We're not looking at this as a brick wall," he said. "We're trying to figure out how we can get our students on the air."

KAMP has been limited by a weak signal and lack of modern equipment since it started operating in 1988.

But it was granted an extra $35,000 per semester for five years after student voters approved a $1 optional fee for the station in March 1997.

The student fee budget is used to improve equipment and help the station grow. As of September, KAMP radio had spent about $13,000 of it on equipment, including turntables, lights, CD players, cassette players and computers.

"We bought basic things that radio stations have but that we didn't," West said.

He said although KUAT did not approve KAMP's use of its frequency, it was helpful in suggesting alternatives.

"We knew going in that it was an entirely uphill battle," West said. "But they were quite helpful."

One possible alternative is KAMP's existing Internet RealAudio service, which began this semester.

"We're at the front line of doing RealAudio," West said.

Web surfers in Arizona and beyond are now able to access the real-time, streamed audio signal.

"We've gotten a really good response back from listeners," West said. "Parents have been able to listen in Washington or Oregon."

West said the Federal Communications Commission requires KAMP not to interfere with other FCC-recognized stations such as KUAT. That is why it is so hard to receive KAMP Radio now, he said.

"We don't have an FCC license," West said. "Right now, according to FCC regulations, our station can only reach on campus."

KAMP's broadcasting problems are not related to a weak antenna, which currently packs 1 watt of power. The station must find a frequency before it can broadcast outside of the Memorial Student Union.

"Often there are no frequencies available," West said. "They are all gobbled up by other stations."

It is especially difficult for Tucson stations to find a frequency because they have to be careful not to interfere with the nearby Mexican stations, West said.

Still, many colleges have problems finding local frequencies that are still available.

"No (university) stations within the Pac-10 have FM frequencies," West said.

Geosciences senior Ernie Ortiz cannot receive KAMP radio.

"I've heard about it, but I've never heard it," Ortiz said.

Sarah A. Perry can be reached via e-mail at Sarah.A.Perry@wildcat.arizona.edu.