Low Power FM For Dummies

Chapter 1

Getting High Impact from Low Power

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introducing Low Power FM

Starting your own station

Building on your dreams

Your radio is hungry. It craves life, music, and conversation. It longs to connect neighbors with one another and unite enemies with a song. Radio dreams of broadcasting the sound of community to the people who live there. At long last, a group of radio activists have emerged to energize and empower the FM airwaves. They have started a Low Power Revolution and they are seeking a few good recruits!

Radio is dangerous, it is live, raw, and pervasive. It is powerful and unstoppable, which may be why it became so inaccessible. For nearly a century, commercial interests have tied up the FM frequencies leaving little room in between for community voices. But not anymore! Thanks to an unlikely partnership between pirates and politicians, the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 opened up these in-between spaces and put the power of radio into the hands of the people. If you’ve ever believed that you could change the world, you now have the opportunity. Take a deep breath and count to three, because an exciting journey lies ahead.

This chapter is your invitation ...