KWCR 88.1 FM With less radiated energy than a standard household light bulb, ten watt KWCR-FM serves as Weber State's voice to the community. Operating six days a week for an average of twelve hours a day, Weber's own radio station serves a dual purpose. Primarily, it is a laboratory experience for students of broadcasting who wish to learn the fundamentals of operating a radio station. Secondly, it serves an important public service role not only to the college, but to the community as well. Part of the students working for KWCR are enrolled in the broadcasting classes, fulfilling course requirements by taking board shifts, writing copy, reading news, and producing programs. The remainder of the staff works on a volunteer basis for the sheer enjoyment of being involved in radio. There are no financial rewards, but the potential satisfaction to be gained is not found elsewhere. Despite having a staff as large as the Signpost, and reaching a potentially larger audience, the station has been plagued since its creation by a lack of funds. Since KWCR first began broadcasting in 1965, its allotted budget each year has been $500. Each year, new equipment must be purchased, old equipment maintained, facilities updated, and programming provided. Inflation and the rising cost of broadcast equipment has eaten up the budget. A good example is the rise in cost of a cartridge tape player, which cost $695 in 1972, but now costs $1,095. Tape recorders and microphones have also gone up. Accordingly, the station makes do with old equipment that is held together as best as can be done on a limited budget. Enthusiasm runs high with the staff, however, and also with the audience. Music played on the air ranges from hard rock to soft jazz. Each individual announcer selects his own music from the station's music library, and arranges the order in which it is to be played. Most announcers also respond to requests phoned in from the listeners. Heading the staff of more than thirty students is Station Manager Kevin Folkman, who is responsible for the overall operation of the station. He also has the prime responsibility for the kind and amount of programming aired. Music Director is Stephen Paul Peterson, who has had several years of commercial radio experience. Steve listens to all the new records that the station receives, and earmarks those for broadcast use that have the best air play potential. Program Director Jim Yorgasen has also had several years of commercial experience. He is responsible for the keeping and inspection of program and maintenance logs. Dave Pace is the News Director, guiding the station's news operations. News coverage has been enhanced this year by the use of the UPI teletype in the Signpost office. Many other staff members also deserve consideration for the time and effort put into the operation of KWCR-FM. To have so many people involved with no financial rewards offered, indicates that the radio program at Weber State has been highly successful. Upper left: Working with a budget of only 500 dollars, KWCR staff members spent much time discussing possible ways to obtain money. Lower left: Kevin Folkman served as station manager of KWCR. Lower right: Most of KWCR's equipment was old and second-hand, as is typified by this microphone, held to-gether by a bent paper clip. Opposite page, upper left: The KWCR-FM staff went to weekly meetings to discuss problems and plans for the coming broadcasts. Middle left: KWCR staff member, Ron Nicks, kept abreast of current developments in broadcasting. Lower left: Prerecorded programs made up much of the afternoon output.