Behind the scenes of FM 90

After 34 years, college students continue to run BSU’s radio station

By Caley Jorgensen

Story #7

November 21, 2010

Word Count: 930

   As the song comes to an end and slowly fades out, BSU junior Charlie Falk carefully slides the volume control down from the console, used to control the audio mix and output of the station. He simultaneously turns the volume up on his microphone. He sits precariously on a stool in a small room tucked in a sub-office of Deputy Hall with a spectacular view of Lake Bemidji. The room is warm as the sun beats in. "That was Come Together by The Beatles," he says. "Up next, is Laura by Flogging Molly." Before the song begins, he says, "You’re listening to FM 90.”

  FM 90, or KBSB-FM on 89.7, is licensed to Bemidji State University by the FCC as a non-commercial educational FM radio station. The Federal Communications Commission is the federal agency responsible for issuing licenses, rules, and regulations for radio and TV. KBSB covers a 15-mile radius, but the station can be heard up to 35-miles away.

               



Roger Paskvan, owner of FM 90,
thinks this is a great opportunity
and experiences for students to
get involved in radio. Photo taken
from Roger's Two-Way Radio
Web site.



  FM 90 has a potential audience of 20,000 people. Roger Paskvan, BSU associate professor of broadcast, was hired in 1976 and took the radio station under his wing. “I took advantage of this opportunity because I wanted to make the radio station as close to the real world as we could make it,” he said. “I organized a staff and every position in the radio station is a complement to what’s in the real world and I had students in charge of programming.” Students became involved in station management, announcing music, sales, marketing, and more.

  Paskvan said the station is "an essential part of our broadcast curriculum.” He believes it’s a greater experience than recording into a tape and turning it in just for a grade. Students who are enrolled in the class audio production, taught by Paskvan, are required to be on air for a three-hour shift every week. Falk is a DJ for FM 90 on Thursdays and goes by Andrew Mitchell when he's on air. “I love to entertain people and make them happy,” he said. Even though BSU junior Phil Peterson was enrolled in audio production last year, he still continues to take shifts on FM 90. “I enjoy the amount of individuality I can put into shows,” he said.



The radio station, on second floor of Deputy Hall, looks out
at Lake Bemidji. Photo by Caley Jorgensen.



   According to the Mass Communication Department's Web site, FM 90 is one of the most popular radio stations in the Bemidji area.  Students act as live DJs during their own on-air shifts.  There are also opportunities for students to create their own shows and select their own music.

               

 The antenna and transmitter for FM 90 are on top of Tamarack Hall and is a 100-watt station. Other 100,000-watt radio stations in Bemidji, such as KBHP (101.1 FM) and KKBJ (103.7 FM) are much stronger than FM 90. KBHP and KKBJ cover a 45-mile radius by their FCC licenses, compared to FM 90’s 15-mile radius. Being in an educational institution, the majority of the costs of FM 90 are borne by the university. “We get a budget of about $3,000 a year for maintenance and then whatever money we can get from underwriting,” said Paskvan. Underwriting is a method by which non-commercial stations, such as FM 90, seek financial support from commercial sponsors.

 The Deputy Hall facility was remodeled in 1992. It became digital about five years ago. Even though it has been changed and updated throughout the years, students continue to run the station. Not only is the station for the public, but it gives students an opportunity to experience running a station.

               

 “It’s the real life part of class,” said Paskvan. “We could teach you about the radio in class and then you could close the book and go home, or you could experience the real thing.” Up to 50 students are on KBSB radio or operating KBSU-TV every week. BSU allows individualism, free expression, and provides the outlets in the department through the campus media to allow each student to grow.

               



Students take three hour shifts weekly and control their music
and audio levels from this room. BSU freshman Anna Mae
Tollefson played a Christmas song for her listeners to enjoy.
Photo by Caley Jorgensen.



  “It is the best experience anyone can have in a school environment,” said Eric Nelson, a former DJ of FM 90. There are responsibilities for being on the radio. There cannot be dead air, students have to take it seriously as if it’s their job, and there can be no profanity or swear words. If one were to make a mistake, there could be major consequences. “With the current FCC climate, all it would take is for a student to go on the air and say ‘FU’ a couple times and the Administration would be facing fines in the $40-50,000 range,” Paskvan said.

  FM 90 runs a “Top 40 Hits” radio format, but can be altered into whatever the student DJ wants it to be. They have the opportunity to play any music they want, as long as it’s clean. Some of these shows include formats anywhere from hip-hop to bluegrass to heavy metal. FM 90 will continue to be run by students. In the future, Paskvan is hoping to expand the station and get more students involved, who are not only in the Mass Communication Department.

 Falk's three-hour shift is coming to an end. The room is cooling off as the sun’s rays move away from the window. His last song plays from his playlist and he packs up his backpack. As he leaves the station, the next student DJ comes in to takeover and begins their shift. From 6 a.m. to midnight, students will continue to rotate, making each shift unique and making it their own.