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KSRQ radio began broadcasting in 1972 with student DJs and a signal that barely covered the Thief River Falls city limits. But the volunteer and student staffed radio station, now known as Pioneer 90.1, will begin a pioneering new era when it becomes one of the few stations in northwest Minnesota to broadcast with a digital signal.
Thanks to a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Pioneer 90.1 will install a new transmitter and begin converting to digital broadcasting within the next few months.
Listeners will not need a converter box. Unlike television’s switch to digital, radio broadcasters are able to maintain their analog broadcasts in addition to new digital ones.
All FM radios will still be able to pick up Pioneer 90.1, but station manager Mark Johnson said listeners with a digital radio (called an HD Radio) will receive two big benefits from the technology. The first is increased sound quality compared to analog. But the more compelling benefit, according to Johnson, is HD Radio’s ability to broadcast several channels of audio on KSRQ’s existing frequency.
“When the digital receiver is tuned to 90.1, the analog signal is heard first. Then the receiver locks in to the digital signal, and switches from analog to digital. After that happens, a listener can hit the radio’s ‘select’ button to switch over to the HD-2 and HD-3 channels,” Johnson said.
Station staff and volunteers have begun to talk about programming changes for Pioneer 90.1’s main signal and for the two additional channels. Public input will be gathered at a meeting to be held on Thursday, September 24, 7:00 p.m., at the station’s studios located at Northland Community & Technical College - Thief River Falls campus. Suggestions can also be e-mailed to KSRQ@northlandcollege.edu.
Johnson expects Pioneer 90.1 to have its digital signal on the air by mid-winter. The station will be a component of Northland College’s New Media program, which will launch next fall. The curriculum will focus on webcasting, podcasting, and online social networking for business.
Pioneer 90.1 is the only broadcast radio station licensed to a 2-year college in Minnesota. For more information, contact Mark Johnson at 218-683-8587 or email mark.johnson@northlandcollege.edu.
Northland Community and Technical College is a comprehensive college with campuses in East Grand Forks, Minn., and Thief River Falls, Minn. One- and two-year degrees, transfer programs and diploma certification are available in a variety of majors, as well as workforce training and continuing education programs. NCTC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Visit the College at www.northlandcollege.edu. NCTC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
