WHRB Plans Fund Drive To Improve Signal Quality

WHRB is planning an approximately $20,000 fund raising drive to update facilities and extend its broadcast area.

The drive is expected to allow the station to improve its transmitter antenna located atop Holyoke Center and replace aging equipment in the studios, said Nina A. Mendleson '86. WHRB treasurer and administrative board member.

The station is aiming to solicit funds primarily from non-profit organizations. Mendleson said, adding "we don't know how much we're going to get, but we're going to give it a shot."

The improved antenna will allow the station to focus its power and broadcast across greater distances, said WHRB President Stephen H. Shenefield '85. The current antenna, which broadcasts in all directions, sends much of its power into the ground, he added.

The improvements should also end the problem of radio frequency interference, which sends the station's signal into the tape decks, record players, and toaster ovens of students living around the transmitter, Shenefield said.

While most of the equipment in the station is in good condition, the training studio needs some improvements to bring it up to the level of the main studio said Michael I Rosenberg '85, WHRB vice president.

He added that the station is also planning to improve its remote broadcasting facilities New microphones and equipment would improve the station's live broadcast from outside the studio, such as at Sanders Theatre.

Mendleson said that the station normally sells enough advertising time to cover its daily operations without funding from the University. But she added that the station has few reserve funds for major improvements such as these.

The proposal is currently being reviewed by the University and the station's Board of Trustees Mendleson said details about the drive will not be finalized for a few weeks.