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Public radio happens because you make it happen ! |
KSDP takes a look - at times a humorous one - at some of the most frequently asked questions about Sand Point public radio. What's the deal with streaming radio ? Streaming, also known as webcasting, allows a web visitor to listen to the on-air signal of their favorite radio station on-line. For KSDP, this will enable people outside of our broadcast area, including former area residents, to tune in and listen to the station. KSDP streaming will be done through the Windows Media Player program.
As of now, we simply can not predict when we will be able to start webcasting. Technology is constantly changing and we hope newer technology will make webcasting more realistic. The constant problem facing a project like this is all about bandwidth. Bandwidth is equivalent to a pipe that allows the internet in and out of a place - the more bandwidth (the bigger the pipe), the faster the internet access. Multiple constant streams of audio take up a good amount of bandwidth and, to avoid angry Sand Point web users marching on the station with pitchforks and torches, we are searching out the best way to make a high quality signal available to outside users without local internet service grinding to a halt. Why is the reception poor in some places around town ? Reception in Sand Point should be crystal-clear. If you are having problems receiving the station, check the AM antenna on your radio. Outlying communities may have reception issues based on weather, time of day and other geographic factors that impact AM radio waves. The station has recently installed a new, top-of-the-line Harris DAX 1,000 watt transmitter , a new digital studio transmitter link and has upgraded its grounding system. These improvements, coupled with the upgrades made at our studio in recent years, have KSDP broadcasting one of the cleanest AM signals you will ever hear. As for the quality of the content, there is very little that we can do about that.
KSDP is located in the Sand Point City Hall on the lower level. Our office is open during regular business hours and visitors are always welcome. KSDP maintains a transmitter facility behind the Sand Point School. For safety reasons, this site is private property and trespassing is prohibited. Access to the site may be gained by visiting the KSDP office in City Hall.
That's the beautiful thing - you can do it all in just one step ! Visit the Community Window page here, fill out the form and submit it to KSDP. Our staff will review it, post it on-line and add it to the on-air Window within 24 hours. It could not be easier !
Call 907.383.KSDP (5737) in Sand Point. Elsewhere in Alaska, toll-free at 888.260.KSDP (5737).
KSDP is an AM station based on the many positive attributes of AM radio. First and foremost is service range. The 1,000 watt AM signal allows KSDP to cover a much greater territory than could be covered with a comparable FM signal. AM radio waves also tend to better navigate the water and mountainous terrain that is found throughout our region, again adding to our coverage area. AM radio allows us to cover a much greater portion of the local fishing grounds as well - allowing us to help keep our fishermen safe. In addition, at night, AM radio travels amazing distances - KSDP receives several e-mails a month from listeners in Norway, Sweden, Canada and the lower 48 letting us know that they were able to pick up our signal. While conventional FM radio does provide for a better quality audio signal, HD radio promises to provide CD-quality AM radio to our listeners in Southwest Alaska.
HD Radio is like HDTV in that it provides a much higher-quality signal while utilizing a good deal less broadcast spectrum. Converting to HD Radio, while also improving signal, frees up spectrum for additional radio stations and more cell phone service. HD Radio also allows for multi-casting on the FM band and data streaming. Multi-casting allows a station to broadcast two or more distinct signals on the same broadcast frequency and data streaming lets a station transmit data to your radio. How ? We have no idea...but smart folks tell us that it works. HD Radio is preparing to be deployed in Sand Point and to any community that we serve. HD Radio will not, repeat, WILL NOT, replace the current analog signal. The two signals will broadcast, side-by-side, for the forseeable future. KSDP will make information available on where to purchase an HD Radio receiver once the signal becomes available. Listeners to KSDP's repeater service - K201DA in King Cove - will not immediately be able to access KSDP-HD. If and when the repeater equipment is upgraded, KSDP-HD will then be available in King Cove.
Sure. They can have HD Radio too. We got no problem with that.
Serve the station through voluntering, on-air broadcasting, serving on our Community Advisory Board or standing for election to the APBI Board of Directors. KSDP is community radio and is at its best when the people we serve take an active role in the station. Support the station by maintaining an active membership with KSDP. Your financial support goes a long way to ensuring the continued growth of public radio in our region. As we make the case every year for funding from state and federal sources, a strong membership base plays a key role in securing additional grant funding. Share with and about KSDP. If you know of something going on in one of our communities that would be of interest to others, let KSDP know about it ! If it matters to you, it matters to KSDP. Also, help us spread the word - encourage your friends, family and neighbors to tune in to KSDP as a source for news, weather and entertainment. KSDP connects Southwest Alaska !
KSDP is a public, non-commercial radio station. Simply put, the station exists as a public service, not to turn a profit. We don't air commercials. We don't interrupt programming every ten minutes with a commercial for some company telling you to go buy something. That is why we need you, our listeners, to become a part of public radio through your financial support. Your involvement and support through pledging helps KSDP make the case for increased funding and shows funding organizations that public radio is supported locally here in Southwest Alaska. We do our best to keep fundraising to a minimum - we understand that fund drives can be annoying and that uninterrupted music and news programming is what you want. We have annual membership goals and we work to meet those in whatever way possible. If we can meet our goal with one annual membership drive, GREAT ! If it takes two, ok. If it takes three, so be it. If we have to go door-to-door Halloween-style, we can. Your financial support ensures that KSDP continues to be a source of quality news, weather and entertainment programming for our region while employing the latest technology to improve our service to you, our faithful listeners.
KSDP has been working over the past four years on a long-range plan to improve its programming variety. In 2004, KSDP introduced three main musical formats to compliment its regular news programming line-up; the formats, Adult Contemporary (AC), Country and Current Hot Rock (CHR), have been programmed throughout the day and overnight hours. In 2005, KSDP completed installation of a new public radio satellite system and added several new news/talk programs to the daily schedule. The KSDP program schedule is contantly being evaluated to ensure that the station is meeting the needs of our listeners. Schedule modifications occur twice a year. Why does KSDP play so much music and entertainment programming ? Over the last three years, KSDP has worked to add more music and entertainment programming to our program schedule. In that effort, we have also gone to great lengths to ensure that the news and talk programming on KSDP is of the highest quality available. It is our goal to provide a balance of all aspects of programming - news, music, weather and entertainment - to our listeners. |
The KSDP Tsunami Information page provides information regarding tsunami activity, preparedness and response. Stay informed, stay safe ! |
830 AM KSDP © 2006 - Aleutian Peninsula Broadcasting, Inc. - Sand Point, Alaska |
