Live
Internet SignalION Radio– 1640 AM
Frequently Asked Questions:
Tips for a good
station signal
Map at right shows location of I'On, just east of Charleston, SC. I'On Square, the location of our transmitter, is near the small circle at the South end of the yellow I'On area, which is about 1 mile long. I'On Radio is planned to reach a one mile radius around that circle.
What is ION Radio?
ION Radio (FCC call sign ION) is a community scaled, low power, high fidelity AM radio station planned to transmit at 100mw from the vicinity of I’On Square in the I’On Community, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Its effective range is projected to be about 1 mile from that point, covering all of I’On and most communities within walkable distance with a signal receivable on ordinary car and other AM radios at frequency 1640.
An initiative of I'On BizNet, the non-profit I'On Business Association, its purpose is to provide convenient portable access to current community information, including planned community events, background information and commercial announcements.
How does it work?
The FCC allows low power, community radio stations to use certain high frequency AM bands for these purposes, provided the broadcast power and transmitter comply with government regulations. Other stations like ours in the area can be found at James Island County Park and Folly Beach.
Our transmitter will be an FCC approved Hamilton Rangemaster 1000 operating at 100mw (1/10 of a watt). For comparison WTMA, a long established commercial station in Charleston transmits at 5000 daytime watts. Advances in technology today allow us to obtain very high quality sound on low power AM within our broadcast radius.
Image, Left, Concert by I'Onissimo! Sings, the community Chorus of I'On, May 2005
What will the programming be?
Our station will transmit both live and recorded programming. It will ultimately be possible for us to transmit live during community events in I’On using a radio or telephone link to our transmitter on I’On Square.
Live radio from major community events such as the Markets on the Square, ABC Bicycle Races, Dog Show and Holiday Festival will be possible. A number of different live talk shows, and call in shows, on community issues and topics of interest have been proposed. Check back for more details as they become available.
We will also use a computer to transmit digitally recorded audio files such as What’s Going I’On schedules of community announcements, the Montessori Moment about happenings and ideas from our school, Birding in I’On tips from Craig Richards and general information on life in I’On.
Commercial announcements will be broadcast to help pay the station’s expenses and generate revenue for the I’On BizNet Community activities fund. Since many of our advertising sponsors are also experts in their field, they will also supply some of the initial content in the form of 1 minute recorded Ideas, Tips and Stuff You Should Know from their field of expertise.
When will it go on the Air?
The transmitter will be installed and signal testing will begin in July 2005. A demonstration of the station signal will be broadcast at the July 13th BizNet meeting at the Creek Club. Everyone will be welcome to be present when the station goes on the air at August BizNet meeting. We expect to have the station fully operational by September 1st, including live broadcasts.
What do I need to do to get my material on the Air?
Regular community events already appearing in I’On Biznet’s What’s Going I’On publication will be picked up through the established community event communications channels, including particularly the publicize your event form available on www.ioncommunity.com. Community material will be broadcast for free.
What about Commercials?
Persons wishing to broadcast commercial announcements should contact Steve Kwiatkowski at I’On BizNet. All initial advertising slots have been sold out to BizNet members through the end of September. Click here to see the list of our charter advertising sponsors. Thanks to all for your kind support of this fun and innovative project. We’ll post technical information on file size and resolution shortly.
Image, Right, Concert at Westlake Amphitheater in I'On, March 2005
How can I help?
Please make every effort to see that the community event information posted on www.ioncommunity.com is accurate and up to date. Investigate the resources your community organization has to produce items to broadcast and bring your ideas to us.
We welcome ideas on content and programming for the station. Most content should be short 1 to 3 minute elements and all (except live material) will need to be prepared and provided in a digital audio format. We can’t transmit copyrighted material we don’t have the rights to, which would result in the loss of our broadcast privileges.
Tell your friends. Our station will reach I’On and its neighboring communities. We want to enrich life here and help local business.
Listen in. Speak up. Play it loud.