WAMC Northeast Public Radio is pleased to announce the start of expanded service to listeners in the Oneonta area on 99.3 FM. Through an agreement with Hartwick College and the cooperation of listeners in the Oneonta area, this new transmitter substantially boosts the power and coverage of the WAMC signal in the area. The existing WAMC service to Oneonta on 88.9 FM will continue alongside the new 99.3 FM signal. WAMC recently acquired the signal on 99.3 FM as part of a signal improvement project that is taking place in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Southern Catskills.

According to WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock, “We have heard from listeners in Oneonta for several years that they wanted a stronger signal. When the opportunity arose to acquire a new signal some 250 times stronger than our existing single watt station, we jumped at it. We know that area listeners will help us to defray the substantial investment we have made in improving our service in the area.”

A well attended meeting describing the project was held in Oneonta on March 15. Area listeners asked questions and gave support to the project which has cost approximately $80,000. Funds are still being collected to assist in covering the costs of the project. To make a contribution to this project, contact Jane Palmer at WAMC, 318 Central Ave., Albany NY 12206 or 1-800-323-9262 extension 133.

WAMC is also pleased to announce the start of improved signal coverage for listeners in portions of southern Orange County on 107.1 FM. The existing service from WOSR-FM, 91.7 FM, Middletown has now been augmented by the addition of a new signal from Warwick, New York on 107.1 FM. The Federal Communications Commission recently approved the transfer of the ownership of this new translator station which has now been constructed and placed on the air. WAMC has taken this action as part of a signal improvement project that is taking place in the Southern Catskills, Hudson Valley and Capital Region.

According to WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock, “The opportunity to improve service by providing a stronger signal to more of Orange County and adjacent areas of New Jersey recently became available so we jumped at it. Historically these areas have been shadowed by terrain that makes reception of 91.7 FM sometimes difficult. This change will make it easier for a large number of listeners in these areas better able to hear our programming on 107.1 FM.”

WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day with information and cultural programming from stations reaching parts of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming. WAMC is also a member station of National Public Radio and is affiliated with Public Radio International and American Public Media.

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Dear treasured listeners,

As you may have heard, I'm leaving WAMC at the end of March to take a job in public television, at WMHT in Albany. It's hard to say goodbye and I'm not all that comfortable with change, which makes this the most difficult decision I've ever had to make.

Just saying "I love WAMC" doesn't adequately describe what the people here mean to me. This wonderful crew – Alan Chartock, Jeanne Hunter, Alan Miller, David Guistina, Paul Elisha, Joe Donahue, Ray and Nicole Graf, Selma Kaplan, David Galletly, Sharon Lescak, Pat Cooney, Jimmy, and of course Brian Shields – saw me grow up. When I first arrived, I was a 29 year-old, cigarette-smoking rookie, at the beginning of a long learning curve. I was in the middle of a bad relationship with a lousy boyfriend. I had come from commercial radio. There's no other description for it: I was adrift. But when I finally got my feet wet here, I knew I had found my true home.

Alan and I have had an incredible working relationship. Alan is my hero. He has taught me everything I know about success. He allowed me to learn "on the air"; he supported me when my voice disappeared; frankly, he's been my greatest supporter. Who else would have let me try my hand at a show for young people (Radioland) and then let me quit when I got bored?! Then....who else would have let me try AGAIN with the Roundtable Show?! The faith he's shown in me has been nothing short of spectacular.

As you may have suspected from all the on-air giggling, Joe Donahue and Jennifer Nathan,are not only my colleagues -- they are my closest friends: people who I see outside of work, who know all my secrets (and yes, I know theirs) There is no doubt we will all remain friends. Which I hope to do with you too.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected the kind of send-off that I'm receiving from you. The overwhelming number of cards, letters, e-mails and phone calls has simply blown me away. All I can say is, you're the best audience in the world, and you've made my mascara run with tears about 100 times over the past few weeks.

Before I sign off, I also want to say something about the funddrive. That I won't be able to kibbitz about the Cult of the Thigh with Selma is almost more than I can bear. That I won't be shmoozing with volunteers like Ceil, Sandy, Jeanne, Ann, Marjorie, Henry, Ray, Ralph, Susan, Reszin, Nick and Karen, Anna, Mary, Andrew, Roberta, feels like someone has removed my left arm. Remember cow-in-a-bottle? Remember when Selma attended the Oscars with Brad Pitt? Remember when Alan said he was bisexual but meant heterosexual? Remember when Joe told the joke about the Tab and Apple choir? Remember when Alan ate the bad piece of fish?

This is so difficult.

But this is something I have to do. Have you ever seen one of those sappy Hollywood films that urge the hero to "Just try! If you don't try you'll always think... 'what if'?" This is my time to see what could be.

For those of you who live in New York State, you will be able to watch me on WMHT and every public television station in the state including WNET in New York. For those of you in Vermont, Massachusetts & Connecticut, I'm afraid this is goodbye. To say I'll miss you doesn't touch the avalanche of emotion I feel for so many of you.

You have been a part of the best years of my life. I met my husband Bill on-the-air and you were there. I got married and you were there. I had root canal and you were there. I grew up. You were there.

You know what? You'll always be with me, no matter where I go.

Love,

Susan Arbetter

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WAMC/Northeast Public Radio finished its February fund drive on Friday, February 9, having raised a total of $724,119 from 5,394 callers. The goal was $700,000.

“Never have we felt so appreciated and so much love from our wonderful WAMC listeners,” said Alan Chartock, WAMC’s President. “When the history of this fund drive is written, we will read that we raised more money in a faster time than ever before.”

The on-air fund drive began early on Monday, February 5, 2007 and ended in just over 4 days at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Friday, February 9,2007.

In addition to all those who called in pledges of support, the on-air drive brought together hundreds of wonderful volunteers from all over the WAMC listening area who contributed their time at the station’s Albany studios, and hundreds of regional businesses and organizations that donated items, services and food to the drive. The WAMC’s fund drive could not have been possible without the combined efforts of all the contributing sponsors and supporters.

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(ALBANY, N.Y., April 5, 2006) The Radio-Television News Directors Association, based in Washington, D.C., has announced that WAMC Northeast Public Radio is a regional winner of the prestigious 2006 Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in electronic journalism.

WAMC's Northeast Report, anchored by Senior Correspondent Brian Shields and airing weekdays at 3:30 and 6 p.m., was cited as Best Newscast. WAMC competes in a regional category comprising all "small market" radio stations in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The association divides the competition into large markets, such as New York City and Philadelphia, and others such as Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, and Harrisburg, Pa.

WAMC's 14-station regional network serves an estimated monthly audience of more than a third of a million in portions of seven states.

Regional winners, including WAMC, are eligible for the national awards competition, to be judged in early June. The national Edward R. Murrow Awards will be presented Oct. 16 at a dinner in New York City.

Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, said: "This award is very gratifying. WAMC's members have supported the station in record amounts and their commitment is paying off. This is really their award."

"This much sought-after award is a wonderful tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the WAMC News team," said Vice-President of News and Cultural Affairs Clarence Fanto. "All of our news anchors, bureau chiefs, correspondents and producers have much to be proud of. At a time when most news operations are being downsized with dwindling budgets, it is a privilege to be associated with forward-thinking management that has committed increasing resources to expanding and improving WAMC's already formidable news division."

Brian Shields, a 16-year veteran of WAMC News, anchored the local portion of NPR's "Morning Edition" for 10 years. He currently anchors "Midday Magazine" in addition to the two daily Northeast Reports and other newscasts during local segments of "All Things Considered." Shields has been a broadcast journalist for 28 years, having worked previously at Albany area stations WGY, WQBK and WGNA. He is a graduate of Empire State College and attended Syracuse University,.

Shields cites legendary NBC Nightly News anchors Chet Huntley and David Brinkley as his role models. He lives in Delmar, N.Y., with his wife, Marjorie, and his beloved cat, Buddy.

Producer of the WAMC Northeast Report and other local news programming at the station is Katie Britton, who has been with WAMC for three years.

WAMC News originates more than three hours a day of live, local news programming, not including the daily news and information program "The Roundtable," airing weekdays from 9 to noon.

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Albany, NY- December 9, 2004   -   Radio broadcasting has taken a giant leap into the 21st century. WAMC Northeast Public Radio has begun HD (for High Definition) Radio digital broadcasts from stations WAMC-FM, 90.3, Albany, WOSR(FM), 91.7, Middletown and WANC(FM), 103.9, Ticonderoga NY. These three are the first FM stations in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and North Country to adopt the new technology.

The noise and interference that cause the static, hiss, pops and fades heard on today's analog radios is virtually eliminated with HD Radio digital broadcasting. In addition to crystal clear reception, HD Radio technology will dramatically enhance sound fidelity - AM will have the clarity of FM, and FM will have the clarity of compact discs. Equally impressive to the digital sound quality is that HD Radio technology allows for new wireless data services to be delivered from AM and FM radio stations. Pending Federal approval, this technology will also make possible additional programming on the same FM channel.

According to Alan Chartock, President & CEO of WAMC, "We're proud and excited to be in the forefront of bringing this new technology to our listeners. It will allow us to provide even better service and a stronger commitment to listeners - not to mention significantly improved sound."

After 80 years of analog transmissions, radio is poised for its digital migration to HD Radio technology. Soon, home audio receivers and after market auto receivers will be widely available to consumers through consumer electronics retailers. Some auto receivers are now sold as HD Radio ready.

Conversion of WAMC-FM and WOSR(FM) to HD Radio was made possible by grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which is assisting public radio stations across the country to use this new technology. The Albany and Middletown stations commenced broadcasts in HD in the past week. WANC(FM), Ticonderoga was equipped with HD Radio during the Spring under a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). WAMC Northeast Public Radio is pursuing additional grants to fund the "phase two" conversion of its remaining FM and AM stations in eastern New York and Western New England.

HD Radio technology was developed by iBiquity Digital and approved in October 2002 by the Federal Communications Commission. HD Radio allows AM/FM broadcasters to seamlessly transmit digital quality audio alongside today's analog-based broadcasts. Little or no change in listener behavior will be required since all local radio station dial positions will remain the same. Listeners will simply tune to their favorite programs and stations and receive them in either a digital or analog format depending on their radio. Because stations will begin digital broadcasting using a "hybrid mode," transmitting digital and analog signals simultaneously, listeners with analog receivers will still be able to pick up the broadcast and will be able to seamlessly upgrade to digital at their own pace.

WAMC Northeast Public Radio transmits over the following stations: WAMC 90.3 FM, Albany*; WAMC 1400 AM, Albany, WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR 91.7 FM, Middletown*; WCEL 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga*; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; 93.1 FM, Troy; 88.9 FM, Oneonta; 107.7 FM, Newburgh, NY; and 91.9 Southington, CT. It can be heard on-line at www.wamc.org. (* now in HD Radio)

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I don't know any other way to say this than that the upcoming fund drive will be a test for all of us. When I say "all of us" I am speaking of the whole WAMC extended community. You hear the voices of the people on Vox Pop, on the morning poll question and on our listener comment line. It's astounding that we've all come this far but now it is all threatened. If we can't raise the money, we go under. That simple. That quick. Just think about how you depend on this station. It's there for you day and night, 24/7. No matter how you are feeling or what you are doing, WAMC is there for you. If your knees are weak, WAMC is there for you. If you're hurting, WAMC is there for you. We keep putting everything we have back into the operation. There are those who will tell you that we have grown too big but it simply isn't true. WAMC is as fragile today as it was the moment we, together, gave birth to the station.

Arbitron tells us that we have made huge gains. More people are listening than ever before. We are extending our reach to places we never thought possible. We are exploring ways to make our system even stronger than it is now. We are paying our people a living wage. And it sure doesn't stop there. Just think of what has happened to your electric bills. Radio stations run on electricity. We are turning our pockets inside out to find the money. That's just one humongous example of what we are facing. Yet, if everyone were just to do their part, no matter how big or small, we would have that one day fund drive we all dream about.

We need to raise $800,000 to keep going. Considering the fact that we have more listeners than ever, that shouldn't be the end of the world and yet, it could be. It takes a while for the people who have just started listening to kick in. One bad fund drive - that's right, one fund drive where we don't make it - and the whole station goes down. Put another way, if 800 people each just gave a thousand dollars to hear this precious station, it would send a signal that we are whole. Let that group be named the 800 Club. But it is up to the little people who can't give a thousand to do what they can. Each according to their ability to pay.

I am asking each person who is a part of this community to do everything in your power to convince your friends and neighbors that this precious resource can't be allowed to fail. I don't have to tell you what happens when we take anything for granted. Virtually every type of voice is heard on this station. Liberals, conservatives, and every type of political philosophy is heard. Are there people who would like to see it fail? You bet there are. Rupert Murdoch has assembled a huge conglomerate that is threatening to take over all the media. If we let him get away with that, we are stupid. We know what he stands for. A few people own most of the country's radio stations. WAMC continues to grow because it dares to speak truth to power and doesn't even think about condescending to anyone. So, deputize yourself and get ready to do battle as you never have before. Don't take what we have all built for granted. Be there on October 1st when it all starts. I keep saying that we are a fragile experiment. We are. So is the United States Constitution and you see what is happening to it.

I will see you all on Day One of the fund drive and let us all remember that have to do what we can to keep WAMC alive and well.

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Special Thanks to our June 2007 Fund Drive Drawing Sponsors:

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Special Thanks to Our June 2007 Restaurant Giveaway Sponsors:

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Special Thanks to Our June 2007 Fund Drive Giveaway Sponsors:

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Special Thanks to Our June 2007 Fund Drive Food Sponsors:

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September 2007 Programming Notes by David Galletly

Hard as it is to believe, September has arrived and with it some of the most special programming of the year. However, a late breaking item needs to come first. Our Labor Day weekend gets off with a Latin sound as we are able to announce live coverage from the Tanglewood Jazz Festival. Friday, August 31 we are pleased to present Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band and the legendary Hugh Masekela. Join us starting at 8 PM for this great concert.

Labor Day, Monday, September 3 is a day to stay tuned to Northeast Public Radio as we bring you some truly wonderful listening. Starting out at 9 AM we present “The Two Sides of Sgt. Pepper: An Honest Appraisal.” This two hour special celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles ground breaking album. Musicians, writers and fans speak their minds on the effects of the landmark release in the summer of 1967.

Our own Paul Elisha is up next at 11 AM with a special Performance Place. Paul will give us some Americana for this end of summer holiday.

At Noon its “Waylon Jennings and the Waymore Blues Band: Never Say Die.” This hour long documentary pays tribute to American legend Waylon Jennings and the story behind his final concert in Nashville. The speical features many musical highlights of that historic night.

In place of our regular “Medical Monday” at 2 PM Alan Chartock interviews Paul Sorum, an advocate of changes in our national healthcare system.

“Live at the Linda” on Wednesday evenings this month be sure to tune in for Susan Werner on September 5th, the monthly Dancing on the Air on the 12th , Gandalf Murphy and the Slambonian Circus of Dreams on the 19th and John Pizzarelli on the 26th. All “Live at the Linda” concerts air Wednesday evenings at 8 PM. Better yet get to a future performance. Check the schedule at thelinda.org.

Until Next Month,

Good Listening!

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Other Resources:
WAMC Commentators
Alan Chartock
NPR
BBC
Marketplace
PRI