Westminster College Campus Radio Station Among National Leaders in Technology

Written by Bobby Fisher, a broadcast communications and public relations major from Moon Township, and Randy Leasure, a public relations major from New Castle.

WWNW-89 FM, Westminster's campus radio station, is now one of only a few colleges in the country to feature a fully automated digital system.

Installation of the automation equipment began last school year and was completed last summer.

"We went to this new computerized automation system because this is what radio is all about these days, said Dr. David Barner, chair of the communication studies, art and theatre department, and head of campus radio station operations. "Only a few college stations in the country have this technology."

Barner said Radio Computing Services (RCS) of White Plains, NY, provided the equipment and software at one-third the cost of most comparable equipment.

"The reason for the reduced cost is that we are acting as a test site for this state-of-the-art equipment and software in order to assure its reliability and effectiveness before RCS offers it to the public," Barner said. "This equipment is actually pre-state-of-the-art. Most of the automated commercial stations don't have equipment this sophisticated."

During last semester's finals week and over Christmas vacation, 89 FM stayed on the air for three straight weeks, 24 hours a day. It was controlled solely by the automation. The station played Christmas music, jingles and public service announcements without human supervision.

The automation has three settings. "Full automation" means the computer will run the station by itself until the disc jockey tells it to stop. "Live assist" means the computer will play songs and stop when it's time for the disc jockey to talk. "Manual" means the computer will stop after every song, giving the disc jockey complete control over playing songs and "jingles," which are station identifiers.

Disc jockeys control the computer using either a mouse or a special keyboard with buttons that correspond to icons on the monitor.

"Computers have replaced the need for an announcer who can read cards and give the weather," Barner said. "More than anything else, I'm excited about this new equipment for its educational value. We can give our students the hands-on experience that will be an absolute necessity when they get out there in the real world"

Ryan Saeler, a junior English major from Chicora and 89 FM disc jockey, knows the benefits of automation.

"When we were using the old equipment, if someone didn't show up to take over after a shift, we were forced to shut down the station," Saeler said. "But, with this new system, we can switch over to full automation and the station can stay on the air without anyone being there."

Saeler admitted he was somewhat intimidated by the new equipment at first, but now he feels comfortable with it. He said he appreciates the voice tracking feature most of all. Voice tracking allows on-air talent to prepare an entire program ahead of time in about 20 minutes.

Saeler said the students at Westminster are fortunate to have such valuable learning tools.

"Students at most other college radio stations don't have a chance to learn an automated system. Without it, they will not be prepared to meet the challenges they will encounter in the job market after graduation," Saeler said.

Senior broadcast communications major Erik Robbins from Warren is 89 FM's production manager. He makes the station's commercials and public service announcements. Robbins said that utilizing the voice-tracking feature makes his job a lot easier.

"I can make sure I say exactly what I want to say when I want to say it, and I can keep changing it until I get it just right," Robbins said. "Unfortunately, this is not an option when I'm live on the air."

Robbins agrees with Barner and Saeler about the importance of learning an automated system.

"The students who do not learn how to use this new equipment while in college will be lost when they get to a commercial station that uses such a system," Robbins said. "This is very good hands on experience which will help prepare us for employment in the real world of radio."

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