The winter has finally ended in Hanover, which signifies that the fall must be upon us. The entire senior class is reunited for one final year of academia; Many juniors have spread themselves across the globe, both for fun and profit. First-year students are busy learning new skills, like how to turn a two-minute conversation into a twenty minute one by using a computer in place of a telephone. Sophomores are busy being thrilled that no one can refer to them as "first-year students" ever again.
Despite these differences, there are a few aspects of every fall term that are universal to students at Dartmouth, irrespective of ethnicity, age, or even maturity level. The air is crisp and our small town is alive with excitement. Freshmen women show everyone flashes of brilliant strategic insight by sneaking into fraternity parties through the devious tactic of using the front door. Patagonia clothing comes out of storage and into the campus' collective wardrobe once again. Also, there is no better time to get involved in Dartmouth broadcasting.
What advantages does being on the radio hold for you? Well, campus fame, unspeakable riches and a new car are all examples of things that you will probably not receive through being on the radio. On the other hand, broadcasting is a perfectly suitable medium for the expression of ideas. Anyone can get on the air and say pretty much whatever he or she wants, aside from seven specific words that have been deemed too offensive by the Federal Communications Commission. I think that the song "Shiny Happy People" should be added to this list. The people at the FCC tell me they're working on it.
Now that your interest in joining the team at the radio station is obviously at an all-time high, allow me to illustrate a few of the "do's" and "don'ts" that I have learned from my experience as an industry insider:
DO pick an interesting theme for your show. Simply because something interests you, though, does not mean that others will hold quite the same fervor for it. The listening public will be turned off by shows with titles such as, for instance, "Ned and Jim Present Two Hours of Unadulterated Entomology," or "A Call To The Bullpen."
DO read the legal guide thoroughly before going on the air. You shouldn't view this as a boring task to complete simply because you have to. Rather, do it for the time-honored reason commonly known as "they force you to."
DO promote your show, because let's face it, most students' idea of a good time does not include spontaneously turning on AM radio. A good strategy might be to find the names of as many people as you possibly can in the DND, and compile a very large blitzlist which you can then use to tell everyone what a fine program you have. This is also a good way to make friends, if you consider messages such as "How the hell did I get on this list?" friendly. Those who don't respond in such a manner may actually tune in!
DON'T expect a good time slot when you start out. As in any field, in broadcasting you must work your way up through the ranks. When I began my amateur radio career, I was on every Friday morning from 8-10 a.m. Now I get to pick my time slot. Not that I get it, but at least I get to suggest it.
DON'T TAKE FM. For the uninformed, two separate radio feeds come out of Robinson Hall. The FM station, 99 Rock, is for profit (i.e. not too much fun), and some of its disc jockeys even get paid. The AM station, 1340 WDCR, Hanover, is a student-run outfit that would never dream of paying its DJ's. Often, the two stations have to simulcast, or broadcast the same feed. Simulcasting can be accomplished from either studio; however, simulcasting from the AM controls at your own discretion may not be the best idea. There are two buttons, one labeled "take" and the other "FM" on the AM control board. Don't push them both at once, or you'll actually "take FM!" They make FM very easy to take, but very hard to give back.
I think the last "don't" may just be the most important of the tips. Let's just say that taking Fm is one surefire way to hear all seven obscene words in the same sentence being yelled in your direction by a disgruntled local FM DJ.
With these pointers, you should be prepared to head over to Robinson Hall and apply for your shift. If being on the radio is not in your future, tune into WDCR and support your classmates. if you don't, I may just have to come to your room personally and play "Shiny Happy People," on repeat.
