The Radiator: About

:::about:::

What Is the Radiator?

WOMM-LP “The Radiator” is a newly licensed noncommercial low power FM radio station located in downtown Burlington. The station began broadcasting with 100 watts in the Autumn of 2007 on the frequency of 105.9 FM. The Radiator serves the surrounding community by creating locally oriented programming, filling the void left by regional and national networks whose markets are too broad to permit this social and geographic focus.

The Radiator studio, 215 College Street in Burlington.

Our mission:

'The Radiator' is a nonprofit listener-supported media center generating and transmitting programming that fosters community awareness and civic engagement; encourages and promotes the creative public of the Burlington area; and provides a platform for multigenerational technical education and personal empowerment.

What Is Low Power FM?

The FCC established LPFM as a noncommercial educational service to create opportunities for new voices on the airwaves and to allow local groups to provide programming responsive to local community needs and interests. Back in 1978, the FCC repealed the Class D licenses that once permitted low-power FM stations in the United States. After two decades of pirate radio broadcasts and persistent grass-roots lobbying, FCC chairman (and low-power radio enthusiast) William E. Kennard opened a one-time 30-day application window for licensed 100 watt noncommercial radio stations. Protest from the National Association of Broadcasters has since eliminated nearly all of the remaining LPFM bandwidth in metropolitan areas. The Radiator is the only chance Burlington will be given to develop this opportunity.

Who are we?

(Jim Lockridge, Sean Larock (engineer), Lee Anderson. Photo: Taylor Cook

Lee Anderson, Proprietor, Radio Bean: Lee Anderson is the creator and operator of Radio Bean, a coffee house and performance venue located in downtown Burlington. Over the past five years Anderson has developed Radio Bean into a community-focused cultural institution. Hosting over 800 performances last year alone, Anderson has provided a uniquely inclusive stage for established and emerging local talent. Anderson also manages a local record label and is the cocreator of “The Ramble,” an annual showcase of the diverse artists and businesses in the Old North End. A life-long radio enthusiast, Anderson has been nurturing his vision of this radio station for over ten years. He has extensive professional and personal relationships within the Burlington arts community and invests himself in the cultivation of the arts regardless of personal gain. His loyalty to Burlington's core and peripheral arts has been celebrated by local media; his personality is embedded in the deep creative currents of Burlington.

James Lockridge, Executive Director, The Big Heavy World Foundation, Inc.: James Lockridge founded and directs Big Heavy World, a Burlington-based nonprofit staffed by high school and university-aged students working to preserve and promote Vermont-made music. He administrates the Vermont Music Library and Shop; the Big Heavy World record label; a music community portal at http://www.bigheavyworld.com; and a variety of special and after-school projects. Lockridge has been bringing art and grass-roots organization together since 1996. He has a gold standard reputation for dedication to purpose and the work that makes a vision real.

Lee Anderson & Sean Larock assembling the antenna in 2007.

Where is Burlington?

Burlington, Vermont is our home, and one of our favorite places in the whole world. It's Vermont's biggest city, for what that's worth—there's around 40,000 of us. Burlington has a vibrant arts community and legions of friendly hippies, snowboard manufacturers and craft breweries, rock-ribbed Republican woodchucks and one of the most active Progressive movements in the country. The Radiator's effective broadcast range will be approximately five miles from the antenna site, located on the corner of College Street and South Winooski Avenue. You can ask questions about the city on the City-Data forums and find out more from Vermont.com, the city government, Seven Days, or the Burlington Free Press.

Get involved!

For information about how to help program The Radiator or be a DJ, visit the Programming page.

Our Sister Station:

Our Sister radio station is WOMR-FM - Outermost Community Radio in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

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