MSC's campus radio station, WMSR, may broadcast on an FM channel next year.

WMSR has requested permission from the college to apply to the Federal Communications Commission for an FM license. If Dr. Duncan grants permission, WMSR will apply "as quickly as possible," according to station manager Jerry Beck.

The FCC normally takes about 90 days to process license applications, Beck stated. WMSR personnel would like to get the FM equipment installed during the summer if they receive a license, so FM broadcasting could begin early next year.

WMSR currently broadcasts over a low-power AM "carrier current" system that does not reach many students. The station would like to switch to a 10 watt educational FM channel that would reach the entire Millersville community and possibly fringe areas of Lancaster.

Student Senate has allocated WMSR enough funds to cover the costs of installing and operating a mono FM system for the 1975-76 college year.

WMSR commissioned a study of the costs and feasibility of FM broadcasting from Educational FM Associates, a Massachusetts-based consulting-engineering firm. The firm found that several FM frequencies for this area were available.

Dr. Duncan will decide whether the station may file an application for an FM license by the end of the semester, according to Dr. Gary Reighard, vice president for student affairs. Currently, Dr. Reighard and Dr. V.A Champa, director of audiovisual services, are meeting to study the FM proposal.

Audiovisual services had intended to apply for an FM license sometime in the future. Since the college could not receive permission to operate more than one FM station, Dr. Reighard and Dr. Champa intend to work out a plan for the student broadcasters and audiovisual services to jointly operate the station.

"I'm quite optimistic that something will be worked out," Dr. Reighard indicated. "I like the idea (of WMSR going FM). The students have convinced me it would be a better radio station," he added.

WMSR was refused permission to apply for an FM license three years ago. At that time, Dr. Reighard recalled, the station wanted to acquire a 50-watt channel that would have broadcast into Lancaster and surrounding cities. It would have required more engineering and a larger tower than the currently-proposed system.

"The station personnel were moving to new quarters in SMC then, and it was decided that the FM system was too ambitious an undertaking," Dr. Reighard explained.

Caption: Vice president for student affairs, Dr. Gary Reighard, is optimistic that WMSR will broadcast FM in the near future.

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