WIXQ (91.7FM), the MSC campus radio station, is one major piece of equipment away from boosting its power from 10 to 100 watts, according to Dr. Ralph Anttonen, faculty advisor.

Anttonen said the campus radio received the FCC construction permit in December and immediately ordered the equipment necessary to handle the power boost. However, one very necessary piece has yet to come in, so the station now is hoping to be 100 watts on the air sometime in March.

Anttonen (Doc Roc) explained what the power increase will mean. "Right now there are some folks living only a few miles away who can't pick us up, yet I know someone in Lititz who can. When we go 100 watts it should give us a solid 10-15 mile radius, and, in pockets, we might be heard as far away as 20 miles.

"It won't mean just more wattage, but much more work as well. Above all, it'll demand that we be a very professional radio station. It'll require more responsibility from all the station members. Also, community ascertainment will now have to be done every year."

Anttonen expressed concern that "students not do anything foolish (on the air)" - the FCC can revoke or suspend a license without notice - and that "the quality of programming maintain a high level."

WIXQ program director Mike Bauer sees the programming as "coming to fruition." Airtime hours have been expanded, and WIXQ will "basically be on the air 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week."

When WIXQ finally does go 100 watts, it will be 1 1/2 years after former station manager Glenda Clippinger began what Anttonen calls "eons of work," including a 150-page document which the FCC required.

Caption: Mike Bauer

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