A Georgia State University alumni group is recommending an alternative plan to keep WRAS 88.5 a student-operated station while at the same time allowing Georgia Public Broadcasting to operate in the Atlanta radio market.
The Album 88 Alumni group proposal, presented to university administrators, recommends using an FM translator that would allow GPB to broadcast on a nearby frequency while the original 88.5 frequency would be retained for the student station.
The proposal comes days before GPB is scheduled to take over daytime programming of WRAS radio. The GPB programming switch has riled students, listeners and WRAS alumni since Georgia State President Mark Becker announced the change May 6.
Georgia State spokesman Don Hale would not speculate on the feasibility of the proposal Wednesday. The university is still working through options and plans to release more information in the next few days, he said. The station format switch, scheduled for Sunday, is still on track at this time, Hale said.
The idea of using a translator is reasonable, but the proposal has limitations, such as the limited availability of a frequency for the translator, said Vic Jester, the chief engineer for Radio One Atlanta.
“The FM dial in Atlanta is pretty full,” Jester said. “Unless they have an agreement with someone who already owns a translator — which may be the case — (the proposal) may not be possible.”
Another limitation would be the strength of a translator station. WRAS currently operates a coveted 100,000-watt signal; translator stations are limited to 250 watts, Jester said.
“It limits the coverage area and would never be what the 100,000-watt station is,” he said. “Inside the Perimeter it could be a decent signal. If you live in Lawrenceville, you’re not likely to hear it.”
The alumni proposal also includes more student internships, and new mentoring and networking programs.
“We believe this proposal gives everybody what they want and need,” Album 88 Alumni President Zach Lancaster said in a statement released Wednesday.
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