Information Radio
P.O. Box 291918
Kettering, OH 45429
937-299-7226
Video Explaining the Reasons for the move
Background
1. In early 2002, we applied for a license for Information Radio in order to
provide emergency and local event communications to the Dayton south communities.
We researched the best frequencies to be used in the area and came up
with 1610 AM. However, we needed to get a waiver from WULM in Springfield
who was operating on 1600 AM.
2. The owners of WULM (Urban Light Ministries) realized two things:
A. That they were primarily interested in covering the Springfield and
Clark County areas.
B. That since WULM is only operating 1,000 watts during the day and
34 watts at night - the service into the greater Dayton area
is marginal at best. In many cases the station can not
be heard at all either because of a high noise level on the AM radio
band in the Dayton area or the fact that it is night and the station
can not be heard at all.
So, why does Information Radio need to move?
1. As mentioned above WULM gave us the wavier to operate on 1610 in the
Kettering & Dayton areas because they knew they could not provide quality
radio service in that area. Now advance to 2007 and a new group wants to
buy the radio station. That group, "Holy Spirit Catholic Communications" is
acting as the front for another Catholic broadcast group known as "Radio
Maria". They want to purchase the Springfield station to not only service
the Springfield area, but also the greater Dayton area as well. We have
been told that "God" has given them the opportunity to service the Dayton
area through this station in Springfield.
2. Since we are operating one channel above 1600 Kc they feel that our
operation would cause interference to their station. Now, clearly that
is a great un-answered question because they brought in an engineer from
Italy who works for Radio Maria to check. He "determined" that we were
causing interference to their operations. However, they never bothered to
contact us to help them conduct the test. It would have been a simple matter
to turn off our transmitter to see if their concerns were valid or not.
3. They are now putting pressure on Urban Light Ministries to have our
operations move to another frequency before they buy the station. Radio
Maria is very concerned about their reputation, as they could request the
same thing from us once they owned the station. Instead they are making
Urban Light act as the bad guy while they (Holy Spirit) still wears the halo.
4. We either have to move voluntarily or be forced to do so.
We have made the decision to move, even though our changing frequencies will
have no effect on the poor reception of the Springfield station. But there
are some things to consider:
A. The Springfield station can only be heard marginally in the Dayton
area perhaps 30 per-cent of the time.
B. Once we move from 1610 Kc. there will be no improvement in the coverage
into the Dayton area from the Springfield station.
C. There are 106,061 Catholics in Clark and Montgomery County, yet in just
the few cities we serve there are 335,797 people.
D. Holy Spirit Catholic Communications wrote to the Cincinnati Arch-Diocese
asking to be recognized. They were recognized as a private association
of the faithful without juridic personality. That means that they are
recognized by the diocese as any other lay group, such as a men's prayer
group, or a rosary alter society. They are not, however, supported by
the diocese, nor do they speak or act on the bishop's behalf. They are
not an agency of the archdiocese.
E. Holy Spirit Catholic Communications is just acting as the front for the
larger Italian Owned Radio Maria. According to Radio
Maria's own website, they are an organization that wants "independence
from the parish and a larger scale in its commitment to evangelization".
So, basically Radio Maria is a group of zelate Catholics operating
outside the local bishops and priests and putting their particular
"spin" on the Catholic Religion. One of the ways they do this is
by purchasing radio stations in the US. They currently own 6 stations
in Louisiana, Texas and Ohio. This acquisition would make number seven.
Ok, so what happens next, and how can I help?
1. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be working with the FCC
and other governmental agencies in order to get the frequency change, along
with signs.
2. We need to re-educate the public that we will be on the new frequency, so
that they will know where to tune in the case of an emergency.
3. We are soliciting your help to help de-fray the cost. While both Urban
Light and Holy Spirit will be benefiting from the sale, they have offered
nothing to help us make the move that makes their sale possible. Therefore
we are asking you for anything you can give. The cost of the move is yet
to be determined, but let us assure you, it is too great for an all volunteer
non-profit organization with very little money in the checkbook.
4. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated. You will be supporting
a truly voluntary organization with service to the local community in mind.
Feel free to call us at:
5. Remember, since we are a 501c3 Chairtable Organization, anything you give
is a tax deduction. If you wish, we can provide you documentation for your
income tax filing.
937-299-7226
Or, you can send a check to:
Emergency Operations Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 291918
Kettering, OH 45429
If you can't support our effort monetarily, send us an email of support by clicking here