Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 18, 2000 WBAA to be heard 'round the world starting March 1WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Using the latest generation of Web technology, WBAA Radio Station at Purdue University will begin Webcasting WBAA-AM 920 and companion station WBAA-FM 101.3 on March 1. By visiting WBAA's World Wide Web site, Internet users will be able to click on buttons to hear the FM or AM station through their computer speakers. "Since faster connections and increasingly sophisticated equipment are making live Webcasts more accessible to Internet users, it's only natural that traditional broadcasters want to take advantage of the new medium in hopes of reaching larger audiences," said Richard O. Forsythe, director of the Division of Instructional Services, which oversees operations at WBAA. WBAA has received numerous requests from Purdue alumni, and former Purdue employees who have moved away, to make its programming available over the Internet. "With Webcasting we'll be able to reach alums all around the country, even internationally," Forsythe said. "A significant gift from Purdue's Class of '42 helped put WBAA-FM on the air. Now they'll be able to 'tune' us in." Dan Skinner, WBAA general manager, said: "Not only will we be reaching out to listeners around the world. Webcasting will finally allow us to reach those listeners around campus who work in basement offices or other structures our signal can't penetrate." Four computers will encode the broadcasting signals for the Internet, producing two audio streams for each station. The first audio stream will run at a high-band width (128K), providing near-compact disc quality sound to listeners on the Purdue campus network and networks at other universities, and to listeners with a digital subscriber line or cable modem. The second audio stream will operate at a lower band width (28.8K) suitable for listeners with dial-up modems. Both the high-band and low-band streams of audio will allow Web listeners to hear WBAA-AM and WBAA-FM in stereo. WBAA-AM cannot be heard in stereo over the radio airwaves. Web listeners will need a Windows Media Player to be able to listen to the audio. This software automatically comes with Windows 98 and can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft home page. A version for Macintosh computers also is available. WBAA-AM, which received a license to broadcast in 1922, is the longest continuously operating radio station in Indiana. WBAA-FM began broadcasting in 1993. The Purdue Board of Trustees this month approved a $1.5 million plan to nearly double the size of the station's studios and offices in the basement of Elliott Hall of Music. WBAA-AM and FM provide Purdue students with opportunities for hands-on training in radio broadcasting. The two stations also provide alternative public radio programming to thousands of listeners in mid-central Indiana and east-central Illinois. WBAA-AM provides listeners with local and regional news, National Public Radio news and programming, public affairs and instructional programs, jazz and eclectic music. WBAA-FM concentrates on classical music and fine arts programming. To receive a complimentary copy of the Program Guide, call (765) 494-5920. CONTACTS: Forsythe, (765) 494-5101, roforsythe@dis.purdue.edu; Skinner, (765) 494-5920, deskinner@wbaa.org
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