Before you become a full-fledged member of the WHSD team, you will need to be able to demonstrate certain skills that any broadcaster needs. First, you will have to complete a series of assignments designed to teach you as much as possible about the various components of broadcasting. While you are working on these assignments, you will also be able to work on the second aspect of your training—learning how the station works. This will require you to go the station to work with other experienced broadcasters to understand the equipment, the procedures, and the basics on putting out a radio program. After these two steps have been completed, you will need to put together a sample radio show and record it so that your sponsor can listen to it. Next, a one-on-one meeting with your sponsor will be scheduled so the two of you can go over your demo tape. You will then go to the station and demonstrate your knowledge of the equipment so the sponsor will have confidence in your ability to run the station. The final step to becoming a radio-ready WHSD member will be to work as a partner with a more experienced station member for a few hours. All of this will be explained in more detail later in this manual, but it’s important for you to understand right from the beginning that no one will be allowed to waltz into the station, state her desire to go on the air, and start playing songs.

            You see, our station is very different from commercial stations. Lack of quality in a commercial station results in no advertisers or listeners which results in the station going out of business. Our station, in contrast, is funded by the tax dollars of the citizens of District 86; we are not dependent on advertising revenue to stay on the air. This creates a wonderful opportunity for us to experiment and make mistakes in striving to become the best we possibly can, but it also creates a heavy commitment on our part to use that freedom from commercial pressures responsibly. So in addition to your commitment of time, effort, and promptness, we need your commitment to honor the trust that the community is placing in you to make good use of their tax dollars.

            None of this is designed to scare you off—if anything, you should see just what a great opportunity a non-commercial station offers—but to try to get you to see that you must respect the gift that our community has so graciously given to you. Radio is much more than playing a bunch of your favorite songs for your listening friends. Recognize this right from the start, and you will have a great time as a member of the South chapter of WHSD.

            So let’s begin…