Thanks to technological innovations, setting up and running a radio station has become easy and relatively cheap. You no longer require hundreds of thousands of dollars to get on the airwaves. With as little as $15,000 you can begin broadcasting. Most of the expenses are likely to be incurred during the startup stage.
As a guide, here is a quick overview of the basic costs that you should be prepared to meet:
1. Application Fees
If you are starting a Low Power FM (LPFM) station, you don’t have to incur any cost for application since no fee is charged. All you need is knowledge of frequency allocation and confirmation that there is indeed an available frequency in your area of broadcast. However, it is wise to seek the services of an engineer if you are not well versed with frequency allocations.
2. Studio Expenses
The amount you spend in setting up your studio will depend on the kind of equipment you want to use. Radio broadcasting equipment suppliers will provide advice on the equipment that best fits your needs as well as your budget. If you have a generous budget, you can go for top of the range new equipment which can cost as much as 100,000 dollars. Nevertheless, if you have a shoestring budget, you can still get efficient equipment from the suppliers. Remember that you can obtain used radio studio equipment cheaply. You only need to buy a new Emergency Alert System (EAS) which can cost as little as 3,000 dollars. You can also buy the equipment slowly overtime and launch the studio when everything is ready.
3. Transmission Expenses
Expenses for transmission range from 4,500 to 12,000 dollars. You will need to buy an antenna, transmitter and other accessories. While you can buy used studio equipment, it is harder to obtain second hand transmission equipment. Additionally, there are rules regarding the kind of transmission gear you can use especially in relation to quality. Nonetheless, you don’t have to order the equipment until you are ready for broadcasting.
Final Remarks
You don’t have to let your dreams of starting a radio station gather dust on the shelves. The airwaves are no longer the preserve of rich corporate. Start small, get on-air and may be one day you will a force to reckon with in the industry. Remember that you will have to pay for rent, electricity, internet, and telephone connection. To reduce your recurring expenses, look for volunteers to work in your studio. With luck, you can get donated space for your studio from members of the community you want to broadcast to.
