Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 30, 1993 TAG: 9311300193
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Broadcasting on radio frequency 1610 AM, Laban Johnson and Larry Bly were telling motorists about upcoming events in the Roanoke Valley.
They were demonstrating how low-band radio stations for travelers would work in the Roanoke Valley.
Johnson and Bly, hosts of a cooking show on public television station WBRA, hope to entice travelers on the interstate to stop in the valley. To do that, Johnson said he and Bly believe the valley needs low-band stations.
They would be similar to stations that Richmond and many other cities use to attract visitors, providing information about tourist attractions and upcoming events.
Low-band stations are prohibitted from broadcasting music or commercials.
Besides attracting tourists, the stations also can be used to alert motorists to accidents and emergencies.
The range for low-band stations is about five to seven miles, depending on the location of the transmitting tower and the terrain, he said.
Low-band stations cost about $25,000 each. The Fifth Planning District Commission, as part of an effort to support tourism in the region, wants Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County to contribute $30,000 each so three stations can be acquired.
Wayne Strickland, executive director of the commission, said $90,000 would be enough to buy the stations and get them up and running.
If the localities go for the plan, Strickland said, two stations could be put on I-81 and one on the Blue Ridgeway Parkway.
Under the proposal, the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau would operate the stations and be responsible for preparing and updating the tapes.
Monday's demonstration was conducted by Digital Recorders Inc. of Durham, N.C. - the largest manufacturer of low-band traveler information stations in the world.
Michael Klatt, the company's director of marketing, said it has installed about 400 similar stations in 46 states.
He said his company would handle the paperwork for getting the Federal Communication Commission's approval of the stations.
If the localities go for the proposal, Strickland said, the Virginia Department of Transportation would allow signs to be erected to inform motorists where to tune.
Klatt said the stations could be installed about two weeks after his company receives the order.
The regional planning agency is waiting for a response from the localities on providing the money, Strickland said.
Representatives from several localities attended the demonstration to test the reception on I-81 and I-581.
Digital Recorders provided a solar-powered, portable transmission station for the demonstration.
No decision has been made on the location for the stationary stations.
by CNB