
DATE: Sunday, May 4, 1997                   TAG: 9705020182

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 22   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  100 lines

SUMMER BROADCAST SCHOOL GOES HIGH-TECH WFOS NOW ACCEPTING STUDENT APPLICATIONS FOR A CHANCE TO WORK ON INDUSTRY'S NEWEST COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.

This year something new will be added to WFOS's Summer Broadcast School.

Students for the first time will receive hands-on training on top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art automation and radio production equipment.

The station will be receiving a Scott touch-screen automation system, now used by about 10 commercial and non-commercial stations in the area, and a Roland DM800 computer system used by stations nationally for professional radio production work.

``The days of a disc jockey spinning hits of the day and reading news, weather and sports to a listening audience is soon becoming a thing of the past,'' says David L. Desler Jr., WFOS broadcast teacher. ``We need to teach students on the top equipment most stations will have in use, and the Scott system, built in Dallas, Texas, is the thing. ''

Desler said the station's aim is to give the students, ages 14 and older, the skills needed in today's broadcast field. The station, under program director Dennis L. McCurdy, is at 1617 Cedar Road in Chesapeake.

``We want students to understand the full automation systems,'' he said. ``For example, WTAR radio is now being run by one of those Scott systems. Most station program directors will not hire people who do not have computer skills and knowledge of the current state of automation.''

Besides the new Scott system and the Roland DM800 production system, the station will also upgrade its compact disc players and audio cassette recorders. Students will work on this new equipment while keeping the station on the air, beaming music, news and special programs propelled by more than 15,000 watts of power.

In short, the students will learn while on the air.

In addition, they will receive a quick crash course in music history, appreciation and terms, along with instruction on how to properly pronounce musical pieces, genres, and names of composers, conductors and musicians.

The training costs just $35, the fee required by the Federal Communications Commission for a broadcast license at commercial or non-commercial station.

The station broadcasts from early in the morning until about midnight each day sending out news, local interest shows, classical music, big band jazz, nostalgia and educational and issue programs.

Most of the station's engineers, radio personalities, researchers and other staffers are area high school students. They are trained by WFOS and turned loose onto the air to a waiting audience of fans and listeners numbering in the thousands.

``Here at WFOS everything is for real,'' McCurdy said. ``This isn't some campus radio only heard in a few classrooms. We beam out all over Hampton Roads. We're the only high school radio station in South Hampton Roads to offer year-round experience.''

In addition, McCurdy and Desler said that they are looking for students who love computers who would like to work on cataloging the station's vast disc and record library into a database.

``We're looking for computer freaks,'' McCurdy said. ``We're looking for those students who are really into computers, in their most complex form.''

He said the student operators will become familiar with FoxPro for Windows on an IBM 486-DX2 system.

Classes begin June 17 at the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology. The station is located on the side of the center in several trailers and portable classrooms.

All prospective students must fill out a broadcast school application and have a statement of responsibility signed by their school principal. The forms can only be picked up from WFOS when the student comes to tour the studio with a parent or guardian.

``Students are responsible for what they broadcast and the proper operation of the transmitter within the legal limits set by the chief engineer,'' McCurdy said. ``It opens up a whole new world of responsibility for students who are not accustomed to being held responsible for what they do.''

Those attending private or public schools outside Chesapeake are encouraged to contact their counselor before participating in the program. All interested should have good communications skills and be able to read well for broadcasts and announcements.

All students must attend an initial broadcast classroom instruction from June 17-July 3. Students can choose either the morning session from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. or the afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m.

``We want our students to understand the FCC rules and regulations that govern a radio station,'' McCurdy said. ``We want students and parents to know that the FCC rules and regulations must be obeyed and understood.''

After the classroom training, each individual can specialize in whatever aspect of radio broadcasting appeals to him or her, including board operation (announcing), newscasting, traffic, programming or engineering.

``Students on the air will be able to program their own stuff,'' McCurdy said. ``I won't put limitations on them, I want them to each find their own unique radio voice.'' MEMO: For more information about the WFOS-FM 88.7 Summer Broadcast

School or to tour the facility, call the station at 547-1036. Spaces are

very limited. ILLUSTRATION: Photos courtesy of WFOS

ABOVE: Edward Johnson, an Indian River High School senior, announces

the late afternoon classics show on Tuesdays. The valedictorian is

bound for the College of William and Mary.

LEFT: Jolie McGehee, left, and Kristina Raum, both freshmen at Great

Bridge High, are already broadcast veterans. They do the evening

classics together on Tuesdays.