by Marlys Hersey, Editor

When Tom Michael moved to the Big Bend a few years ago from Chicago, he was surprised to find so few radio stations on the airwaves – and nothing resembling public radio.

When he asked around about this, a friend quipped, “People have $1500 radios on their desks.” Which is to say that many of us in the region have only one means to listen to any radio (much less public radio): the Internet. Now that’s about to change.

Starting in January 2006, Marfa Public Radio, KTRS (93.5 FM) will be on the air, 24 hours a day, with Tom Michael as Station Manager.

The station itself will be located on Highland Street in downtown Marfa, and will be equipped with new, state-of-the-art technology. And, added Michael, the studio will have a window directly to the street – “like ‘Northern Exposure!’”

The tower and antenna, to be located in the Davis Mountains, will use a 100,000-watt signal, thereby transmitting to a large portion of Far West Texas. KRTS’ promises service to Alpine, Balmorhea, Fort Davis, Fort Stockton, Marathon, Marfa, Valentine, and Van Horn. “Outside of those towns,” said Michael, “we’ll have decreased coverage, but there is a possibility the station can be heard – and often radio is better heard in the car.”

Yet one engineer involved in the project who has mapped the signal suggests that listeners as far away as Sierra Blanca, Monahans, Panther Junction (in Big Bend National Park), and Ojinaga, Mx may be able to tune in as well.

Michael plans to carry “the best of public broadcasting – with a weekly potpourri of some of the better audio documentaries.” Some national programs the station aims to broadcast are: BBC, Morning Edition (and Weekend Edition), All Things Considered, Latino USA, Marketplace, The World, Democracy Now, A Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk This American Life, Fresh Air.

Equally important are locally-programmed shows. “We will have some creative local shows.” Michael is insistent about the necessity of consistently high caliber programming, whether it’s local or national. With 15 years’ of journalism and radio experience, Michael knows that good training is essential. “There’s a whole system to fall back on,” he noted. “There’s tons of sharing and giving amongst public radio stations.”

Michael also hopes that KRTS will be a driving force in establishing better means of weather forecasting for the area. The station will also focus on state news.

Public radio in the Big Bend has been a long time coming. Michael was quick to note that there have been a lot of persons in the community who have contributed to the effort.

When in 2003, Kay Burnett (Alpine-based publisher of the Desert Candle) made the project a priority of the Desert Mountain Institute, the idea gathered steam. The DMI hired Tom Livingston, former board member at NPR, as a consultant, to survey the “viability of public radio in the area.”

After a “fierce bidding” war for the construction permit at an FCC auction (Nov-Dec 2004), in which bidding for the permit started at just $2,500, Matinee Media won the bid, at $287,000.

Though initially the corporation initially planned to use the license commercially, Burnett persisted. “Kay reached out to us after the bidding,” said Katy Hackerman, current president of the station’s board of directors, and a partner in Matinee Media. Burnett “was instrumental” says Hackerman, in convincing the partners to help bring public radio to the area. At that point, says Michael, “all the public radio efforts out here combined forces.”

Hackerman confirmed that the license is being converted for use by a non-profit. “Because Marfa is the next Santa Fe,” mused Hackerman, the need for such a service is increasing exponentially. “We’re there to provide this service to West Texas.”

As a 501c (3), a non-profit organization, KTRS seeks funding from grants and donations. “Tom Livingston also advised us to write the PTFP grant (Public Telecommunications Facilities Program) federal grant in Feb 2005,” wrote Michael in an email. “That will help us to pay some 75% of the cost of constructing the tower & antenna, as well as the radio station studios. This grant is a key part of our success…. And this is just to launch the station - it doesn’t cover year-to-year operating expenses.”

Just before press time, KRTS received confirmation of grant monies from PTFP – to the tune of $432,000. As Hackerman noted, “We have to match remaining $150,000, or 25%.”

And if you listen to public radio, you know the refrain that comes next. KRTS is supported by listeners like you. “Yearly, ongoing expenses are almost entirely raised within the community itself,” reminds Michael. “We do this with on-air pledge drives and encourage people to join. We truly are locally funded and encourage all our listeners to join. That’s the only way it works.” Already, those involved with the station are in full throttle to garner new members, to raise the remainder of the funding to build the tower in late fall.

The president of the board is Katy Hackerman of Austin. Other members are Kay Burnett (Alpine publisher of the Desert Candle), Stewart Vanderwilt (General Manager of KUT–Austin), Evan Smith (Editor of Texas Monthly), Russ Peterman (Superintendent of McDonald Observatory), Vic Morgan (President of Sul Ross State University), Joe Duran (rancher in Marathon), Francesca Esmay (conservator at Chinati Foundation), and Steve Bickerstaff (adjunct professor at UT Law – moving to Ft Davis).

Says Hackerman, “We have a website, a board, distribution lists, 60% of our programming locked down as far NPR. We have a targeted launch of January 06. Tom is great as manager…. We’re just really glad we’re able to do this…. And we’re always looking for volunteers and members.”

October 7 – 8, KRTS will host an open house party at the new studio in Marfa; go the Events Calendar on this website for more information.

If you are interested in local programming, contact station manager Tom Michael: tom@marfapublicradio.org. Also check their website for information on becoming a member.