WAIF
Encyclopedia
WAIF is a community radio
station based in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
it broadcasts at 88.3 MHz. WAIF reception varies because of the hilly local terrain, but it can be heard over the air within the Cincinnati-area I-275
belt in Southwestern Ohio
, Northern Kentucky
, and Southeastern Indiana
. WAIF also broadcasts over the Internet.
Organizing for the station began in 1973. WAIF went on the air in 1975. Rather than wait for an open frequency, the organizers decided to share the 88.3 MHz frequency with the local vocational school's station, WJVS.
WAIF is managed by a Board of Trustees of between 7 and 11 members, elected to two-year terms at an annual membership meeting in September of each year. The Board of Trustees elects officers and appoints staff and management for the station.
WAIF's motto is "What Radio Is Meant To Be" Originally, the station referred to their organization as "Stepchild Radio", and had close ties to WYSO, the Antioch College station in Yellow Springs.
Over the years WAIF has broadcast the work of more than a thousand volunteer programmers, producers and activists. As of June 2006, local programmers do all programming. Individual programs vary in length, but run between one and three hours, once a week.
Programs fall into three categories:
Program Proposals are welcome. Visit the WAIF website for more information on how to become a programmer on WAIF.WAIF Underwriting, donations, grants and membership fees support WAIF. Programmers all work on a volunteer basis.
Current programming as of June 2006 features music, talk-radio, ethnic-heritage programs and programs that focus on local issues.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station based in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
Overview
WAIF is an all-volunteer community radio station, one of only a handful in the USA. Along with WJVSWJVS
WJVS is a student-run radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio and operated by the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development, and based at the Sharonville, Ohio school....
it broadcasts at 88.3 MHz. WAIF reception varies because of the hilly local terrain, but it can be heard over the air within the Cincinnati-area I-275
Interstate 275 (Ohio)
Interstate 275 is an loop in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky that forms a complete beltway around the Cincinnati, Ohio area. It is the only auxiliary interstate that enters three states, including one state that the parent route does not enter . It is the longest loop interstate highway in the United...
belt in Southwestern Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Northern Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, and Southeastern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. WAIF also broadcasts over the Internet.
Organizing for the station began in 1973. WAIF went on the air in 1975. Rather than wait for an open frequency, the organizers decided to share the 88.3 MHz frequency with the local vocational school's station, WJVS.
WAIF is managed by a Board of Trustees of between 7 and 11 members, elected to two-year terms at an annual membership meeting in September of each year. The Board of Trustees elects officers and appoints staff and management for the station.
WAIF's motto is "What Radio Is Meant To Be" Originally, the station referred to their organization as "Stepchild Radio", and had close ties to WYSO, the Antioch College station in Yellow Springs.
Programming
WJVS broadcasts on the 88.3 frequency during regular school hours. WAIF broadcasts at all other times. As of June 2006, WAIF broadcasts Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 AM and all day on Saturday, Sunday, school holidays and over the summer break.Over the years WAIF has broadcast the work of more than a thousand volunteer programmers, producers and activists. As of June 2006, local programmers do all programming. Individual programs vary in length, but run between one and three hours, once a week.
Programs fall into three categories:
- regular -- once a week, year round
- holiday -- fill in when WJVS students are on holiday
- summer -- once a week, 12 or 13 weeks, over the summer break
Program Proposals are welcome. Visit the WAIF website for more information on how to become a programmer on WAIF.WAIF Underwriting, donations, grants and membership fees support WAIF. Programmers all work on a volunteer basis.
Current programming as of June 2006 features music, talk-radio, ethnic-heritage programs and programs that focus on local issues.
Music programs
- Gospel
- Jazz
- Doo-Wop
- Bluegrass
- Blues
- Surf Music
- Hip-Hop
- Christian Progressive
- Rock
- Local
- Caribbean
- Independent
- Filk
Talk-radio programs
- Current Affairs
- African Perspectives on the News
- African Village Buka
- Labor Unions
- Gay & Lesbian
- Women's Issues
- Racial Issues
- Local Affairs
- The Chris & Rob Late Night Talk Show
Ethnic heritage programs
- German
- Italian
- Greek
- Native American
- Indian & Pakistani
- Africa
- Latin
- Appalachian