Access Sacramento writes a new chapter in local radio history with the issuance of the call sign KUBU-LP for its new 100-watt FM non-profit community radio station planned for midtown Sacramento.
“We’re excited about providing even more opportunities for people to express themselves, and for all the different voices in the community to be heard,” said JoAnn Fuller, Access Sacramento’s chair of the Board of Directors.
Access Sacramento Radio Program Director Shane Carpenter in the home for KUBU-LP.
With the Federal Communications Commission assigning KUBU-LP, Access Sacramento enters the construction and program test phase for its Low-Power FM (LPFM) station and expects to be operating on 96.5 FM later this year in the Fall.
“KUBU took some research, but it was a lucky find,” said Gary Martin, Access Sacramento Executive Director. “It’s rare to find call letters so poignant these days. The call sign seems to fit like a glove. After all, where else in the Sacramento area can community members use a radio station that will let U-B-U?’
Community Radio Producer Raina Lagrette said, “I really appreciate it. This is gonna be sweet. Hearing us in your car, cool!” Currently, Access Sacramento’s radio producers are heard on cable television and the Internet where they create a mix of music, talk, and information programming.
Access Sacramento has been a leader in community media for nearly 30 years from its radio and television studios in the Coloma Community Center at 4623 T Street. The non-profit, non-commercial foundation provides low cost training and production assistance to Sacramento County residents, as well as support and instruction in emerging technologies.
Access Sacramento would use the top of an existing mast in downtown Sacramento for its antenna.
The LPFM authorization will allow the station to reach from midtown Sacramento to approximately Sleep Train Arena in the north and Florin Road in the south, and to Sacramento State in the east and down Interstate 80 past West Sacramento.
Under a primary grant from the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission, Access Sacramento strives to bring awareness and information to the greater Sacramento area through two local public access cable television channels and to the world via streaming audio and video from our website at www.sacramento.org
“I’m dating myself here, but with so many U’s in the call sign, it kind of reminds me of Underdog,” laughs Access Sacramento Radio Program Director Shane Carpenter. “We’ve always been the media underdogs, but soon we’ll be out there with the big dogs.”
The LPFM station follows in the spirit of the many innovative and progressive endeavors Access Sacramento has undertaken over its nearly three decade span. You can get involved by visiting us in person or via our website or by calling us at 916-456-8600 and learning about your community media opportunities.
