BRINGING LOW-POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
HOW LUMPEN RADIO MADE CHICAGO’S AIRWAVES
by Logan Bay
I am Logan Bay — the first full-time employee of Public Media Institute and the first Lumpen Radio station director of. The following timeline focuses on some of the collective milestones, existential dread and tiny victories we experienced while building what became 105.5 WLPN-LP, Lumpen Radio…
— 2013 —
The Federal Communications Commission opened an application window for hundreds of Low Power FM Radio frequencies (LPFM) across the United States. Public Media Institute is one of almost 2,800 nonprofits applicants.
— 2014 —
Early December…
The FCC grans Public Media Institute a permit to build Chicago’s newest LPFM radio station.
December 20th…
The first full time staff member is hired by PMI with launching a FM radio station being a major component of the role.
— 2015 —
March 21st…
Our station is named Lumpen Radio and we launch our first website goes featuring an initial programming list, pilot shows, and a call for submissions.
April 5th…
Our first streaming radio setup, now dubbed “Studio A” is built inside the main gallery space at Co-Prosperity.
April 23rd..
WLPN-LP 105.5 FM (Lumpen Radio) is formally announced at VERSION FESTIVAL 15.
July 2nd…
The Lumpen Radio app launches for iOS devices.
September 2nd…
The plans for “Studio B” are finalized.
September 27th…
Main Studio B structure construction completed.
November 11th…
Lumpen Radio signs a lease for our tower location.
December 7th…
Studio B’s broadcast-quality FM gear and custom ADA-accesible mixing desk begin installation.
— 2016 —
January 10th…
All studio gear is installed and interiors are finished. Lumpen Radio DJs and hosts begin to train on professional equipment.
March 3rd…
LumpenRadio begins archiving on Mixcloud.
March 26th…
Our first live transmission is made from “Studio Y” — a remote radio studio established at Yollocalli Arts Reach in nearby Little Village.
May 18th…
After several delays including an incorrect address provided by the tower company and severely underestimated construction needs, PMI is forced to request an 18-month extension to our FCC Construction Permit. It was never supposed to take this long. Our perseverance is being fully tested.
May 24th…
A Miracle! The building permit for the tower site is approved and paid for and construction can finally begin.
August 26th…
A professional tower climber scales the tower and installs our transmitting antenna on top by hand.
September 19th…
Power hookup is complete on our tower site. Radio equipment and simple test tone broadcasts can begin!
October 14th…
Internet is connected at our tower site and our first test transmission is broadcast from our studio in Bridgeport over the FM airwaves.
November 5th…
A celebration of the 25th Anniversary issue of Lumpen Magazine and the official launch of WLPN-LP, Chicago 105.5 FM – Lumpen Radio!
Today is the day we power the tower and broadcast on the terrestrial airwaves at 105.5 FM and keep it on 24/7. We also launch a Holiday Swag-A-Thon! to help generate funds to finish paying our contractors and engineers for all the hard work they have done.
Lumpen Radio is now a Low-Power, Hybrid Digital FM station on the public air waves what comes next…stay tuned for the next chapter as we create live community radio