KCUD 90.7 FM radio station Newman/Gusting, California

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved February 1, 2011 an application for a non-commercial FM broadcast station in Newman, CA. The application was originally submitted on October 22, 2007 by the Westside Community Radio (Westside Theater Foundation), a nonprofit organization in Newman, California.

The rare opportunity to secure a noncommercial radio station drew 12 applicants from the area all vying for the same frequency (90.7 FM). Those competing included various church groups, nonprofits from as far west as Calaveras County and Capital Public, radio KXPR, at California State University in Sacramento who wanted to operate a satellite station on the frequency at the University of California in Merced. West County native Rick Nagle, 77, is spearheading the effort to get the station on the air by a deadline of February 1, 2014 imposed by the FCC, or the license will be rescinded.

Nagle estimates it will cost approximately $200,000 to get KCUD on the air, of which $16,000 was raised to pay for the legal and licensing fees involving the application. Financial pledges ranging from $30,000 from the city of Newman, $25,000 over a three-year period from the city of Gustine to Merced County supervisor Deidre Kelsey who pledged $15,000 spread out over two years. The station is expected to be supported by memberships, donations, underwriting, grants, fundraisers, and volunteers. As a noncommercial station KCUD is prohibited from selling time to advertisers in order to generate revenue. The station will be completely operated by volunteers.

KCUD hopes to be on the air around-the-clock on the frequency of 90.7 FM with the power of 1500 watts E.R.P. (effective radiated power) with an anticipated audience of around 16,000. Initial plans call for the antenna to be installed on a city water tank in Gustine, 105 feet above ground level. Studio location to be determined, but expected to be within 25 miles of Newman. Some thought is being given to constructing studios in the attic of the Westside Theatre building in downtown Newman. Prime coverage area is expected to be roughly 20 to 30 miles in each direction from the transmitting antenna in Gustine. The station, in addition to Newman, Gustine, Patterson and Crows Landing, hopes to be heard as far north as Wesley, as far south as Los Banos and as far east as Ceres with a lesser grade signal.

Nagel has previous experience as a disc jockey for KFAT, 94.5 FM, Gilroy, CA, in the 70s and has 32 years of experience in the noncommercial radio business. He retired to his hometown of Newman several years ago where he is active with the Westside Theatre group.

For more information about the station, go to www.westsideradio.org. Or you may contact Nagle via e-mail at rick@westsideradio.org or call him at (209) 752-8805.