Standish radio station gets new antenna, changes format
Radio station WJZF, located off the Standish Glen Road in Standish, is replacing its 40-foot radio antenna with one that’s four times bigger.
“The new antenna is 160 feet tall,” said station owner and operator David Patterson. “It will allow us broader coverage and clearer coverage in the areas we are already in.”
The station, started in January 2005, is run by volunteers. It is listed as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
“We are completely non-profit,” said Patterson. “Our 14 volunteers are here solely for the love of the medium.”
When the station first went on the air at 97.1 on the FM dial, 90 percent of the programming was smooth jazz. The format has recently undergone a big change and offers a wide spectrum of music and talk.
“We play a variety of things,” said Patterson. “We read the emails and take requests. We play what the listeners want.”
The new format includes a mix of music and talk. Various radio ministries are played throughout the day as well as talk shows including the new show, “On the Right Track,” featuring Lane Hiltunen and Tommy Gleason.
Music is played for most of the day and evening. WJZF features music programming from the 1950s and ‘60s all the way up to the early 1990s. Blues and jazz can still be heard on programs like “True Blues Review,” and “Red Bud Ramble.”
The purpose of WJZF is to allow previously unheard voices of the community to express their opinions and thoughts.
“We encourage members of the community to come to the station and be heard,” said Patterson. “If someone doesn’t agree with points made on air, we will give them equal air time for dissent.”
WJZF can be heard on the Web 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We are streaming on the Web all the time,” said Patterson. “That allows people out of range to be part of our community.”
The new antenna will be located adjacent to the cell phone tower at the Standish Town Hall on Northeast Road.
“The new antenna is going to be a blessing,” said Patterson. “We should come in a lot clearer now.”
For more information on WJZF programming and donations, visit www.wjzf.org.
