On May 31, 2000, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church applied for a Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast station license. Events progressed slowly, but we received our FCC Construction Permit and call sign in December 2003 and went on the air in July 2004. Reflecting our desire to restore community radio to Calvert County, we operate as WMJS, using the “traditional” local call letters.
Why did we apply for an LPFM license in the first place?
- Shortly before the FCC announced the creation of LPFM, our county “lost” its only local radio station when WMJS was purchased by Mega Communications, Inc. of Washington DC.
- WMJS was moved to Sunderland and converted to a remote transmitter of Spanish language programming into Washington DC and its immediate suburbs with a new call sign (WBZS-FM).
- We felt that “restoring” local radio to Prince Frederick and Calvert County would provide a needed community service, allow us to better publicize all non-profit organizations’ coming events as part of a “Community Bulletin Board” feature, and (as a side benefit) perhaps attract additional new families to our parish.
What type of programming will we broadcast?
- Very similar to the old WMJS, but with a wider mix of music than just “oldies”. Our music will be a mix of Adult Contemporary, Oldies, and Pop with a little Modern Country thrown in.
- We want to be a station that everyone in the county will WANT to listen to. Accordingly, we will be a community radio station, NOT a sectarian “religious broadcaster”.
- Community Bulletin Board announcements, events, and eventually local news will be a big feature of our programming.
- We will be 100% local programming — programming of interest to the wider community in which we live.
Who will operate the station?
- We will be on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by volunteers, as available.
- We would like to restore the “Morning Show” that had such a loyal following for years on the old WMJS.
- We will train volunteers who want to put together special interest programs, e.g. classical hour, “Broadway at night”, folk music, etc.
How will we pay for it?
- As a non-commercial/educational station we fall under the same underwriting rules as PBS and National Public Radio.
- We may accept donations for the startup and continuing operating costs from local industries and businesses and also from individuals.
- As a non-commercial, educational station, we cannot “sell” advertising per se, but the Congress and the FCC do allow us to gratefully “acknowledge gifts” from local businesses…just like PBS and NPR do…with a published schedule correlating amount given with frequency and duration of our expressions of thanks. This is how we will pay the limited operating costs.
- For donations from businesses and industries we will provide 20 second “Enhanced Underwriting Announcements”. Click here for more information.
All donations are 100% tax deductible.
- WMJS, as a community service operation of St. Paul’s, falls under their 501(c)3 exemption with the IRS and we will provide donation acknowledgements as required by the tax laws.
Bottom Line:
- WMJS began serving Calvert County on the 4th of July, 2004. Your support is needed to make this return of community radio a success.
- If you would like to make a donation, please click here for a printable donation form. *
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