Come next year, Saint Louis University’s own KSLU radio station may no longer be calling cable channel 12 its home. General Manager Brian Suda and Adviser Chris Grabau are currently working on an application for a low-power FM frequency for the station.

KSLU has not been on the air since the mid ’80s, but may be returning as early as next year. After the application is submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it will be approximately six months before a decision will be made. If they do get the go-ahead, they will then have 18 months to get up to speed and on the air.

There are three steps that must be taken for KSLU to be heard off campus, explained Suda. They first must fill out an FCC application composed of mostly yes-and-no questions. Second, the station needs to show that they are a non-profit organization. Finally, Suda will write a paper proving that the station will provide “community presence” and explain how it will advance an educational program through its broadcasts.

The window for Missouri applications opened Jan. 16 and will close Jan. 21. KSLU will have their application filed by Jan. 21, assured Suda.

If KSLU is granted the right to have a spot on the dial, its signal will span a two-and-a-half mile radius, from the Central West End to parts of downtown.

The cost of putting the station on the air will be relatively inexpensive. The only added expense would be the construction of a 20-foot tower that would transmit the signal. “The bulk of it is already paid for; the other expenses are fairly nominal,” explained Suda.

This addition will not only help the University but also the surrounding area. “We’ll be able to service the midtown area a lot more,” said Suda. “It should be a lot of fun because it allows us to be not only a student-run station, but also to interact with the community.”

A few problems and changes will need to be worked through if this change is to occur. For example, KSLU currently loops cds while no one is in the studio, and according to FCC regulations someone must be in the studio for the station to be on the air. Since the Busch Memorial Center is no longer open 24 hours, it is impossible for someone to be in the studio all night, and will result in dead air.

Since KSLU is a “non-profit educational entity,” advertising and commercials will be at a minimum. However, it is unknown whether regulations, like the Emergency Broadcast System, will be required.

KSLU is also exploring the possibility of the addition of web radio. They have begun that process by adding a web cam in the studio that takes sporadic pictures of the DJ’s and can be viewed on the Web site. However, Suda confessed that broadcasting the station live on the air would raise many logistic hassles.