KWCW-FM, Whitman College's student-owned and student-operated radio station, began regular broadcasting during the first week of Interim after receiving the final approval of the Federal Communications Commission.

The station, which broadcasts on the FM band and in stereo, can be found at 90.5 megacycles. Robert Searfoss, station manager, said that the next two weeks might be termed a "test run." Final technical adjustments will be made and a regular programming schedule will be initiated.

"It'll probabably be two weeks or so before we have the station operating the way we want it to," he concluded.

Searfoss also said that the station will train any aspiring disc jockeys in the operation of radio equipment. He emphasized that all persons wishing to go on the air must have a third class broadcasters' license, which is not difficult to obtain, from the FCC.

The beginning of regular broadcasting concludes nearly a year of hectic activity for those most closely involved with the station, who organized a radio committee, were recognized by the ASWC and were allocated funds for the creation of a station last February.

The equipment began arriving during December. Equipment includes: two turntables; two "pre-amps", which amplify and filter the sound; a control console; a transmitter; an antenna; and an old 1-track tape deck which can be used to record voice. A new tape deck has also been ordered.

"Technically, we're one of the best small stations in the country," Searfoss remarked. He also guessed that KWCW was one of perhaps five or six radio stations in the country which is entirely owned and operated by the students.

Roger Wells, the station's communications coordinator, emphasized that the station was educational and non-profit, and, therefore, could not allow any commercial advertising. Public service announcements will be allowed, however.

When asked about programming, Searfoss explained that KWCW-FM would be on the air seven days a week from the late afternoon through the early hours of the morning, and that programming would vary greatly.

"We have music students planning shows of classical music, and we'll have rock music on during 'prime time' and late in the evening," he said. Shows covering blues, jazz and folk music are also being planned.

Gary Scheidel is the station's program director.

News broadcasts [will be] aired several times each week, Doug Eglington, news director, said. The news department hopes to work out an agreement with the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin for use of the latter's Associated Press copy. A news service which covers the Washington State Legislature in Olympia has also been contacted.

The news broadcasts will also give considerable attention to local and campus news, Eglington added. "We have the largest news staff of any medium in the Walla Walla area," he said, "and hope to attempt to fill the news void which exists, especially in locacl broadcast journalism."

Editorials from many perspectives will also be a regular feature of KWCW. Student theatrical productions and recitals will also be broadcast, as will occasional old radio dramas.

For examples, the station has purchased installments of [rest of the article has been torn away]