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WDIY Receives Approval from FCC to Triple Its Broadcast Power

WDIY Listeners,

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you today to share wonderful news about WDIY.  We have received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to triple the station's effective radiated power from 100 watts to 300 watts. The increase will expand the station's primary service area by about 250 square miles, enabling WDIY to reach an additional 135,000 people, fully reaching the entire Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

The FCC's approval is a "game changer" for the station. We are now on our way to reaching our potential of being the Lehigh Valley's true source for local radio programming and NPR® news. The power increase and enhanced technology will provide better reception to our current listeners while reaching a significant number of new ones. The combination will ensure a brighter future for WDIY in terms of service to the community as well as financially.

WDIY's programming is a reflection of the greater Lehigh Valley's need for news, public affairs programming and music. Expanding the reach of the station's signal will allow thousands more to be engaged, informed and entertained by WDIY's diverse mix of programming.

This year, we are observing our 20th anniversary, and the power increase gives us all the more reason to celebrate. We'll finally be able reach most corners of the Lehigh Valley as well as parts beyond. WDIY's current service area includes a population of about 407,000. The increase is expected to boost this to approximately 545,000.

The power increase will require replacing the station's current antenna and transmitter. The cost of the improvements could run as high as $120,000.

What can you do?

The best thing you can do right now is to become a WDIY Member. If you're already a member, if you can, please consider increasing your membership. If you donate $60, please consider making an $88.10 donation in 2015, or join our sustainer program at $120, which is just $10 per month. If you are donating $120 per year, please consider giving $180, or $15 per month...you get the idea. It is crucial that we keep the station financially strong while we search for grant funding and start our power increase capital campaign.

In the coming months, I will share more details about our progress and other things you can do to help us achieve our goal. It is now time to make WDIY a stronger station, and one that will be better prepared to serve the Lehigh Valley for another 20 years.

Sincerely,

Wagner Previato
Executive Director