November 27, 2023 - 1:33 pm

After nearly three years of a frustrating critical supply chain delay, KBCS forged ahead this past week with the installation of new hardware and software upgrades to our station automation system. This project also includes the installation of the three new Wheatstone console mixer boards, among other essential broadcast equipment.

This is a significant step forward in our plans to build, back, and better the outdated preexisting KBCS infrastructure with modern broadcast digital equipment. This new equipment will help us enhance the clarity of our signal strength and further snuggle up a little closer to the legal boundaries allowed by our FCC license. This equipment will also improve the clarity of our signal and offer greater operating efficiencies to help relieve some of the burdens often placed on our small staff of professionals.

Along with these important equipment upgrades, KBCS is about to launch our World News Radio KBCS HD2 programming stream that has been in beta testing mode for some time now. This all-automated 24-hour stream of news and fine arts programming will feature the live satellite feed of the BBC World Service from London as the base programming as well as other independent public affairs and fine arts programming. The weekday evening programming from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. features the syndicated weekly broadcasts of great symphony and chamber music programs featuring, The New York Philharmonic this Week with Alec Baldwin, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Collectors Corner with Henry Folger, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony broadcast series and more. These symphony and chamber music broadcasts will also include Symphony Cast by American Public Media which highlights major orchestral and chamber music broadcasts that span the globe. On Sunday evenings, listeners can enjoy LA Theatre Works presenting great radio dramas featuring some of the finest actors of stage and screen today. Soon we will be able to stream World News Radio KBCS online with both its own dedicated home page and a new exclusive App.

Other broadcast initiatives down the road, will feature opportunities to broadcast Bellevue College academic and sporting events and supply even more opportunities for greater student involvement, for both Bellevue College students and students from other state college and public high schools across greater the Puget Sound region.

We have these amazing new initiatives at KBCS to be thankful for during this time of the year, when we put aside our grievances, and express our gratitude for those things in our life, like family and friends, and true community radio for which we are grateful.

Season’s Greetings and the Happiest of Holidays to everyone!

Dana Buckingham, KBCS General Manager and Proud Sustaining Contributor

P.S. The end of the calendar year is fast approaching to make your tax-deductible contribution to KBCS. Now would be a good time to donate, so you don’t forget.