Huntley Community Radio Plans Move Ahead

The idea for a Huntley Community Radio station have been in the works for more than a year and it’s an idea that is moving forward as organizers start the process of gaining village approval.

Village trustees are referring Huntley Community Radio to the planning committee for formal review.

Huntley Community Radio will be a nonprofit, low power FM radio station located in an office owned by the Huntley Park District inside Deicke Park, 1149 Route 47.

Plans are to start broadcasting as an Internet radio station then apply for a Federal Communications Commission license, said Allan Pollack, one of the organizers.

“It’s a transitional effort on our part because we don’t have control over the FCC window of time,” to issue a permit, Pollack said. “We wanted to get ourselves up and running and give information to the community.”

The radio station would broadcast news and information affecting the Huntley community, he said. The frequency would be heard about 5 miles away, he said.

To broadcast, Huntley Community Radio would need to construct a 100-foot tall antenna adjacent to its office. The antenna would need village approval and a special permit.

A question the board raised during discussions last week is whether the antenna would make loud noises like ham radios.

Jim Carollo, who has had a long career WGN radio, said that is not an issue and the antenna would not interfere with ham radios or other transmissions. This type of antenna is intended to cover local communities, Jim said.

Huntley Community Radio would broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. then repeat a number of programs from 6 p.m. to midnight, Pollack said. Then play a variety of music from midnight to 6 a.m., he said.