STATEMENT: WFCR Now On the Air in Williamstown at 96.3 FM

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Five College Radio, the NPR-affiliated FM station operated by the University of Massachusetts, said today it has activated a "translator" from a location in Williamstown which will improve its signal. The translator is broadcasting at 96.3 FM.

Here's is the station's statement:

WFCR, NPR News and Music for Western New England, is now broadcasting in
Williamstown, Massachusetts at 96.3 FM.

The new station is the second of five translator stations slated for Berkshire County. "Translators" are low-powered stations that re-broadcast a distant station's signal to an area that could not receive the originating station well. The five translators will each re-broadcast WFCR's signal on a different frequency. In addition to the new station in Williamstown at 96.3 FM, WFCR is already on the air in Adams and North Adams at 101.1 FM. Three additional stations will bring WFCR's programming to Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lee, Lenox and Pittsfield. When complete, WFCR will be heard across the major portion of Berkshire County.

Martin Miller, WFCR's General Manager, said in a statement, "WFCR is thrilled to be reaching the residents of the Berkshires at 96.3 and 101.1 FM. Already we have received e-mails and letters expressing delight over the prospect of having WFCR in the county, and we're working diligently to get the other three translators on the air. We particularly appreciate the praise we've received for our blend of locally-produced classical music and jazz programming, combined with our strong focus on Massachusetts news."

Due to the many hills in the area, there are spots where 96.3 is the stronger signal, and others where 101.1 comes in better. With a little experimentation, listeners can easily find the best frequency to tune to where they live and work, the station explained.

"As this expansion project continues," said Miller, "listeners elsewhere in the Berkshires should check frequently to see when their areas gain coverage." In addition, residents with Internet access may stream WFCR 88.5 FM and WFCR-HD2 online at wfcr.org.

Berkshire residents who would like to support the expansion of WFCR's broadcast area throughout the Berkshires by making a contribution should write to Jerry S. Moore, Director of Development, WFCR at Hampshire House, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003, or send an email with their postal address to jmoore@wfcr.org.

88.5 FM WFCR, Public Radio for Western New England, is an affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International serving over 174,000 listeners in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire with regional news and information, and locally produced classical, jazz, folk, and world music programming at 88.5 FM and also on the FM band via HD Radio (TM) on WFCR HD2. The University of Massachusetts is the license holder for 88.5 FM WFCR, which operates with the advice and support of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For more information about WFCR's programs and services, call 413-545-0100 or visit WFCR online at wfcr.org.

For more information contact: Jorge Luis Gonzalez, 413-545-1684, jorge@wfcr.org