New Features on WFDU-FM’s Web Site

The Voice of Fairleigh Dickinson University — WFDU-FM 89.1 MHz — has made advances in the way people can listen to and interact with the station.

The station’s Web site, http://wfdu.fm, now features archived shows that allow listeners worldwide access to a repository of individual programs for two weeks after they air. Users can search the archive by name of show, disc-jockey name, airtime or keyword. WFDU is one of only four radio stations worldwide using this archive service.

“Live since the beginning of the summer, the archive has received thousands of hits from around the world,” said Barry Sheffield, program director and operations manager, WFDU-FM, and assistant director, telecommunications (Metro). Google Analytics is being employed to study the archive listener data indicating where and how people are enjoying the programming. To date, listeners come from countries from as far away as Korea, Australia and Israel.

Another Web site feature is a log of songs played on station programs. DJs at the station have the ability to post their playlists so that listeners can find that certain song they heard when they cannot recall the name or artist.

In addition, WFDU continues to use the Studio C, a live performance studio, for both on-air broadcasts and for regular studio music recordings. A new video-streaming aspect has been added to many performances. Through the use of Ustream.TV linked to the station Web site and the extensive Studio C video set-up, listeners can see artists perform live. More such performances are scheduled for December and will be announced on the air and posted on the Web site.

Barry Sheffield, program director and
operations manager, WFDU-FM, and
assistant director, telecommunications
(Metro), teaches a class using the Pro-Tools
audio-editing suite.

Since WFDU has always been a laboratory for FDU students to learn broadcasting, the station has added another student-dedicated Pro-Tools audio-editing suite with a large viewing screen and wireless classroom components. “Thanks to support from University Provost Joseph Kiernan and University College Associate Dean Albert Schielke,” said Sheffield, “the new editing station became a reality and is currently in use in classes.”

In addition, after using the same vintage Gates/Harris FM-1H transmitter since initially signing on the air on August 30, 1971, WFDU is in the process of installing a new Harris ZX1000 transmitter. This is not because the old transmitter is failing but because parts are no longer available. The FM-1H will still be used as an auxiliary transmitting device. The station signal should improve with the introduction of the new equipment.