At 6:30 PM on August 20th--just 30 minutes later than our original 6:00 PM schedule--KPCN-LP aired its first broadcast on 96.3 FM. Listeners reported hearing it at least five miles away in several directions (our technical advisers believe it will reach farther after some adjustments). After the traditional countdown, the first broadcast included an opening benediction from Cheryl Dash, Salem NAACP President, a warm welcome from Woodburn Mayor Kathy Figley, an address about community radio by Pete Tridish, Director of the Prometheus Radio Project, and a radio drama about low-power radio composed and rehearsed during the course of the weekend.

Among the barnraising’s many accomplishments, large and small, two stand out. First, we fulfilled our prime objective to make KPCN-LP broadcast-capable, a powerful and tangible manifestation of the “Si Se Puede” spirit. Second, the gathering fostered strong and personal bonds between radio activists and PCUN which will undoubtedly generate ongoing, loyal and much-needed in-kind and financial support for KPCN-LP, including consulting engineering, ongoing remodel work, and programming and technical training.

It’s not an overstatement to say that KPCN-LP owes its life to the Prometheus Radio Project. PCUN simply couldn’t have overcome the many technical and legal obstacles without their expertise and the studios, antenna and transmitter would still be largely on the drawing board today without the detailed planning, long hours, inventive solutions and “do whatever it takes” spirit of the Prometheus staff and community of radio-activists who converged on Woodburn for the barnraising, the tenth Prometheus has successfully co-organized with local groups in the U. S. and internationally.

Oscar Morales and Adrian Valladares will now expand their roles as the primary staff for KPCN-LP. Oscar is KPCN-LP’s first director of programming, supported through a two-year New Voices Fellowship awarded in May. Oscar comes to KPCN-LP work from his role as a community organizer with PCUN’s sister organization, Voz Hispana Causa Chavista and as a founder of LUChA, a local student organization. Adrian started working on KPCN-LP in April as the “start-up coordinator” and has now been named KPCN-LP’s first engineer and technical coordinator. He came to KPCN-LP from Latinos Unidos Siempre, another sister organization developing youth leadership in Salem.

We now put the barnraising’s considerably momentum in the service of preparing for full station operation. By mid-November, we must:
· complete a considerable number if remaining remodeling and technical tasks;
· encourage, evaluate, select and organize the programming proposals and train programmers.
· build audience anticipation in the Woodburn area for a November 20th official launch of full programming (well-known Mexican holiday commemorating the start of the Mexican Revolution in 1910 and, now in Woodburn in 2006, the beginning of a revolution in radio);
· conclude the “padrinos” fundraising campaign establishing a base of financial support in community businesses and organizations.

We need your volunteer and financial help to fulfill this ambitious plan. To contribute or help with the remodel, contact PCUN Secretary-Treasurer Larry Kleinman.