Radio is a sound salvation

As listeners enjoy the sounds of college radio from their stereos, inside the WKNH studio disc jockeys Samantha DiNatale and Trevor Colligan debate if playing vinyl is more enjoyable than CDs.

It is just another laid back Friday after DiNatale's show "Arbitrary Insanity," one of the shows in Keene State College's student-run radio station.

"My show is a little of everything. Usually I play alternative but I have my days where I will feel like classic rock or a day where I feel like punk music. I'll have days where I go from Sage Francis to Janis Joplin," said DiNatale.

"Arbitrary Insanity" is one of the shows that remain at WKNH 91.3 since the spring semester when many of the higher positions needed to be filled. Sophomore Patrick Burke leads a new management team inside the studio. As the new General Manager, he has overseen many changes in a short time at WKNH.

The station has new programs that allow automated players to continuously run music without a DJ needing to change them. For the first time the station can provide music 24 hours a day without dead air time.

They also have purchased two new CD players for the jockey on air, according to Burke. The station needed to address other issues as well.

"We had a video surveillance system installed this summer because we had a stealing problem. People would come in and just take CDs and walk out. We hope that the cameras will cut down on the thefts," said Burke.

In addition, the staff had the walls painted and renovated some of the furniture to help create a better working environment.

Working alongside Burke is veteran WKNH DJ Nate (the Great) Swartz. The KSC senior is in his seventh semester working at the station.

"I've always had a passion for being on the radio ever since I was 10," said the host of "Nate the Great's Playhouse". Swartz's popular show runs Friday from 5-8 p.m.

Burke got into radio by assisting his brother at another college station. "WKNH is much better. We have a better radius and more people in the surrounding area to listen," said Burke.

"Pat and Nate do most of the production. They basically do all of the Public Service Announcements. Nate's probably the best DJ we have. He's really professional at his work. Both really like working here," said Colligan, a second-year student. Colligan hosts "The Liquid Chicken Protocols" that airs Monday nights.

Colligan joined the station to get into something on campus. "I got to train with other disc jockeys on their shows and learn the rules.

"They're strict here because of the regulations but it's enjoyable to be around here. I could look through the album collection for hours," said Colligan.

Colligan and DiNatale spoke of the initiative about hearing new musical genres and different bands. People who love music should join up and listen to groups that they have never heard before, according to DiNatale.

"It's a good way to dip into new streams of music," said Mitchell Mendys, a community member who does the New Age and world music show "Planetary Prismatic Sonics" on Saturday mornings.

Mendys, who has been with the station for 12 years, added, "I got into WKNH through making mix tapes. I would always make mix tapes for people and liked it so much I got into being a DJ. Now I can come up and play what I like."

According to Burke, the radio station started in 1970 more as an underground activity before the Federal Communications Commission granted WKNH a license.

"We used to be on the second floor of Elliot Hall overlooking the children's playground," said Mendys, who remembers when the station started the switch from vinyl to CD.

The station remained in Elliot Hall for almost 20 years.

Today, WKNH provides news coverage and a diverse musical format to the Keene area from its office on the third floor of the Young Student Center.

"WKNH has seen so many wonderful shows here. I've listened to reggae shows, techno, even a folk show several years ago. People love their stuff," said Mendys.

Even WKNH advisor Larry Welkowitz has a show about current events and free speech issues.

"Larry's really passionate and dedicated to the station. He's interested in building strong relationships with all the staff members. I see nothing but good things in the future with him," said Swartz.

When asked why she joined WKNH, DiNatale said, "You don't have to have a great voice to go on the radio, it's really fun and easy: plus I get to tell my friends that I'm a radio DJ."