PORT TOWNSEND — While KPTZ 91.9 FM holds two fundraisers a year, the one that begins today is the “big one,” according to station manager Nora Petrich.
“Our goal is $20,000, and our needs this time are equipment-based,” she said.
“We have been operating for 3½ years, and we are having more computer failures and breakdowns, so we need to replace and consolidate the equipment.”
The nonprofit’s on-air drive begins Monday and extends to Nov. 1, while a benefit dance takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St.
Admission is $10 for the event where Floating Otis will perform while a silent auction takes place.
Tickets are on sale at the door; at Quimper Sound, 230 Taylor St. in the Undertown; and at the Food Co-op, 414 Kearney St.
The station draws from a pool of more than 100 volunteers, with about 60 participating each week, Petrich said.
Only two paid part-time workers are employed by the station.
Many of the volunteers have kept the technology going.
“We have some wonderful IT people — retired engineers who have been scrounging their shops and holding this place together with bits and pieces,” she said.
“I’m concerned about burning them out and think we should put more energy into purchasing new components than rebuilding the old.”
The station operates with computers crammed into corners in a temporary classroom building at the Mountain View Commons complex.
Petrich would like to purchase smaller components that can be put in one place, specifically a space between the studio and the reception area that is accessible from both sides.
“We’ve run out of room,” she said.
“The computers are here and there, and when we want to change a sound card, we always wonder, ‘How do we get to that?’”
Petrich is grateful for volunteers.
“I am always amazed by the quality of the talent that walks into the door,” she said.
Automation needs
Most in need is someone who can understand and operate the automation software so the station can run smoothly in the off hours when no one is at the helm.
Another goal is to expand original programs into the weekend, which is currently mostly automated.
“We have a lot of programming we’d like to get on,” Petrich said.
“We are running out of time and space.”
The time problem is solved when more programs are aired, while space will be alleviated if the station can expand into other rooms on campus.
Petrich hopes KPTZ will eventually benefit from the renovation of Mountain View, for which a $3.6 million bond measure will appear on the Feb. 10 ballot.
With the renovations, the station could get room for storage and even a performance space where audiences could be invited in for live broadcasts.
KPTZ has about 27,000 listeners across the Olympic Peninsula, with programming available for Internet streaming.
For more information, visit www.kptz.org or phone 360-379-6886.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
