HARPSWELL

Harpswell Community Radio is one step closer to reality.

Last Wednesday, Harpswell Community Radio (WHPW) began broadcasting a test signal. While the station is just broadcasting music at the moment, the plan is for original programming to be added in the near future — assuming that the signal testing goes well.

WHPW is a volunteer, community driven radio station based in Harpswell. John Halpin, the nonprofit’s president, has said that he hopes 40 percent of the station’s content be generated by local residents. That could mean anything from DJing an hour of music to reading stories for the community. One person has even suggested giving play-by-play for local sporting events.

“We don’t know exactly what it’s going to be yet, and that’s part of the fun of it,” said Halpin. “We really want to see what shows up and what local people want to do.”

Since Maine Public took classical music off of its main stations (now carried on a separate Maine Public station), Halpin sees an opening to fill that void in his community. In fact, several Harpswell residents have come forward with the desire to host a classical music show.

For non-local content, Halpin hopes to find some syndicated content that no other station is providing in Maine. Platforms like PRX and the Pacifica Network provide hours of content that Halpin can sort through to find programs that he thinks Harpswell residents would appreciate. Halpin has shown a particular interest in programming from the Portland-based Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, which is available from PRX.

Halpin has started hosting “Introduction to Radio” training sessions to teach wannabe radio hosts and disc jockeys the basics of the equipment and being on the air. Attendees can practice their radio voice and learn how to properly use a mic and a mixer. Anyone interested in having their voice on the radio can attend these sessions to find out what it takes and discuss their ideas with others.

While WHPW is broadcasting now, it’s operating under a loaned transmitter. The nonprofit is currently working to raise the $1,000 necessary to replace their broken transmitter and stay on the air. Halpin noted that they had already raised some money, and he was confident that they would get what they needed to broadcast into 2017.

Harpswell residents can tune into WHPW at 97.3 fm, and Halpin encourages listeners to let the station know how the signal comes in throughout Harpswell and the surrounding area.

Local radio

• WHPW is a volunteer, community-driven radio station based in Harpswell. John Halpin, the nonprofit’s president, has said that he hopes 40 percent of the station’s content be generated by local residents.