Soon radio and music enthusiasts, as well as alumni who yearn for the days when they listened to their college radio station, will be able to tune in to Juniata's radio station WKVR-FM from anywhere on the planet by clicking a button on the station's Web site.

The technology, called “streaming” allows people to listen over an Internet connection. Listeners can access Juniata's programming by visiting www.wkvr.com and clicking on “Listen to the Webcast.”

“Essentially listeners can tune in 24 hours a day and hear student- and possibly faculty-produced programs,” says Matt Newman '06, manager of the student radio station and a junior from Pennsburg, Pa. studying IT and finance. “Students can play music for audiences on campus or back home.”

Newman and station technical manager Glenn Roth '06, a junior from Centre Hall studying IT and management, have revamped the student radio station by installing an all-digital software package by Visiosonic that allows the station to create its own database of digital music files. To date, the station has amassed more than 18,000 files to complement an extensive collection of records and CDs. The new software package also streamlines the production process, making it easier for would-be DJs to create programs.

Roth says about 80 listeners can access the programming at one time. The station's regular National Public Radio programming will play up until 5 p.m. for local audiences, but Internet listeners can hear College programming 24 hours a day.

“We've already started a Yahoo Users Group and the station has an AOL address so the DJs can take requests from listeners live,” Newman says. To request a selection, e-mail the DJ at wkvrpower92@aol.com. “I think the potential for new audiences is huge,” Roth says.