CHIRP: Chicago Independent Radio Project

Posted by Shawn C. on June 3, 2008 around 10pm

CHIRP has decided to move forward with its biggest project so far.

As we’ve continued with our efforts to make sure we’ll eventually be able to bring a brand new low power FM signal to Chicago, we’ve always assumed that the station’s webstream would be crucial. That’s why we’ve decided to go ahead and launch a web version of CHIRP radio. This station will be dedicated to great under-appreciated music across genres and eras, and will have a true commitment to Chicago’s diverse music and arts scenes. We hope to start it later this summer.

But we can’t start this new station without your help. We hope many of you will become founding members of CHIRP radio. You can do this in a couple of ways:

1. You can make a donation to CHIRP by clicking the “donate now” button on the left side of the page.

2. You can help us check off the following items on our wish list:

*office space (at least 350 square feet, 24 hour access, north side)
*bandwidth
*office furniture (desks, chairs)
*CD and vinyl shelving
*turntables (Technics 1200s)
*mixer
*computers (less than four years old preferred)
*printers (less than four years old preferred)
*monitors, mice, keyboards, cables, speakers
*soundproofing materials
*cubicle dividers
*CDs or vinyl collections
*office supplies (white paper, envelopes, paper clips, post-its, ink cartridges, tape, etc.)

All of these items will go toward making CHIRP Radio online a reality.

To show our appreciation, you’ll get a special gift for making a donation (cash or wish list items):

*A donation of $40 or more will get you a brand new CHIRP tote bag.
*A gift of $75 or above lets you add a cool new CHIRP t-shirt as well.
*And if you’re able to give $100 or more, you’ll also get an invitation to an exclusive CHIRP Radio launch party later this summer.
*Contributors at any level will get a CHIRP magnet and button.

Remember, we’ll also be continuing our quest for a new broadcast license — this is not an “either-or” situation. We’re still pushing for a vote on he Local Community Radio Act in the Senate. The news we are getting continues to be encouraging. But we’re excited about the prospect of making CHIRP Radio a reality even before we get a broadcast license.

If you’re able, please help us out with a gift today. If you’d like to donate items from our wish list, if you’d like to send a check, or if you have questions about any of this, you can e-mail us at chirp (at) chicagoindependentradioproject (dot) org.

Thanks!