LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Community Radio is reporting that a recently awarded grant has put KPFZ closer to meeting its fundraising goals.

The nonprofit community radio station is expected to be on the air at full power, located on the FM dial at 88.1, in November.

Station manager and founder, Andy Weiss, said KPFZ received word last week it had been selected by the Wine Alliance as a beneficiary of the October Wine Auction event.

KPFZ will receive a portion of one-third of the event's funds, which will be allocated for community groups. Weiss said it's not known how much money that will amount to, although it could be as much as $15,000.

Not counting that grant, which won't be awarded until next year, Weiss said KPFZ has raised $152,000 of the needed $160,000 to get on the air.

In early February, the Board of Supervisors committed $30,000 to seeing the station get on the airwaves. The rest has been raised through community fundraising, said Weiss.

This year also has seen KPFZ overcome some big obstacles in getting on the air. A main concern had been getting a guarantee for transmitter space on Mt. Konocti. Weiss said KPFZ has a letter of intent from the mountain's owners, with a final contract expected in July.

From now until June, Weiss said KPFZ will be preparing the broadcast tower/bunker on Mt. Konocti, going out to bid and awarding the project contracts, and purchasing equipment.

Transmitter construction is slated to begin in July, said Weiss, along with building the studio and beginning programmer training.

In October, they hope to conduct final broadcast equipment tests and continue training programmers, with a view to being on the air the following month.

He said KPFZ will continue fundraising through the spring and summer to gather the rest of the needed funds and more operating capital.

Weiss said it's a very exciting time for community radio in Lake County. “After nearly 12 years of working towards this goal, we are almost there. Of course, there is still a lot to do, and any help is appreciated.”

Some help that's still needed: Weiss said the station is still looking for studio space. The ideal space would be donated or low-cost, be around 1,200 square feet with a group of rooms (which Weiss said is preferable to one large space), and have a view of Mt. Konocti.

If you wish to donate funds or know of a good studio space, contact Weiss at 274-2152 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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