Ojai Community Radio is a non-commercial, listener supported FM radio station for the Ojai Valley and surrounding communities. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This project was founded by Ojai local Gabe Castanon and Ojai transplant Derek Opperman.
Our mission is to provide Ojai and the surrounding communities with a freeform platform for music, community voices, education, and emergency broadcasting, without ads or commercial influence. Radio with no ads! What could be better?!
We received our construction permit from the FCC on 12/2/2024, and we have 36 months from that date to begin broadcasting. We plan to build our online stream throughout 2025, we hope to be broadcasting terrestrial radio at 99.3FM in 2026.
Our startup cost estimate is ~$40k, which includes the following:
- Antenna and transmitting equipment
- Permits and construction
- Broadcast studio equipment
- Utilities and software
- Music licensing
- Rent
Once we’re on the air, we estimate our annual budget to be under $10,000/year.
A more detailed budget for this year can be found below. Unexpected costs are built into our fundraising goals.
| TRANSMITTER AND CONSTRUCTION | |
| EAS Unit | $4,075.00 |
| Transmitter | $3,400.00 |
| DRP | ~$2,500.00 |
| CUP | ~$2,500.00 |
| Transmitter PC | ~$500.00 |
| EAS receiver | $565.00 |
| Antenna | $399.00 |
| Anchor | $158.00 |
| Mast | $112.00 |
| Coax surge protector | $95.00 |
| Guy Wires | $12.00 |
| Construction costs | $5,000.00+ |
| LICENSING | |
| Spinitron | $868.00 |
| NFCB | $500.00 |
| Sound Exchange (with NFCB Discount) | $275.00 |
| ASCAP Streaming | $462.00 |
| ASCAP FM Radio | $400.00 |
| BMI Streaming | $200.00 |
| BMI FM Radio | $400.00 |
| SESAC Streaming | $340.00 |
| SESAC FM Radio | $200.00 |
| Pacifica Membership | $300.00 |
| BROADCAST STUDIO | |
| Recording Equipment | ~$1000.00 |
| Mixing board | ~$500.00 |
| Broadcasting PC with automation software | ~$2000.00 |
| Rent | TBD |
| GENERAL OPERATION | |
| Website and online stream hosting | $204.00 |
| Utilities and IT | $1200.00 |
If you would like to get involved or support us in any way, please contact info@ojairadio.org and/or sign up for our mailing list. We look forward to working with you!