WMPH  RADIO  POLICIES
 

TYPES OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

• LEGAL IDS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires every station to give a legal station identification at the top of each hour. Failure to do so can result in a maximum fine of $2500. A legal ID consists of a station’s call letters and city of license (WMPH / Wilmington).

Use our pre-recorded legal IDs with the orange label on cart or in computer at the TOP OF THE HOUR ONLY!
 

• STABS & IMAGES

Use stabs & images often. These are not legal IDs. A stab is a very shot mention of WMPH with voice only (about :03 seconds).  An image is either a jingle or pre-recorded mention of WMPH with background music or effects.  Use in between songs at random even though they are not required on the daily program log.
 

• SPONSORS

Sponsors are not commercials. However we do have agreements to promote certain sponsors on the air at a designated day / time. It is very important to air the sponsor only when logged.
 

COMMERCIAL-FREE AT 91.7

All radio stations from 88.1 - 91.9 are automatically classified as non-commercial stations. A commercial is accepting money directly to air an advertisement. Commercials are often biased with statements such as "For the best in..." or "It’s everyone’s favorite..." WMPH DOES NOT AIR COMMERCIALS! Never promote a commercial business without prior approval from management. A sponsor may contribute (donate) to the radio organization. In return, we may ‘thank’ the sponsor on the air for their generosity. Payola is accepting money for personal use when broadcasting a message without management approval. Payola is against the law in the United States.
 

• OTHER PROMOTIONS

WMPH also airs public service announcements, show promos, and community updates. These are not commercials. We promote our own shows, other non-profit organizations, and public welfare messages. Air the type of message according to the program log.

• TIME CHECKS - should be given frequently. Simply state "It’s __:__."
• WEATHER UPDATES - air every other hour. Ten minutes prior to the scheduled weather update, call 429-9000. Write the weather conditions on a sheet of paper. Use the WEATHER UPDATE introduction (Cart #0008 or in computer under SPECIAL). After the announcer introduces the weather, give the current temperature and conditions under the jingle.
• TRAFFIC REPORTS - WMPH has written permission to monitor the highway traffic reports from 1450 WILM Newsradio in Wilmington.  The traffic is aired daily at 4:30, 4:50, 5:10, and 5:30 PM.

F O L L O W  T H E  P R O G R A M L O G

STUDIO LOGS

• PROGRAM LOG - Tells the board operator what type of announcements to air and when to air them.
• DISCREPANCY REPORT - A type of daily journal for the station. Write anything note-worthy here, including on-air mistakes and dead air.
• TRANSMITTER LOG - Meter reading of the transmitter are to be taken every two hours.

Directions: Dial from any telephone to our Sine Systems remote control... 761-####.

Enter code... ##### then

Be sure to sign your name and time on / off on the transmitter log. This is necessary for FCC documentation and WMPH attendance record.  Logs must be kept on file for a minimum of 3 years according to the FCC.
 

ABSENTEEISM

All students and community volunteers are required to be at the studios at least 10 minutes prior to the beginning of your scheduled shift. At least 24 hours notice must be given to management should you be unable to attend your shift. A ‘no call / no show’ is cause for dismissal as well as 2 absences in a season. Attendance will be taken. You may miss no more than 2 shows in a season!
 

GUESTS

Guests are never permitted at WMPH unless prior approval has been given by management. Reasons: 1) Security 2) Guests will distract you from your radio duties 3) WMPH is not a social hangout
 

SCHOOL POLICY

WMPH radio enforces all policies of Mount Pleasant High School and the Brandywine School District. Refer to the Student Handbook for current policies. Such policies include restriction of weapons, alcohol and drugs, smoking inside studios, stealing and vandalism, etc.

WMPH may suspend or terminate any student for unsatisfactory grades or school attendance at the discretion of the school administration. Parents or guardians will be notified of deviant behavior.
 

FCC INSPECTIONS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may inspect WMPH at any time. Refusal to permit inspection has a maximum fine of $18,750. Be sure any agent of the FCC shows proper identification before allowing entrance into the station. The FCC may inspect for:

• Emergency Alert System (EAS) violations
• Public inspection file violations
• Power violations
• Documents

OBSCENE BROADCASTING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES

It is a violation of federal law to broadcast obscene or indecent programming. The prohibition is set forth at Title 18 United States Code, Section 1464. The FCC may revoke a station license, issue a warning, or impose a monetary forfeiture for the broadcast of obscene or indecent material.

Obscene speech is not protected by the First Amendment and can not be broadcast at any time. WMPH represents the Brandywine School District. In no way should WMPH offend the community by obscene material or degrading any group of people. This includes the music aired. The broadcast of indecent programming has a maximum fine of $12,500 by the FCC. The penalty for this offense is immediate termination from WMPH.
 

SEGUE BREAKS

The program log indicates when to air breaks. A break is every time you cut away from the music or talk program to air a series of pre-recorded messages. At every break, the announcer must first talk down the music before airing a pre-recorded message. Talking down the music may consist of the announcer stating the songs that were mentioned, telling the listeners which station they are tuned to, and saying "We’ll be back after these messages." After the break, you must talk up the music. Never go to a break without talking to the listeners. Your job is to be a host to the listening community.

Breaks are usually scheduled every 20 minutes. Follow the program log for your show to know when to break and what messages to air.
 

SLOGAN "Super 91.7 WMPH"

Mention W M P H all the time! You may also use stabs & images to mention WMPH. It is important to let our listeners know who we are.

Our slogan (Station Name) is "Super 91.7 WMPH" – Say Ninety One Seven – not Ninety One POINT Seven.  WMPH also goes by "The Beat of Wilmington" in accordance with our high-energy dance format.
 

MICROPHONES

When any microphone is turned on in the control room, absolute quiet must be maintained in the studio except for the voice of the announcer. Never touch a microphone that is activated! Because the studio speakers mute when the microphones are turned on to avoid feedback, it is a good idea to wear headphones when talking on the air.

The microphones used at WMPH are directional (as opposed to omni-directional). Directional microphones respond best to sound from the front, while tending to reject sound that arrives from other directions. Talk directly into the microphone about two inches away. Below is a diagram of the pick up pattern of a directional microphone.
 

TELEPHONE POLICY

WMPH has one telephone line for our studios (302) 762-7199. This number has priority to business calls. Radio personalities may answer the telephone only if no microphones are turned on. Never comment on the air that the phone is ringing (a light will flash to indicate phone ringing). For continuity, it is best that everyone answers the phone "Hello, W M P H...."

DO NOT USE THE TELEPHONE FOR PERSONAL CALLS. No music show may put a caller on the air live without the permission of the manager. You may pre-record the caller with implied permission.  Both the DJ and caller may be played back using our non-linear editing system.