Somerton radio station debuts Oct. 29
SOMERTON — Radio Sin Fronteras, a Spanish-language community radio station that will broadcast from the city, is scheduled to go on air with its own programming Oct. 29.
Radio Sin Fronteras KYMZ, located at 99.9 on the FM dial, will be operated by Campesinos Sin Fronteras, a Somerton non-profit social service agency serving low-income families in south Yuma County.
“We are very excited because we now are finalizing what was before an idea, a vision and a dream,” said Emma Torres, executive director of CSF. “We have the studio, the equipment, the programming and now we are just working on the final details of the station.”
Since March, CSF has been testing its signal using programming content from other stations. Radio Sin Fronteras needed to broadcast by then to remain in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission, which in 2015 granted a license for the non-profit station but set a three-year deadline for it to begin broadcasting.
More recently, the station has suspended broadcasts to concentrate on developing its own programming.
“We are working on public announcements about Campesinos programs and about community assistance as well as mentions of our sponsors,” said Krizia Godinez, who serves as the station’s coordinator for CSF.
Torres said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved a $198,000 loan, plus a $52,000 grant for the station to cover its initial costs. Over the long term, she said, the station will be sustained by financial sponsors, since as a community radio station, it is not allowed to sell advertising.
While primary a Spanish-language station, Radio Sin Fronteras hopes to provide some English programming geared toward younger listeners about community events, Torres said.
“We believe that it will be very beneficial for everyone, because we are going to be bringing to people information that is necessary and critical for their emotional and social well-being and health.” At the same time, she said, “we are going to provide entertaining programs and good music.”
The station’s studio is located in CSF’s main office in Somerton, 663 E. Main St., from where the signal will be sent to an antenna on the property of the Peanut Patch east of Yuma.