Radios have become a very common means of communication ever since the past years. Up to date, they are used by a wide range of people.
You will find out that
most matatus and vehicles are fitted with radio systems. The radios play a very
big role when it comes to entertainment and news.
Radios also come in
smaller sizes thus making them very portable.
This is how to start a
community radio station in Kenya, or generally how to start a radio station in
Kenya step by step guide:
Step 1: Apply For Your Radio Frequency.
If you don’t know how
to get a radio frequency in Kenya, you will need to visit the communications
authority of Kenya website www.ca.go.ke.
Check under licensing.
Download application form to register radio frequency. Follow the instructions
to fill and submit the form. Wait for your frequency.
Step 2: Get The Required Licenses
The average broadcasting
license cost Ksh. 10,000. For commercial free-to-air broadcasting such as
television, you will pay an average of Ksh. 200,000 licensing fee.
Also, your license
type will depend on whether you are starting broadcasting or a community radio
station.
Step 3: Design Your Studio
Equip your studio with
necessary audio equipment.
Step 4: Recruit Broadcasters
You need people to
engage your audience. Get the right persons and hire them. Be sure you’re your
broadcasters do some practice before going live.
Step 5: Get Your Equipment Installed And Ready
Buy the equipment
required like antennae, transmitter, microphones, headphones, and sound proof.
Start An Online Radio Station
This is how to start
an online radio station in
Kenya
1. Design Your
Physical Studio.
This is where you will
broadcast. You need equipment such as microphone, audio mixer, headphones,
monitor speakers, computer, and strong reliable internet connection.
2. You Need A Radio
Server
A radio server is
where you will host your radio program. You also need a playout system
including media players, DJ programs, and radio automated programs.
You need an encoder
that converts audio to a streamable format. Most radio servers or software
have an inbuild encoder.
You may need
additional software for recording and tweak audio files.
3. Identify Your
Listeners
Do you want passive or
active listeners? Active listeners are those who are engaged when you are live.
So, have programs suitable for your audience.
4. Get Your Programs
Ready
Whether it's music,
interviews, political analysis, news, daily stories, etc, things that your
audience may be interested to listen to.
Cost Of Setting Up
A Radio Station
The cost of setting up a
radio station in Kenya ranges on average from Ksh. 500,000 to as high as Ksh.2
million. The cost is inclusive of getting frequency, licensing, setting a
studio, and radio station equipment among others.
Radio station
equipment cost in Kenya is high. For instance, the cost of an Fm radio transmitter
in Kenya that is new is about Ksh. 384,900 on average.
You can as well get
the transmitter at a lower price especially when you get it from someone
selling their radio station.
Let me hope that you
got all the answers to your questions. And that this article was of great
importance to you.