Swiss Mixx 106.9 Covers Coastal Wanganui
Teen announces arrival with bedroom radio station
John Maslin, Wanganui Chronicle
You would have to say Jayden Barrie has a passion for radio.
There’s no denying his keenness to make it on the airwaves because the Wanganui teenager has just launched his own station.
Swiss Mixx 106.9FM broadcasts from the Barrie home in Gonville and, while non-commercial at this stage, it is set up to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As well as help from family and friends, it has cost the Cullinane College student $2000 of his own money to buy the a transmitter and mixer, while his mum Frances’ boss chipped in with an old but workable computer.
From the age of 4, Jayden was a Lego nut and over time his collection grew. But when his ambitions swung toward a career in broadcasting he gave up his beloved Lego collection, selling it on Trade Me to fund his foray into the world of radio.
That sale realised more than $1500 and by selling off some “other stuff” he has set up Wanganui’s latest radio station.
Swiss Mixx has been going a week but already the once-reticent 15-year-old is definitely the master of his bedroom-based domain.
“I’ve always wanted to be on the radio and it’s what I want to do when I leave school,” he said.
Jayden’s radio is run courtesy of a general user licence which lets him broadcast, as well as a licence from APRA, which makes provision for artists’ royalties.
He does the odd bit of continuity announcing and his mum has voiced one of the station’s jingles.
The programme is downloaded from the internet and he compiles the playlist he wants.
“I’m not doing a lot of announcing at this stage but that will be increasing in the months ahead,” he said.
The family gathered yesterday to “officially” launch Swiss Mixx 106.9FM but it actually began broadcasting on Monday week ago.
It has taken him about four months to get the station on air.
Jayden is not using a big transmitter.
The one he bought – with the family’s help – gets a signal across Gonville and Castlecliff, parts of Springvale and up to Victoria Ave.
“The playlist is more classic hits and I’ve put some newer music into the format as well,” he said.
He is not too sure about running news on Swiss Mixx but would be keen to attract some commercial sponsorship.
It is believed he can earn up to $10,000 before the taxman gets interested.
And there is an email contact where people can request songs and provide feedback.
© Wanganui Chronicle August 23 2010.
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