Business Broadcaster Profile
Jack Williams
Radio Pioneers - Cactus Rose R.V. Park - Gordon, TXHere's a fabulous use of Part 15 radio to not only inform people but entertain them as well. Jack Williams operates Radio Pioneers, a Part 15 radio station located at the Cactus Rose RV Park. The station operates on 1610 on the dial.
It's pretty evident that Jack has a longtime interest in radio. "I'd been a DXer for around 40 years", Williams says. Having assembled a few broadcast kits while in his teens as well as pursuing electronics as part of his college education doesn't hurt with keeping one's interest in radio, either. Having served as an instrument technician in the oil industry as well as a copier and facsimile technician certainly allowed him to use his electronics skills. It's also no surprise that Williams is also active in amateur radio as well. By the way, his wife is also a licensed ham operator, too!
Williams' station has a diverse format consisting of Western, C&W oldies, 40's thru 60's R&R, MOR and Cajun. Spotlighted programming changes on a daily basis.
Serving a nearby motel as well as the grounds of the 14 space RV park, the station can also be heard in the park's group activity center and pool areas to target a "captive" audience.
"I'm out here in the middle of nowhere." Williams explained that his area is "... sparsely populated and of course there are those 50 kW FM's a few counties over." Some years ago a few local LPFM stations signed on with much fanfare but have since gone silent. Williams himself had investigated going LPFM but wasn't a fan of the regulations. "I just have fun and have always wanted to do it, but on my own terms." Williams said that having his own station was "one of those 'lifelong goal' things here also."
Besides operating with the tried and true Hamilton Rangemaster AM transmitter, his station is also powered by an Alesis 3630 Compressor, WinAmp Automation with SQR-soft plug-in, Pioneer reel to reel tape deck, RCA turntable and a Gemini mixer.
