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UC Irvine's tiny radio station KUCI-FM is in danger of going off the air soon if the station's student operators are unable to raise more than $4,000 to replace its aging antenna.
KUCI General Manager Robin Snyder said the antenna problem has been developing for several years but reached a critical stage recently because "we found out that the parts aren't made any more. What we are up against is that once these tubes blow, they are out and that could happen any time." She estimated the antenna is about 40 years old.
So far, the non-commercial, multiformat station has less than $1,500 in its new antenna fund, while Snyder said a replacement antenna will cost an estimated $5,400.
The issue will be of only passing concern to most of Orange County, since the 24-watt station's signal can be picked up only within a few miles of the Irvine campus. But to local bands for whom any radio exposure is vital, the loss of air play and interviews given local bands on KUCI (88.9) would be significant.
KUCI receives its annual budget-almost $30,000 for 1986-87-primarily from the university's Associated Students group, channeled through an independent media board,...