WERA Returns To The Air With Tiny Temporary Signal

WERA (96.7) was back on the air for a few hours on Tuesday. Apparently just in time to avoid losing its FCC license after a year of silence.

A DCRTV reader in Alexandria reported that the station was broadcasting a loop of light, guitar based instrumental music on Tuesday. As of Wednesday, they are airing podcasts. The reader described the temporary signal as an “absolute peashooter,” barely receivable less than five miles from the transmitter and suffering interference from WCEI and WAVA’s translator. Radio Arlington has also launched a new website at RadioArlington.org.

WERA went silent last July amid the financial collapse of Arlington Independent Media, an Arlington County audit and a dispute over access to the station’s transmission equipment. Radio Arlington recently asked the FCC for emergency authority to return using a temporary rooftop antenna, first proposing 20 watts and later reducing the request to just 6 watts. The limited signal may not reach far, but it appears to have accomplished the immediate goal of getting WERA back on the air before its license expiration deadline.