FCC grants Dunbar group license to launch radio station

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The local radio airwaves soon will have a new sound.

A group in the Dunbar community of Fort Myers has gotten a license from the FCC to launch a new station.

Dunbar has a museum of black history, well-known schools, and generations of families who’ve lived in the community. But, it’s never had its own licensed radio station.

“We need a way to communicate to each other, we need a way to express the concerns we’ve got with the legal system, the justice system, education,” said Joe Battle.

As of now, the 100-watt FM station has no home or call letters. It’ll be non-commercial, supported by local organizations and grants.

“Our primary format will be R&B, gospel, we do anticipate putting on some jazz and blues,” said Battle.

Dunbar had an unlicensed, or “pirate” station, in the recent past. Al Knighten operated that station out of his home in 2012, but the federal government shut it down, and he was threatened with criminal prosecution.

The new station will have no ties to the pirate operation.

We found differing opinions on whether the station has a chance to gain a significant listenership.

“It’ll be nice, especially for the gospel, and I don’t think they have many black radio stations in this area anyway,” said resident Shirley Williams.

“I think radio is dying, slowly,” said T.J. Williams, “and then, you know the Dunbar community, not a lot of people like to support local stuff.”

The license holders hope to go on the air within the next year.

The people behind the new station will have a public meeting Monday night at the Apostolic House of God church on Lincoln Avenue to gather input on format and other issues.