Frequently Asked Questions

What is WFCR's address? Phone? Fax? E-mail? Directions?

WFCR
Hampshire House
University of Massachusetts
131 County Circle
Amherst MA 01003-9257

phone: 413-545-0100
fax: 413-545-2546
e-mail: radio@wfcr.org

Click here for a map to Hampshire House, and here for maps of the University of Massachusetts campus

How do I listen to WFCR's HD radio programming?

For more information about HD radio, visit our page on the subject here.

When will my favorite program be heard on WFCR?

Check out the comprehensive, printable 88.5FM WFCR, HD-2 WFCR, and WNNZ program grid.

What was that music I heard last week on WFCR?

WFCR maintains playlists of music heard on classical, jazz, and Safari programs. Choose the day you want from the calendar.

What was the music I heard on All Things Considered?

Both All Things Considered and Morning Edition post rundowns of their programs which include the music played between news stories and features. Click on these links to go to the archives of their programs and choose the date you are looking for. NPR also runs a web-only program, All Songs Considered, which plays in their entirety the selections heard between stories on All Things Considered.

Can I get tapes and transcripts of WFCR News stories?

If you want a cassette or CD of a WFCR news story, send an e-mail to News Director Fred Bever at fbever@wfcr.org.

Can I get tapes and transcripts of NPR programs?

NPR offers tapes and transcripts of Morning Edition, All Things Considered and other programs. You can call 1-877-NPR-TEXT(1-877-677-8398) or order transcripts online. Complete details are at www.npr.org/transcripts/index.html.

How can I submit a commentary to WFCR?

WFCR is not accepting commentaries for broadcast at the current time.

How do I download Real Audio or Windows Media players so that I can listen to WFCR online?

To listen to WFCR online (and to take advantage of many other offerings on the web) you will need to install a free media player. The most common players are: RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and WinAmp.

Why isn't the music I hear over the computer the same as the music playing on the radio? It sounds like the same music, but at some other place in the score.

This is the nature of streaming on the web. When you launch the player it always takes a few seconds to connect to the source of the streaming - and then there will be further seconds while the first signals are being downloaded. Typically the player will give you the message that you are "connecting" or "loading" plus a graphic that shows the percentage gradually reaching 100%, at which time you can actually start listening. Thus the signal is delayed by a significant number of seconds by the time you can hear it. The actual broadcast is preceded by a recording of our General Manager, Martin Miller.

You'll also notice that sometimes the sound disappears while your player rebuffers. It may be caused by congestion on the internet or some other technical factor. It will usually begin again just where it left off - you're not missing anything, just not hearing it for a while. Each time this happens that buffer gets a little farther behind.

The players are also set to automatically disconnect after two hours of unattended listening; you may reconnect to the stream immediately. We do this because bandwidth is expensive and we don't want listeners going to bed, for example, with the stream connected.

When will my membership expire?

Your membership – or contributing listener status – expires one year from the month you either made your first gift or the date you last made an annual contribution – not the date you may have made an additional gift in response to a mailing or to an on-air fund drive.

However, if you would like to change your renewal month, for any reason, please contact the Development office at 413-545-0100 or email radio@wfcr.org. Renewals are usually sent out three months before your expiration date, so the sooner you respond, the fewer reminders we will need to send. And, you do not need to wait until you hear an on-air fund drive to contribute – 60% of contributing listener support comes directly from mail and approximately 40% comes in as a response to our on-air drives.

Where is my thank you gift?

Thank you gifts are sent four to six weeks AFTER YOUR PAYMENT – CHECK OR CHARGE – gets to WFCR and is processed. Some gifts are ordered and/or sent from outside business places, so this factor can effect the date you actually receive your gift. As soon as your money is received, the gift is on its way — from here or somewhere else. It all takes time and other resources to make it happen. Thanks for your patience and understanding – and your support.

Why does the Emergency Alert System air tests without an announcement?

The old Emergency Broadcast System was tested using an announcement: "This is a test..." but the new one sometimes is tested without such an announcement. The new system, which went into effect several years ago, is designed to operate automatically, without the need for human intervention. When WFCR runs scheduled tests (which are mandatory at least once a week), they are preceded by a "This is a test" announcment. However, there are instances designed into the system whereby it will override all other programming to make its tests or announcements of such emergencies as severe weather warnings without a preceding announcement. Sometimes it is possible to delay the tests or announcments to make them fit into our program schedule, but at times they will break into the programming unexpectedly.

How can my company advertise on WFCR?

WFCR Public Radio 88.5 FM for Western New England offers an array of sponsorship opportunities for area businesses. For details, check our underwriting page. For information on WFCR underwriting opportunities, web banner advertising, and event sponsorships, call 413-577-0779.