User:Thursdayinjune/Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP)

The Chicago Independent Radio Project
The Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) is a non-profit organization working to start a new music- and arts-focused community radio station in Chicago. CHIRP is launching the online version of its station in the fall of 2009, and continues to work to reform the law governing low-power FM radio licenses in hopes of eventually being able to secure a broadcast signal as well.

CHIRP is staffed by more than 120 volunteers, and is managed by a 14-member Board of Directors. It is a licensed non-profit in the state of Illinois, and applied for federal tax exempt status in September of 2009.

CHIRP is well-known for the two record fairs it runs each year -- the first, in April, a freestanding fair heavily focused on new and used vinyl, and the second, in July, a part of the Pitchfork Music Festival, featuring a mix of vinyl dealers and independent record labels. The April fair includes live music, DJs, and other entertainment, and is officially called, "The CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights."

History
CHIRP was formed in August of 2007 by a group of volunteers who wanted to bring a new, truly independent community radio station to Chicago. Initially the group focused primarily on securing a new low power FM (LPFM) license, which would require a change in the law at the federal level. But with the continued growth of online listening, the CHIRP board decided in early 2008 to have dual focuses -- the group would continue to work for an LPFM license, but it would also go ahead and launch the new station in online form at CHIRPradio.org.

CHIRP initially rented space at DANK-Haus in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, but ultimately discovered that the building lacked the IT infrastructure necessary for the station's operation. In March of 2009, the group secured space in a factory building in the city's North Center neighborhood.

Buildout on the space began in late spring of 2009, with volunteers doing most of the work. The group continued to work on the space through late summer of 2009, with equipment installation beginning in September.