Installation has began on a new broadcasting medium that will take Iowa State’s student-run radio station, KURE (88.5 FM), into the homes of radio listeners all around the world.

The radio station is beginning work on its new Internet programming, webradio.com, which is expected to be up and running the first week in February.

Lewis Hendrickson, general manager of KURE and senior in accounting, said he believes the installation is a step toward the future for the station.

KURE Web Director Meg Osfar also expressed enthusiasm for the new program, and said there won’t be any time wasted in getting webradio.com set up.

“I don’t anticipate us sitting on this one for very long,” said Osfar, junior in computer science. “We hope to get it going within the next two weeks.”

Hendrickson said it will be fairly easy to access KURE via the Web.

“We don’t have our address yet, but there will be a link off of our Web page; just click on that, and it goes right to it,” he said. “Eventually, we will be able to take e-mail requests from our listeners, so the DJs can play requests online, too.”

KURE will have its same basic programming, but there are going to be a few new shows added just for the webradio.com broadcasting. Hendrickson said this carries the potential for more employment at the station in the future.

One of the improvements the station will be able to make because of its Internet connection is the broadcasting of ISU sporting events.

“From a sports point of view, there will be more opportunities,” Hendrickson said. “We get calls from parents saying they missed the hockey game. This will be a way that the audience can catch it again.”

In addition to ISU hockey games, the Web station will feature rebroadcasts of football games and both men’s and women’s basketball games. Hendrickson also said he hopes the Internet access will increase listenership among alumni.

“What we’re hoping is that more adults at the office will be able to tune in. If you don’t like the office station, tune in to ours on your computer,” he said.

Hendrickson also said since KURE is increasing in market potential, it will be receiving more products to use as giveaways to listeners, and better-known bands will be in contact with the station.

Webradio has provided KURE with all of the necessary start-up materials, which means that the decision to go online has not cost the station any money.

Hendrickson said KURE is one of the first 100 stations in the world to go online.

“With the work we’re doing with [STV-9] and providing music for their broadcasts, this means that we are going over three mediums,” he said.

He said out of the 15,000 stations that are online, only 5 percent are broadcast over three mediums.

“This is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “We are broadening our horizons.”