Last month, Spirit 91.9 FM in Valentine, NE began broadcasting.
This week, Spirit 91.5 FM began broadcasting from O’Neill, NE!
The signal will reach Amelia, Atkinson, Stuart, Butte, Lynch, Spencer, and surrounding areas. The SCRN, which recently celebrated 25 years of broadcasting the Gospel message, has a strong history of growth and support in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest and is modeled by Catholic radio stations across the country as a leader in how to operate as a local community station. The Construction Permit granted by the FCC allows the full output of the transmitter to reach a wattage of 1,200 at 250 feet with about a 40-mile radius for in-vehicle coverage.
The total cost of the project, including the purchase and installation of a new transmitter, antenna, transmission line and other radio equipment, was just over $50,000. An anonymous donor family from Nebraska had generously put up a $25,000 gift if it could be matched by people from the O’Neill area, which they were able to do last year. SCRN hopes to raise an additional $8,400 to help cover the first year’s operating expenses. The SCRN operates as a not-for-profit network and donations are gratefully accepted to help defray the costs.
The SCRN is an affiliate of the EWTN Radio network and broadcasts a variety of programming, including national programs with popular Catholic hosts on topics such as faith, family and relationships, current events as well as prayer and devotions. The SCRN also airs Nebraska-based programs including, Spirit Mornings with Jen Brown and Bruce McGregor, an energetic show heard Monday – Friday from 7-9 a.m. to kick-start the day. Over 28 hours a week of programming is produced locally from Nebraska sources including daily mass and the rosary recited by the three Nebraska bishops. “I encourage you to tune into Spirit Catholic Radio where you will find programming that will help deepen an encounter with the risen Jesus.” – George J. Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha.
The SCRN includes 18 signals across the state of Nebraska and portions of six other states currently. One additional signal (Ogallala) will be built and will join the network in the coming months. The SCRN reaches more than 2.1 million people in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Missouri. Listeners can access archived podcasts and a live internet stream here and download the Spirit Catholic Radio smartphone app.
