Online AM Guide

Online AM Guide

This guide aims to make your life as an AM trainee a little less stressful by documenting:

  • What you need to do as an AM DJ
  • How to work the board
  • The general layout of the station
  • How to structure your show
  • The rules of the station and FCC

AM Program Overview

Before we get into how to work the equipment, here are the different components of AM training:

  1. AM Shows
  2. Staff Participation
  3. FM Shadowing
  4. Mission Control
  5. Midway/Final Checks

All of the above need to be completed to become an FM DJ with WUVT.

AM Shows

Your first priority is the show you run in the AM studio. These are once a week for 1.5 hours with a partner, or 45 minutes if you're by yourself. You can go for the full 1.5 hours if you'd like, but it's optional.

It's advised to make up any shows you miss because it's important to get as much time in the AM studio as possible. If you know you're going to have to miss a show, let the AMPD know as soon as possible.

Staff Participation

Aside from your shows, AM DJs are required to participate in an active staff at WUVT.

Below is a list of our staffs. Contact info for the staffheads can be found on our contact page at wuvt.vt.edu.

Feel free to join more than one staff!

  • News - Participate in WUVT's 5:00 news break and read news, weather, and sports announcements.
  • Weather - Help the weather team report Blacksburg's and the greater New River Valley's weather on-air at 5 PM every weekday.
  • Events - Book bands for WUVT and help set up for shows.
  • Promotions - Help promote WUVT events by hanging posters, making videos, and managing social media accounts.
  • Social Media - Help make videos for WUVT social media.
  • Music - Write reviews for new music adds submitted to the station.
  • Art - Design posters, t-shirts, and all Radiothon premiums.
  • Woove - Create content for WUVT's literary magazine. Poetry, reviews, and general music are encouraged.
  • Multimedia - Film and edit WUVT content, like event pictures and concert videos.
  • Web - Help with publishing articles to the WUVT website.
  • Engineering/Production - Keep WUVT's hardware functioning and run sound for live events.
  • IT - Learn about WUVT's computing environment and contribute to cool open source projects.

The current AMPD will check in with the staffheads at the end of the semester to see who's been active, so put yourself out there. Make some friends! Building connections with other people in the station is one of the core goals of AM training.

FM Shadowing

At the start of your training for the semester, you'll need to shadow one of our FM DJs as they do their show.

Most AMs will shadow the FM scheduled at their corresponding time slot, but you also have the option to shadow another DJ if you'd like.

Regardless, definitely get this done early on. Watching someone else operating the board equipment can help with the learning process.

Additionally, it can be valuable to take some time during shadowing to look at the station's library and get an idea of what you can play during your sets.

Mission Control

During Radiothon, AMs serve as Mission Control staff.

All this means is that you'll sit in the FM studio with an FM DJ as they do their show and answer the phones when people call in to make donations.

More information about this will be available when Radiothon gets closer.

Midway Checks and Final Checks

Twice during the training program, the AMPD will gauge how prepared you are for FM radio.

This occurs:

  • Once halfway through the semester
  • Once at the very end

This just means you'll sit down for about 10 minutes in the AM studio and demonstrate the basics of how to run a show:

  • Using the mics
  • Using the CD players
  • Using the turntables
  • Cueing tracks
  • What to say
  • Other operational basics

This is super low stress, and if you've been regularly attending your AM show and putting in the work to learn, you'll be fine.

That's it for the program overview!

The rest of this guide will give insight into running a show.

Format

The format of your show is a simple thing.

Top of the Hour - Say the legal ID: > "You are listening to WUVT FM 90.7 Blacksburg, and 101.9 in Roanoke." - Record it in the logs through the Google Form on the computer.

15-Minute Mark - Read a PSA from the PSA book. - Log it.

30-Minute Mark - Describe the weather. - You can look it up on one of the monitors or use your phone. - Log it.

45-Minute Mark - Say another PSA. - Log it.

This is the basic format you need to adhere to while broadcasting your show.

You are free to talk at other times besides those stated.

Timing Flexibility

We do allow some breathing room when it comes to this format.

You may say the PSAs, ID, or weather within six minutes before or after the specified time.

For example, a PSA intended for the 15-minute mark could be read at :09 if you choose to.

Whenever you read the Station ID, a PSA, or the weather, make sure to record it in the logs.

The Board

The board is the central piece of equipment that you'll use to run your shows.

Faders and Buttons

To broadcast music from any source:

  1. Hit the ON button at the bottom of the board.
  2. Push the fader up to about the dot on the scale.
  3. Adjust until your audio peaks at the 0 level.

To turn off a source:

  1. Hit the OFF button below the ON button.

This can feel intimidating at first, but with some experimenting, you'll figure it out quickly.

Level Needles

The levels of the music you're playing are indicated by the needles at the top of the board.

These needles should not go into the red zone.

They should max out a little before then, at "0".

Why does this matter?

  • Keeps all music at a consistent volume for listeners.
  • Prevents clipping and distortion.
  • Protects broadcast audio quality.

Control Knobs

The control knobs adjust volume for you, not for the broadcast.

Located on the far right of the board:

  • CR = Control Room volume
  • Hdpn = Headphones volume
  • Studio = Does nothing
  • Cue = Cue volume

Equipment

CDs and CD Players

These players are listed on the board as:

  • CD 1
  • CD 2
  • CD 3

How to Use Them

Load a CD - Insert a CD into the slot.

Cue a Track - Enter the track number using the number keys. - Press Pause to cue the track. - The duration should appear on screen.

Play the Track - Press the red button on the board for the CD slider. - Raise the slider until the music reaches the proper level.

Best Practices

  • Bookmark where you removed a CD from.
  • Use another CD as a placeholder if necessary.
  • Handle CDs by the edges.

Turntables

  • Left turntable = TT 1
  • Right turntable = TT 2

Controls

On/Off - Turns the turntable on and off. - Red indicator light shows power status. - Turn it off after your show.

Start/Stop - Starts or stops playback.

  • 33 / 45
  • Sets RPM.
  • Usually use 33 RPM.

Pitch - Lets you adjust playback speed.

Important Warning

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE TURNTABLES!

They are expensive and difficult to replace.

  • Do not set items on top of the felt covers.
  • Do not place anything on the turntables themselves.
  • Be careful with the needle.

Vinyl

Things to know:

  1. Do not drop records.
  2. Do not touch the front or back surfaces.
  3. Be gentle with the needle.
  4. Pay attention to track gaps.

If You Break a Record

Tell either:

  • The AMPD
  • Len (Librarian)

Accidents happen. Please report them.

Microphones

Microphones are simple:

  1. Turn them on.
  2. Raise the fader.
  3. Speak.

Things to Keep in Mind

Fading - Fade up slowly before speaking.

Speakers - Studio speakers mute when a mic is active. - Broadcast audio is still going out.

Headphones - Wear them while talking. - Helps balance voice and bed music.

Avoid Filler Words - Ummm... - Ahhh... - Yeah...

Silence over bed music is usually better than excessive fillers.

Misc Skills

Cueing

What Is Cueing?

Cueing allows you to listen to audio in the studio without broadcasting it.

Uses include:

  • Previewing music
  • Checking songs for FCC issues
  • Matching transitions
  • Cueing vinyl

How to Cue

  1. Find the track.
  2. Press the Cue button above the relevant fader.
  3. Start playback.
  4. Adjust volume using:
  5. Cue knob
  6. Headphones

Always make sure the fader is OFF or down.

Otherwise, the audio will still broadcast.

Cueing Vinyl

  1. Place record on turntable.
  2. Set needle at desired groove.
  3. Press Cue for that turntable.
  4. Make sure the fader is OFF.
  5. Start turntable.
  6. Listen through cue speaker.
  7. Stop at song start.
  8. Rotate slightly backward to the beginning.
  9. Turn Cue off.

The record is now ready for air.

Fading

Smooth Fade

  • Lower the current song slowly.
  • Raise the next song simultaneously.

Harsh Fade

  • Prepare next song.
  • Instantly switch when current track ends.

Preferred Fade

  1. About 20 seconds before the song ends:
  2. Raise the next track.
  3. Let both play briefly together.
  4. Lower the first track.

Benefits:

  • Minimal dead air
  • Smooth transitions
  • Occasional magic

Bed Music

Bed music is your friend.

What Is Bed Music?

Usually instrumental music played underneath:

  • PSAs
  • Legal IDs
  • Weather reports
  • Other talking segments

Benefits:

  • Prevents dead air
  • Covers mistakes
  • Gives you time to think

Logging

You do not need to log bed music.

Trackman: Logs and Automation

Logging tracks is simple with Trackman.

Add songs when they go on air.

Purpose:

  • Public song history
  • Legal compliance
  • Tracking music played

After Your Show

If there isn't another DJ:

  1. Click Start Automation
  2. Pot up the Automation fader

Don't forget this step.

Troubleshooting

The Turntable Won't Work

  • Is it powered on?
  • Check the On/Off dial.

The Turntable Spins but No Audio Plays

  1. Is the yellow button on?
  2. Is the cue lever up?

The CD Player Is Broken

  1. Is it powered on?
  2. Press the rectangular power button.
  3. Try another CD to rule out disc issues.

The Headphones Aren't Working

  • Check connections.
  • Unplug and reconnect.

The Computer Is Broken

  • Is it on?
  • Hold the power button.

Important Note

Please avoid damaging equipment while troubleshooting.

If the guide doesn't solve the issue:

  • Contact the AMPD
  • Find an FM DJ
  • Find a staffhead
  • Message #engineering on Slack

Always troubleshoot before requesting engineering assistance.

Stacks

EXPLORE! EXPLORE! EXPLORE!

WUVT is a wonderful place to discover music.

This is one reason the AM studio does not have an AUX cord.

Use AM training as an opportunity to explore the library in a low-stakes environment.

Rules

Be mindful of all station and FCC rules.

You cannot play obscene material outside safe harbor hours (10 PM to 6 AM).

When applicable, advise listeners:

"Music you hear may contain strong or suggestive language."

Music cannot contain sounds of drug use.

WUVT does not tolerate:

  • Indecent language
  • Obscene language
  • Degrading people or groups

Violation fines can exceed $250,000.

Ask the AMPD if you need clarification.

Station Rules

  1. No drug or alcohol use in the station.
  2. No food or drinks past the lounge area.
  3. An FM DJ must be present.
  4. No swearing on air.
  5. No calls to action except approved circumstances.
  6. No stealing or removing music from the station.
  7. Be respectful.

Theft Policy

0-Tolerance Policy

This includes "borrowing."

Consequences:

  • Permanent station ban

Library Care

  • Return CDs where they belong.
  • Alphabetize properly.
  • Don't leave cases lying around.

Respect the Space

  • Watch your volume when FM is live.
  • Respect ON AIR indicators.
  • Keep the station clean.

Respect Others

Hate speech, harassment, and malicious behavior are unacceptable.

You may report issues through:

  • Anonymous Slack reporting form
  • AMPD
  • GM

Other Questions or Concerns

If you have questions:

  • Email: am@wuvt.vt.edu
  • Send a message in WUVT Slack

FM DJs and staffheads are also happy to help.

FAQs

Q: Will you be with us during our first few shows in the AM studio?

A: After orientation, it will just be you and your partner (if applicable).

To prepare:

  • Complete FM shadowing early.
  • Observe how FM shows are run.
  • Apply what you learn in the AM studio.

Q: I'm not going to be able to come in this week. What should I do?

A: Message the AM Slack channel or the AMPD directly.

Q: My co-host and I arrived, but the door was locked. What should we do?

A:

  1. Call the FM studio:
  2. 540-231-9888
  3. Or the business office:
  4. 540-231-9880

If no one answers:

  • Message the AMPD.
  • Let them know you arrived.

Remember: AM DJs cannot be in the station alone.

Q: How will I know if I passed my final check? When will I get a show?

A: You'll receive an email after all final checks are completed.

For FM shows:

  • Wait for FMPD show applications.
  • Apply when released.
  • If you don't get a slot immediately, apply again next semester.

Q: I have a question about a specific staff. What should I do?

A:

  • Attend staffhead office hours.
  • Email the staffhead.
  • Message them in Slack.

Updated September 2026 by VB