BOSSES at a Johnstone radio station are keen to hear from new recruits who want to make waves by joining their broadcasting team.

Johnstone Sound currently reaches its audience online but hopes to be available on DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) within the next year.

Moving to the new platform will allow it to reach a bigger audience and be more accessible to local listeners.

Alex Kerr, chairman of Johnstone Sound, told The Gazette: “Being available on DAB will open the floodgates.

“We are still working towards that but it will increase our listenership massively. We will be a bit more accessible to the older generation who may not be online but the output for the station will not change much.”

All of the existing staff have been broadcasting from home as a result of the lockdown restrictions but Alex insists this won’t prevent the team from being able to provide training for new members.

“We offer full support,” he said. “Some of our members have been in radio for many years and some are still working in the broadcast industry.

“We take the knowledge that we have and use that to help our new members produce radio shows.”

Johnstone Sound has played a valuable role in keeping the local community connected by broadcasting live events from various locations.

This includes providing live coverage of Johnstone Burgh’s matches before football at that level was put on hold due to the pandemic, as well as live services from St Margaret’s Church.

And bosses are open to new ideas as they look to expand their reach.

Alex said: “We are open to anything. We’ve been covering events that people cannot physically get to.

“We are planning to broadcast community council meetings too.”

Alex grew up in Johnstone and enjoys being part of the community through the radio station, especially at a time when lockdown has left so many people feeling isolated.

He added: “A lot of people are stuck at home.”

To offer your services, go online at https://johnstonesound.com/join-us/.
but being able to hear people they would normally speak to in the community can help them.”

“It can be entertaining for those in isolation to hear a familiar voice.”