We began as an idea in 1999 when local community activists learned the Federal Communications Commission would soon open up the “public” airwaves to Low Power FM community stations. These new stations would be considered a “secondary service” with very limited rights. In 2000, Thin Air became a formal project of Citizens for Clean Air. Thin Air was built almost entirely by hundreds of volunteers donating thousands of hours and $40,000 in donations. In 2003, we raised more than 100 Founding Members, emphasizing our mission of providing a platform for neglected voices and music. After waiting nearly two years to receive the permit from the FCC, the station was built in only 8 months. Broadcasting began October 26th, 2003 with a dozen live programs hosted by volunteers from the community. In our short time on-the-air, our hard-working volunteers have trained dozens of volunteer programmers, and we now have more than 40 live, locally produced shows on-the-air. We are proud that we have successfully created a forum for discussion and expression by and for those typically left out of the mainstream media. November 5th, 2011, Thin Air Radio became a full power, non-commercial station, broadcasting with 6,800 watts and reaching as far north as Kettle Falls, WA.
