Frequently Asked Questions

1. I'd like to make a donation/contribution to help Jazz 98 acquire its equipment or help the station with its operating expenses. How do I make a donation or contribution?

You may click on a Donation Button or send your monetary donation/contribution payable to:

Columbus Jazz Alliance

P.O. Box 13682

Columbus, Ohio 43213

All donations/contributions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

2. What kind of jazz does Jazz 98 play?

Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP offers programming at various times of the day and week that includes music from most of the entire jazz and jazz sub-genre spectrum including, smooth jazz and it's similar forms such as, but not limited to;

Contemporary Jazz, Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk, Urban Contemporary Jazz, Acid Jazz, Nu Jazz; from Classic Jazz and its similar forms such as Bebop, Big Band, Straight-ahead, Ragtime and Trad; from ethnic forms such as Asian Jazz, Latin

Jazz and Gospel jazz; and from other sub-genres. We also include in our playlist music we like to refer to as Jazz Influenced Music (including but not limited to Blues, etc.) and Jazz Flavored Classic R&B. For a list of styles please visit our Jazz Styles page.

If you have a preference of one style of jazz over another, Jazz 98.5 offers listeners a choice dedicated or close to the style they might prefer. We offer different shows that feature many individual Jazz styles that include Classic Jazz styles, Smooth/Urban Contemporary Jazz styles, Blues and Jazz Flavored Classic R&B. Visit our Schedule page to review and discover the music style and time the shows you wish to hear are broadcast.

In addition, you'll find a 24 hour stream of our live hosted over-the-air broadcast which is often referred to as our terrestrial broadcast. This stream is the live hosted broadcast people hear when they tune to our 98.5 FM broadcast on their car or home radio. You can also use TuneIn App.

3. Does Jazz 98 play other types of music?

Jazz 98 maintains primarily a jazz music format however, Jazz 98 plays the music of Homegrown musicians, whose music may venture into other styles. We do so because we also support the music offerings of our local musicians. In doing so, you'll find other styles that include R&B, Blues, Gospel and even some Rock or Jazz Rock. After all jazz does have both a Gospel Jazz and Jazz Rock sub-genre. You'll also find Blues and Gospel music being played as they closely resemble or are related to jazz. Again, we also include in our playlist music we like to refer to as Jazz Influenced Music and Jazz Flavored Classic R&B. If you have a preference of one style of jazz over another, Jazz 98.5 offers listeners a choice dedicated or close to the style they might prefer. We offer several shows classified by the general jazz styles that include Classic Jazz styles, Smooth/Urban Contemporary Jazz styles, the music of our Homegrown musicians, Blues, Straight Ahead, Gospel Jazz and Classic R&B.

4. What's the difference between a commercial radio station and a non-commercial community radio station?

Commercial Radio sells advertising using a sales force, charges promotional fees, and involves itself in many ways associated with a profit making business. Non-commercial FM stations (non-profit) are very similar in practice except that all of their income is turned back into the corporation for station growth, upgrades, repairs, salaries, etc. so that the station will never realize a profit. All income is re-invested into the corporation.

Commercial stations provide advertising while Non-commercial stations provide underwriting. Underwriting is very similar but has a few restrictions on how it phrases the information yet, its still very effective and much more cost effective.

5. How much of Columbus does the Jazz 98 signal cover?

You'll be able to hear the Jazz 98 signal throughout a great deal of Franklin county and outside of the I-270 corridor. Because our antenna facility is located on the east side of town, our station will be heard much better in those areas than on the west and northwest side of the city.

6. Can I advertise on Jazz 98?

You can underwrite on Jazz 98. Advertising is a term used by commercial radio stations. Jazz 98 is a non-profit, non- commercial educational radio station and uses the term underwriting to describe the service we provide for getting your information or message out to our listening audience. Please visit our Underwriting page.

7. What's the difference between underwriting and advertising?

By definition, program underwriting is a financial contribution made in support of specific programming. When providing on-air funding acknowledgments, FCC regulations require that stations like WSAX-LP limit such announcements to identification and information purposes only. There are specific rules that limit things that can be said in underwriting messages. Underwriting cannot be “promotional,” but they are still very effective. Please see our Underwriting Facts.

When treated as either a charitable contribution or as a business expense, underwriting is tax deductible, so you get more than a good feeling. You make the most cost-effective use of your discretionary advertising dollar. Please visit our Underwriting Facts page.

Commercial advertising is promotional in nature and has few to no limits in how a message is crafted and delivered.

8. How does the Jazz 98 underwriting rates compare to commercial advertising rates?

Jazz 98 underwriting rates are very competitive, typically less expensive and more cost effective. Please refer to our Rates.

9. Does Jazz 98 provide remote broadcasting for events?

Yes, usually for non-profit events and community festivals. Because of FCC rules, while we do so, we take caution in providing remote broadcasts for commercial "for-profit" organizations.

10. Can I hear the music of Local Musicians on Jazz 98?

Jazz 98 regularly plays the music of our homegrown and local musicians. At least 25% of our daily playlist consists of the music of our homegrown and local musicians.

11. I'm a local musician. How do I get my music played on Jazz 98?

Send your audio CD to:

Music Director

Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX

P.O. Box 13682

Columbus, Ohio 43213

12. How do I volunteer for Jazz 98?

Complete and submit a Volunteer Application. Please visit our Volunteer Application page.

13. What volunteer opportunities are currently available on Jazz 98?

Jazz 98 is always looking for people interested in volunteering and sharing their expertise. We often have positions open. Please see our Volunteer Opportunities.

14. Can I pick up Jazz 98 in my house. Can you increase the power or raise the antenna height?

Often a common question and concern of listeners, we anticipate incorporating the best technology available to achieve the best and maximum reach available, along with the broadcast quality and integrity possible. We anticipate you'll receive good reception.

As a general rule, Low Power stations are authorized for non-commercial educational broadcasting only (no commercial operation) and operate with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 watts (0.1 kilowatts) or less, with maximum facilities of 100 watts ERP at 30 meters (100 feet) antenna height above average terrain (HAAT).

15. How can I listen to Jazz 98 if I can't get it over the radio?

Feel free to listen online on your computer or portable device via our webstream. You can listen from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection. Click the tab or link titled: “Listen”. Once there, you can choose to listen using the Jazz 98 custom media player. Click the radio player play button and you will be listening live. Optionally, on the bottom of every web page is a "Listen Live" button that when clicked, will automatically start the custom radio player stream.

You can also use Tunein to listen to our broadcast via the web or on you mobile device.

16. How can I sponsor a show on Jazz 98?

If you would like to sponsor broadcast time or a specific show on Jazz 98, please feel free to contact us at sponsor@myjazz98.com

At Jazz 98.5 FM, we understand and respect that people are often more inclined to donate to causes such as helping to cure diseases, famine or other maladies or calamities.

At Jazz 98.5 FM, we realize that we're not curing some life threatening or debilitating disease but, we are helping to cure a form of misinformation as it relates to the arts and specifically, the art of jazz music. We help introduce the music and provide education and awareness to develop our student's musical ability and appreciation. We're doing our part in keeping the pipeline full of future jazz musicians and above all, keeping jazz alive and on the radio in Central Ohio.

Please give so we can continue to provide more music education opportunities to children, as well as help people to discover and appreciate the art of America's contribution to the arts, Jazz!