A new addition is on the horizon for Salem's airwaves, but how soon it goes live depends on the success of an upcoming meeting.

KMUZ (think "muse" and "music"), also known as Radio Free Salem, holds its charter membership meeting on June 9. The group seeks volunteers to start building the radio station. The meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. at the Grand Theater, 187 High St NE, in Salem.

"We're looking for all kinds of volunteers: builders, website people, people who are good with electronics,"Karen McFarlane Holman, chairwoman of the project, said. "We're not ready for deejays, yet. We need to get a good, strong group of supporters for the station itself, who will take us through the steps of getting on the air."

The Salem Folklore Community (SFC) received a construction permit for a full-power FM radio station in the Salem area in August 2008. Organizers are currently securing a location for the broadcast studio. The FCC requires that the station go live before August 2011, but Holman anticipates KMUZ will be broadcasting well before then.

The meeting will solicit volunteers with a wide array of skills that include construction, grant writing, clerical work, graphic design, bookkeeping and others.

"It's time for people to invest in community ownership of the station," Holman said.

In addition to volunteer time, KMUZ asks for donations to help cover costs of broadcast equipment.

KMUZ will broadcast at 88.5 MHz. Holman said the station will serve as a beacon for local events, culture, news, ideas, and the arts.

The Salem Folklore Community (SFC) was established in 1981 with a mission to preserve, present and promote interest in folk music, dance, and the arts.