- Tradio
Tradio is the name given to a variety of programs heard on small radio stations, usually on the AM dial, where listeners call in to buy or sell items. [cite news | title=Weekend: Listen up! | work=The Courier | date=2008-08-03 | url=http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2008/Aug/03/ar_news_080308_story6.asp?d=080308_story6,2008,Aug,03&c=n | accessdate=2008-09-04 ] The name "tradio" is a
portmanteau of "trade" and "radio." The concept of tradio is analogous to classified ads in local newspapers.The format is also often called Swap Shop, Buy Sell or Trade or Trading Post.
Format
Most tradio programs follow a similar format to each other. Callers are given a studio line in which they can call in and advertise, for free, a limited number of items for sale, or request an item to purchase from another listener. The caller then gives a phone number so that other listeners can contact the person for further information. With the rise of
e-mail and other electronic media, most stations permit the sending in of items to sell via e-mail or fax. Most stations also permit listeners to send lists of items through postal mail.There are usually some limits to what can be bought and sold through tradio programs. Most stations stipulate that only individuals, and no businesses, may use the tradio service, since the financial security of these small stations usually relies on the advertising dollars from these businesses. Federal regulations prohibit the sale of
firearms through these services;real estate is also usually not allowed on tradio programs. Restrictions on the sale ofautomobile s varies from station to station.The name "tradio" does not apply to any one particular program and there are no national or syndicated tradio programs. It is technically not a franchised format, either, because the format and name is not copyrighted or trademarked.
Typically tradio and similar programs are only heard on small, rural stations;
KDKA (AM) inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the largest market with a tradio program, and they air weekly on Saturdays. In smaller markets, tradio programs can air daily. The largest market with a daily tradio program isBuffalo, New York , where a version airs onWECK /WLVL .References
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