Now we can say it. Ready? Five—four—three—two—one: WKDI is on the air!

After a four-month absence from cable lines and a hectic move, WKDI (93.5 FM cable) is all hooked up and settled into its new home and is broadcasting.

WKDI went whole-hog with a broadcast Wednesday around 3 p.m., kicking off their normal 24-hours-a-day format, with music and a DJ. Earlier this semester, the station was operating without DJs. Kevin Swallow, director of programming, got his full DJ staff and scheduling completed about two weeks ago. “We have more than enough DJs. We have 59 regular DJs and at least 10 alternates,” Swallow said. “Things are running kind of smoothly for rushing on the air. I was calling people Tuesday and Wednesday to tell them we were going on the air.”

Along with the station’s rebirth comes a few changes. First, they have a new building, the NIU broadcast center, 801 N. First St. “It’s clean, it’s more modern and all the equipment is brand new. We have more space to move around in. It’s not as crowded as the old building,” said Jen Fale, WKDI DJ.

Two new shows have been added to the station’s format: a reggae and an oldies show. WKDI also will be hosting local bands and, hopefully, big-name acts playing in DeKalb for in-studio interviews and performances.

Swallow said for the most part, they are pretty much over the hump. “We still have some things to iron out, like technical things. We only have one turntable working and the tape player only can record,” he said. General Manager Jason Kneen, however, is thrilled they finally got going. He said, “It’s about time is all I’ve got to say.”