KNSU, the non-commercial FM station licensed to Nicholls, has been hampered by equipment damages since lightning struck Talbot Hall in April. At the time, KNSU had just completed repairs following another lightning strike in September of 2000. April’s strike damaged KNSU’s amplifier, switcher and its on-air computer. The computer is programmed to play songs when DJ’s are unavailable, such as in the middle of the night and on weekends.

The computer holds a database of KNSU’s more popular songs, both older and more current. It can be programmed to play these songs in any order and can run the station without live talent for up to a week at a time.

Since the computer went out, KNSU has been forced to sign off at midnight on weeknights and has been mostly silent on weekends.

Now the computer is fixed, and KNSU will be returning to non-stop broadcasting within the next two weeks.

“We’d like to go back to 24-hour broadcasting as soon as possible, but with so many new songs that need to be recorded [in the computer], it is delaying us,” Rafael Llanos, KNSU station manager, said.

Llanos sent the computer off for repair in July. It was returned last Thursday. “[The computer] is very vital to our organization,” Llanos said. “Students are up late studying or going out, and it’s hard to find DJ’s for those hours and on weekends. With the computer, Nicholls students can enjoy our programming even when no one is in the station.”

KNSU, or “The Edge,” programs a modern rock/alternative music format. It broadcasts on 91.5 FM.