Warrington School pupils quickly warmed to the idea of sending their voices far and wide as they "shouted out" to friends and fellow pupils from the community radio station's base at the school.
The station started after various groups got together late last year and secured funding from the Waikouaiti Community Board for equipment.
The group got another boost when the school's board of trustees agreed to meet operating costs for the first year.
Principal Nathan Parker said a 15m aerial was installed last month and the station was in "test phase" as everyone got to grips with the new technology.
"None of us had any idea what it was going to entail," he said.
However, people had "come out of the woodwork" and were offering their skills to help the station go live.
It would be aligned with Palmerston's Puketapu Radio and would feature local news and events.
The community and Warrington and Waitati school pupils would be able to use the station.
It was hoped it would be running properly by the end of the month, Mr Parker said.
