A one-day, on-air fund drive Nov. 29 raised $7,000 for upgrading the automation system at public radio station KHNS.

“It was pretty exciting,” said development director Leslie Ross. “This will get us on our way.”

The automation system serves as the station’s receiver and traffic controller and consists of two computers that operate continuously, a backup drive, and a software program. All station programming, except local, live feeds, are fed through the automation system, she said.

The current system was installed in 2007, but issues have developed with the software, which needs to be overhauled, and the computers need replacing, Ross said.

“It’s a heavily used system. If we go off the air, that’s the reason for it. Keeping programming on the air is the main reason for replacing this,” Ross said.

The revamped system also should allow the station to receive certain programming it couldn’t previously. The station was hoping to raise $10,000 but $7,000 should be enough to upgrade the system, Ross said.

Ross said new equipment should be in place within a year, if not sooner.