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{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}}
{{Infobox Radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WCNI
| name = WCNI
| image = WCNI logo.jpg
| logo = WCNI logo.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[New London, Connecticut]]
| city = [[New London, Connecticut]]
| area = [[Template:New London Radio|New London area]]
| area = [[Template:New London Radio|New London area]]
| slogan =
| branding = ''Radio Club''
| branding = ''Radio Club''
| frequency = 90.9 MHz
| frequency = 90.9 [[MHz]]
| airdate = 1974
| airdate = [[1974 in radio|1974]]
| format = Freeform
| share =
| power =
| share as of =
| erp = 2,000 watts (vertical polarization only)
| share source =
| haat = 57 meters
| format = [[Freeform (radio format)|Freeform]]
| class = A
| power =
| facility_id = 13621
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|22|53|N| 72|6|28|W|region:US-CT_type:landmark}}
| erp = 2,000 [[watt]]s (vertical polarization only)
⚫
| callsign_meaning =
| haat = 57 meters
⚫
| former_callsigns =
⚫
| class = A
| facility_id = 13621
| owner = Connecticut College Community Radio, Inc.
⚫
| licensee =
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|22|53|N| 72|6|28|W|region:US-CT_type:landmark}}
⚫
| sister_stations =
⚫
| callsign_meaning =
| webcast = {{iHeartRadio|wcni-ground-zero-radio-5249}}
⚫
| former_callsigns =
| owner = Connecticut College Community Radio, Inc.
| website = [http://www.wcniradio.org wcniradio.org]
| licensee =
| affiliations =
⚫
| sister_stations =
| webcast = [http://video.conncoll.edu/wcni/wcni_live.html Listen Live]
⚫
| website = [http://www.wcniradio.org wcniradio.org]
| affiliations =
}}
}}


'''WCNI''' (90.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[radio station]] broadcasting a [[Freeform (radio format)|Freeform]] format. Licensed to [[New London, Connecticut]], United States, the station serves the New London area. The station is owned by Connecticut College Community Radio, Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WCNI |title=WCNI Facility Record |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division }}</ref> It is operated by students and community members from [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] and surrounding towns. The station features in eclectic musical genres that are less often heard on the majority of radio stations.
'''WCNI''' (90.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a radio station broadcasting a freeform format and licensed to [[New London, Connecticut]], serving the New London area. The station is owned by Connecticut College Community Radio, Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WCNI |title=WCNI Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}</ref> and is operated by students and members of the community. The station features eclectic musical genres that are less often heard on the majority of radio stations.


==History==
==History==
WCNI was originally an on-campus AM radio station broadcast to [[Connecticut College]] students and staff via low-power carrier current transmitters placed in college dormitories and facilities. Although the presence of the station encouraged engagement in media arts the quality of its signal was typically poor and its interference with the broadcast signal of New York City's [[WNBC (AM)|WNBC]] led to students sometimes turning off the transmitters in their dormitories - most notably during broadcasts of [[New York Rangers]] hockey games. This led to an application being filed with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) on August 10, 1972 for 89.9 MHz. After a series of opposition letters were filed by WGAL Television, Inc., owner of [[WLNE-TV|WTEV-TV]]/6-New Bedford, Massachusetts, Connecticut College modified their request to 91.5 MHz on May 10, 1973. A construction permit was finally granted on October 3, 1973 to allow WCNI to broadcast on 91.5 MHz.<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=69978 WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref> The application was filed by the Connecticut College Broadcast Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation established to limit the college's liabilities from the station's broadcasts to the general public.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} The callsign was assigned by the FCC on March 11, 1974.<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=69978 WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref>
WCNI was originally an on-campus AM radio station broadcast to [[Connecticut College]] students and staff via low-power carrier current transmitters placed in college dormitories and facilities. The presence of the station encouraged engagement in media arts, although the quality of its signal was typically poor and its interference with the broadcast signal of New York City's [[WNBC (AM)|WNBC]] led to students sometimes turning off the transmitters in their dormitories. The station filed an application with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) on August 10, 1972 for 89.9&nbsp;MHz. A series of opposition letters were filed by WGAL Television, Inc., owner of [[WLNE-TV|WTEV]]/6 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, so Connecticut College modified their request to 91.5&nbsp;MHz on May 10, 1973. A construction permit was finally granted on October 3, 1973 to allow WCNI to transmit on 91.5&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=69978 WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref> The application was filed by the Connecticut College Broadcast Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation established to limit the college's liabilities from the station's broadcasts to the general public.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} The call sign was assigned by the FCC on March 11, 1974.<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=69978 WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref>


In 1974 WCNI made its debut on 91.5&nbsp;MHz with ten watts of transmission power, one of a wave of college radio stations introduced in that era using low-power FM transmission facilities. Early station promotional spots created by student and staff member Ken Abel hailed it as having "less power than a common light bulb." Subsequent increases in transmission power led to a reassignment of its frequency to 91.1 MHz and eventually to the current 90.9 MHz. The original antenna tower for FM transmissions was erected atop Bill Hall on the Connecticut College campus using as its base a [[World War II]] air raid siren tower modified by Connecticut College maintenance staff to hold a steel pipe that acted as an antenna mast. The antenna was subsequently relocated to a professionally installed tower next to the Crozier-Williams student center on the Connecticut College campus, adjacent to the station's studios and recording archives.
In 1974, WCNI made its debut on 91.5&nbsp;MHz with ten watts of transmission power, one of a wave of college radio stations introduced in that era using low-power FM transmission facilities. Early station promotional spots created by student and staff member Ken Abel hailed it as having "less power than a common light bulb." Subsequent increases in transmission power led to a reassignment of its frequency to 91.1&nbsp;MHz and eventually to the current 90.9&nbsp;MHz. The original antenna tower for FM transmissions was erected atop Bill Hall on the Connecticut College campus using a World War II air raid siren tower as its base, modified by Connecticut College maintenance staff to hold a steel pipe which acted as an antenna mast. The antenna was subsequently relocated to a professionally installed tower next to the Crozier-Williams student center on the Connecticut College campus, adjacent to the station's studios and recording archives.


Early broadcasts of the FM radio station were wide-ranging, including a variety of music genres, old radio serial dramas, local history and live performances. To raise funds for government-mandated emergency broadcast equipment, the station held its first on-air fund raising marathon in the spring of 1975. Although the early FM broadcast signal of WCNI was not strong, the station had a notable body of off-campus listeners in the New London area and its on-air staff included non-student members from that greater community. The eclectic nature of WCNI's broadcasts, its community involvement and the freedom of its staff to select interesting and wide-ranging music was well established from its early broadcasts and continues to this day.
Early broadcasts of the FM radio station were wide-ranging, including a variety of music genres, old radio serial dramas, local history, and live performances. To raise funds for government-mandated emergency broadcast equipment, the station held its first on-air fund raising marathon in the spring of 1975. The early FM broadcast signal of WCNI was not strong, but the station had a notable body of off-campus listeners in the New London area and its on-air staff included non-student members from the community.


For a period of time late in the [[Cold War]] era, the station's proximity to the U.S. Navy [[submarine base]] across the Thames River in Gales Ferry, Connecticut and the General Dynamics submarine manufacturing facility in Groton, Connecticut earned the station the informal moniker "Ground Zero Radio", in recognition of the region's presumed high priority as a Soviet nuclear strike site. <ref>[http://www.hartfordradiohistory.com/WCNI.html Hartford Radio History's entry for WCNI; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref>
The station's proximity to the U.S. Navy submarine base across the Thames River in Gales Ferry, Connecticut and to the General Dynamics submarine manufacturing facility in Groton led to its nickname "Ground Zero Radio", in recognition of the region's presumed high priority as a Soviet nuclear strike site.<ref>[http://www.hartfordradiohistory.com/WCNI.html Hartford Radio History's entry for WCNI; retrieved April 26, 2018.]</ref>
For a period of time in the 1980s, its moniker included "wind powered radio", in reference to a campus windmill that presumably generated the same amount of electricity that the station used.


==References==
==References==
Line 47: Line 42:


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
*{{Official website|http://www.wcniradio.org/}}
*{{FM station data|WCNI}}
*{{FM station data|13621|WCNI}}
{{clear}}{{New London Radio}}
{{clear}}{{New London Radio}}
{{Connecticut college radio}}
{{Connecticut college radio}}
Line 54: Line 50:
[[Category:Connecticut College]]
[[Category:Connecticut College]]
[[Category:New London, Connecticut]]
[[Category:New London, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Media in New London County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Mass media in New London County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:College radio stations in Connecticut|CNI]]
[[Category:College radio stations in Connecticut|CNI]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Connecticut|CNI]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Connecticut|CNI]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1972]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1974]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in Connecticut]]

Latest revision as of 10:56, 7 July 2024

WCNI
Broadcast areaNew London area
Frequency90.9 MHz
BrandingRadio Club
Programming
FormatFreeform
Ownership
OwnerConnecticut College Community Radio, Inc.
History
First air date
1974
Technical information
Facility ID13621
ClassA
ERP2,000 watts (vertical polarization only)
HAAT57 meters
Transmitter coordinates
41°22′53″N 72°6′28″W / 41.38139°N 72.10778°W / 41.38139; -72.10778
Links
WebcastListen live (via iHeartRadio)
Websitewcniradio.org

WCNI (90.9 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a freeform format and licensed to New London, Connecticut, serving the New London area. The station is owned by Connecticut College Community Radio, Inc.[1] and is operated by students and members of the community. The station features eclectic musical genres that are less often heard on the majority of radio stations.

History

[edit]

WCNI was originally an on-campus AM radio station broadcast to Connecticut College students and staff via low-power carrier current transmitters placed in college dormitories and facilities. The presence of the station encouraged engagement in media arts, although the quality of its signal was typically poor and its interference with the broadcast signal of New York City's WNBC led to students sometimes turning off the transmitters in their dormitories. The station filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on August 10, 1972 for 89.9 MHz. A series of opposition letters were filed by WGAL Television, Inc., owner of WTEV/6 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, so Connecticut College modified their request to 91.5 MHz on May 10, 1973. A construction permit was finally granted on October 3, 1973 to allow WCNI to transmit on 91.5 MHz.[2] The application was filed by the Connecticut College Broadcast Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation established to limit the college's liabilities from the station's broadcasts to the general public.[citation needed] The call sign was assigned by the FCC on March 11, 1974.[3]

In 1974, WCNI made its debut on 91.5 MHz with ten watts of transmission power, one of a wave of college radio stations introduced in that era using low-power FM transmission facilities. Early station promotional spots created by student and staff member Ken Abel hailed it as having "less power than a common light bulb." Subsequent increases in transmission power led to a reassignment of its frequency to 91.1 MHz and eventually to the current 90.9 MHz. The original antenna tower for FM transmissions was erected atop Bill Hall on the Connecticut College campus using a World War II air raid siren tower as its base, modified by Connecticut College maintenance staff to hold a steel pipe which acted as an antenna mast. The antenna was subsequently relocated to a professionally installed tower next to the Crozier-Williams student center on the Connecticut College campus, adjacent to the station's studios and recording archives.

Early broadcasts of the FM radio station were wide-ranging, including a variety of music genres, old radio serial dramas, local history, and live performances. To raise funds for government-mandated emergency broadcast equipment, the station held its first on-air fund raising marathon in the spring of 1975. The early FM broadcast signal of WCNI was not strong, but the station had a notable body of off-campus listeners in the New London area and its on-air staff included non-student members from the community.

The station's proximity to the U.S. Navy submarine base across the Thames River in Gales Ferry, Connecticut and to the General Dynamics submarine manufacturing facility in Groton led to its nickname "Ground Zero Radio", in recognition of the region's presumed high priority as a Soviet nuclear strike site.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "WCNI Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. ^ WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.
  3. ^ WCNI's F.C.C. history card file; retrieved April 26, 2018.
  4. ^ Hartford Radio History's entry for WCNI; retrieved April 26, 2018.
[edit]
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