Radio-History.com | New Jersey FM Radio History

* Page 1 *

This page will attempt to showcase the histories of New Jersey FM Radio stations,
past and present.
Please feel free to e-mail me with any information you would like to contribute to this page and
you will be credited.

Some information provided by:

Bruce Elving's FMedia! newsletters, 1986-present

Dave Hughes' NYRTV website (no longer online)

Tom "LavPass"

AmericanRadioHistory.com

Do you, or anyone you know, work in NJ radio, either now or in the past?
Then...

is looking for you!

WYGG - 88.1 FM, Asbury Park
88.1 was originally allocated to Asbury Park on June 6, 1988.
After being granted the WYGG calls on February 22, 1991, 88.1 went on the air in June 1993 with an ethnic religious format.
This station also broadcasts with an illegal relay, also on 88.1, in the Brooklyn NY area.
Some newspaper articles on WYGG can be seen here.

WZBL - 88.1 FM, Barnegat Light
This station was originally allocated to Barnegat Light on October 22, 2007, was granted a CP on December 17, 2007 ... and finally received call letters of WZBL on December 12, 2010.
First day on the air: December 15, 2010.
88.1 is owned by the Hope Christian Church Of Marlton and relays the programming from their main station, WVBV 90.5, Medford Lakes.

WNJS - 88.1 FM, Berlin
88.1 was originally allocated to Berlin on November 22, 1989, was granted the WNJS calls on May 17, 1991 and went on the air on August 21, 1992 as a simulcast partner with WNJT (see below).
On July 1, 2011, WNJS began simulcasting the programming from WHYY in Philadelphia.

WJPG - 88.1 FM, Cape May Ct. House
88.1 was originally allocated to Cape May Ct. House on May 22, 1997, granted the WJPG calls on March 12, 2004, and currently simulcasts the Contemporary Christian programming from its primary station, WJPH, 89.9 in Woodbine NJ.
(Thanks to Kris Lane for the WJPG/WJPH logo)

WBEK - 88.1 FM, Cherry Hill
WBEK, owned by the Cherry Hill Twsp. Board Of Ed., was allocated to Cherry Hill on December 8, 1978 and went on the air on February 15, 1980 and featured a CHR format.
However, the FCC later deleted the station on November 2, 1989, probably as a result of the elimination of Class D 10 watt educational stations.

WDNJ - 88.1 FM, Hopatcong
This station, owned by Youngshine Media Inc., was granted the WDNJ calls on February 7, 2008; it was originally allocated to Hopatcong on November 4, 1999.
WDNJ went on the air in February 2009 with a Spanish Contemporary Christian format.

WPFR - 88.1 FM, Netcong
88.1, originally allocated to Netcong on April 14, 1992, was owned by Family Stations Inc. and granted the WPFR calls on September 15, 1993.
However, the station never came on the air and was deleted by the FCC on April 24, 1995.

WFDS - 88.1 FM, Pennsville
88.1 was allocated to Pennsville on October 22, 2007 and received call letters of WFDS on February 21, 2012.
WFDS is owned by Cheasapeake Catholic Radio Inc. and is expected to feature religious programming via EWTN.
WFDS signed on in April 2012.

WNJT - 88.1 FM, Trenton
WNJT was the flagship station for the NJN Radio Network.
88.1 was originally allocated to Trenton on November 22, 1989 and first went on the air on May 20, 1991 (after being granted the WNJT calls on March 14, 1991) with a very diversified format: rock/jazz/country/urban - you name it.
It then evolved into an NPR station, carrying their programming as well as other locally-produced shows.
WNJT also relays WBGO overnights (12am to 6am).
On July 1, 2011, WNJT, along with WNJY, WNJO, and WNJP were transferred to a new entity known as New Jersey Public Radio, run by New York station, WNYC.

WVBH - 88.3 FM, Beach Haven West
88.3 was granted the WVBH calls on April 28, 2000; it was originally allocated to Beach Haven West on Januray 23, 1998.
On March 4, 2003, WVBH went on the air simulcasting the Contemporary Christian format of WXHL in Christiana DE.

WBGO - 88.3 FM, Newark
WBGO signed on shortly after World War II, February 7, 1948.
It was originally an educational station owned by the Board of Education of the City of Newark.
It originally operated on 91.1 FM, moving to its current 88.3 frequency in the early 1950s.
WBGO operated only during school days and carried instructional, in-school programming, signing off by 3:30 or 4:30 PM. It identified itself as, "This is the FM station for the schools, WBGO, Newark" and as, "At 88.3 FM, this is WBGO, your school station in Newark."
The studios and tower were located at Central High School on High Street (now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard).
(The tower atop the high school can be seen by clicking here.)
WBGO ran 20,000 watts ERP from that site.
The tower is still standing, although the antenna has been removed from it.
When WBGO signed on in 1948, it utilized a home-built transmitter, since it was located in Central High School in Newark, which at the time was a Commercial and Technical school.
Ben Torre, who later became Chief Engineer, was with the station from that date till it became "Jazz 88."
Carl Barron, was the announcer for many years, followed by Walt Santner, from 1969 - 1971.
The Station Manager, was Marie C. Scanlon, who had been a high school music teacher.
Writers included June Cater, Margaret Manley, Chloie Ledderer who were teachers in the system.
The station won the Japan Prize in 1965, through the efforts of writer, producer, Norman Weiser, which sustained the station's existence through the early 1970s.
WBGO adapted itself to the changing culture of the city in the late 1960s, by broadcasting historic adaptations of famous African Americans.
The station later acquired an RCA transmitter, and was an early user of AMPEX tape recorders, though it had the capability of hot transcription production.
The station utilized portable equipment in 1970 to produce a series in co-operation with Turtle Back Zoo of the Essex County Park Commission to supplement its Summer Head Start broadcasts.
Jessie Owen was interviewed by a group of Central High School students when he came to the city to promote a book he had written.
WBGO did outside live broadcasts, including one honoring The Reverend Timothy Still when the Schoolman's Club presented a plaque in his honor at Quitmann Street School.
In co-operation with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a career series was produced at Newark Airport, where students interviewed different people about the work they did.
From time to time, special musical productions were recorded in studio.
Students from various schools each week during the school year participated in two live broadcasts.
A Radio workshop was conducted weekly after school each year.
WBGO had an RCA console in Master Control, and a Gates Board in a production facility; there was a large studio and a smaller one.
The tape library contained broadcasts as early as 1953.
Each year a catalogue was issued containing information for each series aired.
In addition to those produced by WBGO, others such as Tales From The Four Winds from WNYE, and WHA were heard also.
In 1978, the city sold WBGO to a nonprofit organization called Greater Newark Public Radio.
The studios were moved to their present location across from Military Park at 54 Park Place and the transmitter was moved to the top of an office building in downtown Newark.
(The 54 Park Pl. location can be seen by clicking here.)
The jazz format was introduced when the sale closed (April 1979) and WBGO became an affiliate of National Public Radio.
WBGO is a key source of jazz programming for NPR.
The calls, WBGO, originally stood for something else when they were first assigned, but later became the initials for 1978 founder Bob G. Ottenhoff.
(Thanks to Doug Douglass, Phil Galasso, Scott "Tilde" McCleary & Walt Santner for this information)

WNJP - 88.5 FM, Sussex
88.5 was granted the WNJP calls on July 30, 1992; it was originally allocated to Sussex on March 19, 1991.
They finally signed on in August of 1998 as a relay for WNJT (see above).
On July 1, 2011, WNJP, along with WNJY, WNJO, and WNJT were transferred to a new entity known as New Jersey Public Radio, run by New York station, WNYC.

WNJW - 88.7 FM, Franklin Lakes
This station started life as WRRH on February 22, 1963, owned by the Ramapo Board Of Education.
The station broadcasted in mono with 10 watts and 2 schools shared the same facilities: Ramapo Regional High School in Franklin Lakes (hence the calls of WRRH) and, starting in 1970, Indian Hills High School in Oakland.
The Franklin Lakes studio was run by Don Lohse, who also was involved with 1500 AM in Pompton Lakes, and Bruce Schmidlin.
Later, one of the teachers from Ramapo Regional took over: Bud VanGendren.
The Oakland studio was run by a teacher at Indian Hills: Al Evangelista.
WRRH's broadcasting times varied.
The Oakland studio operated originally from 3p-6p on Wednesday and Friday, then later expanded to 3p-11p.
The Franklin Lakes studio operated from 9a-6p Monday thru Friday, except when Oakland was on.
The station featured a mix of CHR and rock, plus featured all high school football and baseball games on tape delay.
In the mid-1980's, a license dispute ensued between WRRH and William Paterson College in Wayne, who had applied for 88.7.
Since WRRH was a 10 watt Class D station, the FCC didn't look favorably on the operation, especially since they were doing away with issuing Class D licenses at the time.
Ultimately, the dispute ended in a deadlock; the license was granted to William Paterson, however WRRH's was not revoked.
William Paterson gained a de facto victory when WPSC (see below) signed on in late 1988, and used their transmitter to overpower WRRH, thus effectively putting an end to the station.
It lay dormant until February 1993 when Bergen County Community Broadcasting Foundation (headed by Gerard Turro) bought the license, changed the calls to WJUX on May 26, 1993 and started an Adult Standards format.
He used this station as a stepping stone before transferring the format over to his 103.1 translator in Fort Lee, W276AQ.
(WJUX's 2nd St., Dumont location can be seen by clicking here.)
Calls were changed to WNJW on March 24, 1995, but then in May 1996, the station went dark and on January 30, 1998 was listed as deleted by the FCC (they also list the station as being on 88.9, not 88.7, but I assume that to be a mistake.)
(Some of WRRH's info provided by John Grubb - a former GM/PD/CE of WRRH, Scott Thompson - WRRH Station Manager 1970-1971 & David Zientara - a former WRRH staff member)

WRSU - 88.7 FM, New Brunswick
WRSU-AM went on the air on April 26, 1948 in the basement of a Rutgers dorm on 630 AM as a Carrier Current Station.
The First General Manager and Founder was Charles Brookwell '49.
In the early 1950's, the station moved to 680 on the AM band, and moved into the attic of 12 College Avenue in New Brunswick.
WRSU was a commercial station with national ads, and was part of the Mutual Radio Network.
In 1951, WCTC (1450, New Brunswick) allowed WRSU to simulcast its football coverage.
By 1954, WRSU was broadcasting football with its own announcers.
We had transmitters in most Rutgers and Douglas Dorms by the 1960s.
One transmitter was needed for each dorm.
The 'antenna' was the AC power line system (hence the term "Carrier Current.")
From talking to various Alumni over the years, the 1950s and 1960s format was a current Pop (Top 40ish) format.
WRSU covered all of Rutgers football, and basketball games, and various other sports: Soccer, Baseball, Hockey as time, budget, and personnel allowed.
In October 1962, WRSU was contacted by WJLK (Asbury Park) to provide quarterly reports of all University football games.
In October 1967, WRSU started feeding football games to WDHA (105.5, Dover).
In the late 60s and early 70s, the WRSU format drifted to a "progressive album" oriented format.
There are a few tapes form the early 1970s to indicate this.
By the mid 70's the progressive/free form format was deeply rooted, and today's programming still reflects that trend.
In 1971, the Rutgers Student Center at 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick was completed, and WRSU moved into new offices designed for a radio station.
WRSU continues to occupy the same studios today.
Since 1971, all studios have been rebuilt as the equipment aged, and needs changed.
On January 24, 1974, WRSU-FM went on the air at 88.7 Megahertz with 1350 watts ERP.
It had originally begun testing in 1972, but was causing interference to WPVI's signal from Philadelphia.
In October 1973, while doing more tests, the station's 88.7 signal was being picked up by the earphone jacks of the hearing aid units of hard-of-hearing youngsters at Piscataway's Conackamack School.
Mark Greenberg '75 was the original General Manager, and Richard Harvey '74 was the Chief Engineer.
At that time WRSU-FM went north about 20 miles, and south about 30.
Since then, several other 88.7 Megahertz stations went on, effectively diminishing the coverage.
WRSU-AM continued for a short time, as a station with a different schedule, sharing air staff, then became a simulcast operation.
WRSU-AM ceased operation in 1976.
Currently WRSU-FM is a volunteer (no school credit) non-commercial station licensed for 24 hours a day.
We are always looking for new staff.
Every year we lose about a quarter of the staff, so there is always opportunities to those who want to 'do radio'.
Our format varies...
Weekends has ethnic programming: Greek, Indian, Israeli, Polish, Hungarian, Irish to mention a few.
Weeknights is 'Community Affairs' with encompass Jazz, Doo Wop, Classical, Talk Shows, Hip Hop, Country, Blues, Local Music, among others.
The majority of the air time is occupied by a mix of Rock/Indie, Punk/Hardcore/Electronic/Urban Hip Hop.
WRSU-FM continues to cover all Rutgers Football and Men's and Women's Basketball, Home and Away, with our own air staff.
After all Football and Men's Basketball we have a sports call in talk show called "Knightline".
Knightline debuted in 1974.
Other sports coverage including Baseball, and Soccer is covered on campus, and away for play off games.
Sportscasts are usually done with the Newscasts.
WRSU-FM is a subscriber to AP wire service, and has newscasts at 12 noon and 10 PM weekdays.
WRSU-FM sent staff to both Democratic and Republican National Headquarters for the last presidential election.
Our physical plant consists of 2 Gates Transmitters (Main and Aux), with 3 Radio Studios, a News/Sports Room, a News Production facility, 2 Announce Booths, a Talk Studio/Office, Music Library, and Engineering Room.
(Thanks to Daniel Schleck, WRSU Alumni Chairman, and Steve Green, Rutgers Class Of 1979, for some of this information)

WEHA - 88.7 FM, Port Republic
This station, owned by the In His Sign Network (later renamed In His Name Broadcasting,) was granted the WIBF calls on March 22, 2000; it was originally allocated to Port Republic on August 7, 1997.
In March 2003, WIBF began testing with an R&B oldies format.
In April 2003, WIBF began a simulcast of the Contemporary Christian format of WXHL in Christiana DE.
Calls were changed to WXXY on May 16, 2003, and soon began programming an "all 80's" format.
WXXY added an additional frequency, 97.9, in May 2004, via W250AK in Rio Grande.
In August 2004, citing financial difficulties, WXXY switched to "Rejoice: Musical Soul Food", a black gospel format.
On June 17, 2008, 88.7 changed calls to WGXM and began a simulcast with University Of Dayton (Ohio)'s WUDR.
WGXM currently features a locally originated Gospel music format.
On July 15, 2009, 88.7 reverted back to the WXXY calls.
On August 1, 2009, 88.7 changed calls to WEHA.

WPSC - 88.7 FM, Wayne
WPSC went on the air in 1967 through closed circuit on campus to several buildings and then also as a carrier current station on 590 AM.
During the 1970s, WPSC-AM continued to broadcast on campus, both over the air and piped into various buildings on campus while the quest for an FM frequency in the very crowded NY/NJ market began.
For a time (1972�1974), WPSC also had an arrangement with WFMU to broadcast a weekly 2 hour pre-recorded program.
Between 1974 and 1978, programming expanded to include hourly newscasts, live sports events, campus and community affairs, celebrity interviews, radio plays, alternative comedy, live concerts and other events all created and produced in house.
Programming hours increased from 12 hours a day 5 days a week to 18 and a half hours 7 days a week.
Beginning in 1977, WPSC began broadcasting on UA Columbia Cablevision's Channel 3 bringing the station into tens of thousands of living rooms in Passaic, Morris, and Bergen Counties.
Programming was mostly AOR/Progressive Rock but also included some Top 40, Oldies, and Soul/R&B/Disco shows.
All programming reflected the choices of the DJs on the air during their shift and also included phoned in requests.
During this time, WPSC was entirely student staffed and operated with all funding coming from WPC's Student Government Association and supplemented by a small revenue stream from commercial advertising.
Faculty oversight and involvement was minimal to non existent.
88.7 was originally allocated to Wayne on March 30, 1982.
WPSC (William Paterson State College - now a university) was granted their call letters on March 10, 1988 and started broadcasting on November 1, 1988 with a CHR format as "Laser Hits 89 PSC."
In May 1993, they evolved into alternative, with an emphisis on showcasing local bands.
(Some of this info, courtesy of WPSC's Wikipedia page)

WAJM - 88.9 FM, Atlantic City
WAJM, broadcasting from Atlantic City High School, debuted in 1997 broadcasting a CHR format.
88.9 was granted the WAJM calls on November 21, 1994; it was originally allocated to Atlantic City on May 9, 1991.
The station is currently featuring an Urban format.

WMNJ - 88.9 FM, Madison
WMNJ, broadcasting from Tolley Hall at Drew University in Madison, first went on the air on September 15, 1980; the station was originally allocated to Madison on June 7, 1979.
Before that, the station started off as a carrier-current AM station in approximately the mid-1960's, with the WERD calls.
Over the years, WMNJ has aired various Drew and Madison-area sports programming, including basketball and football games.
At one point, the station called itself "The Parkway Of Rock" and would tell listeners that they're "getting off at Exit 88.9 on the FM dial."
The station featured an eclectic "freeform" format.
On November 16, 2011, WMNJ rescinded their license to the FCC.
(Thanks to former Drew alumni, Frank Forte & Robert Libkind, for this information)
(Thanks to Bert Morris, Drew Class of 1982, for some of this information)

WBZC - 88.9 FM, Pemberton
WBZC, from Burlington County College, initially started broadcasting in September 1994 with a part-time (6a-6p) classical format.
However, on January 24, 1995, they changed to their current mix of AAA and specialty programming.
88.9 was granted the WBZC calls on March 29, 1993; it was originally allocated to Pemberton on December 23, 1991.
In July 2000, WBZC began broadcasting on 95.1 via the W236AF translator, located on top of the Burlington-Bristol Bridge.
In late 2011, WBZC changed to a Dance music format.
(Thanks to Mark Fletcher for digging up some WBZC logos)
(Thanks to Scott "Tilde" McCleary for providing some of this information)

WMCX - 88.9 FM, West Long Branch
WMCX went on the air May 2, 1974 with 10 watts on 88.1 FM.
A fire destroyed the station on March 29, 1984, leaving WMCX inoperable until nearly a year later - March 6, 1985.
On December 4, 1988 WMCX moved to its current position of 88.9 FM, with 1000 watts.
WMCX features a mix of alternative rock and specialty shows.
(Thanks to the WMCX website for this information)

WOGH - 88.9 FM, West Orange
I don't know too much about this station, other than it was owned by the West Orange Board Of Ed., they applied for a minor modification to their CP on September 21, 1978 and the station's license was later cancelled in 1981.
If anyone has info on this station, please e-mail me at the address above.

WWCJ - 89.1 FM, Cape May
WWCJ is one of many stations and translators that simulcast WWFM's classical format from Trenton (see below).
89.1 was granted the WWCJ calls on January 10, 1997 and went on the air in September 1999; it was originally allocated to Cape May on March 21, 1995.

WFDU - 89.1 FM, Teaneck
WFDU, broadcasting from Fairleigh Dickenson University, first signed on August 30, 1971.
Their antenna is on the Major Edwin Armstrong tower in Alpine NJ.
WFDU shares time with WNYU, 89.1, New York.
The station features a mix of country/folk and other specialty programming.
WFDU was briefly the home of Breath & Breath (aka Bob Belby & Carl Sartori) in 1981.
Between January 2000 and May 2003, their show was heard on WTRR, 89.3 FM in Toms River (see below).

WWFM - 89.1 FM, Trenton
89.1 was originally allocated to Trenton on December 26, 1978.
WWFM, broadcasting from Mercer County Community College, first signed on September 6, 1982 (after being granted their call letters on July 7, 1980) with a mix of classical and jazz programming.
By 1989, however, they had phased out the jazz in favor of straight classical music.
They are the flagship station for The Classical Network, a group of stations and translators that are located mostly over Central and Southern New Jesrey and eastern Pennsylvania, that simulcast WWFM's programming.
WWFM also operates translator stations in Colorado.

WNJB - 89.3 FM, Bridgeton
89.3 was originally allocated to Bridgeton on June 18, 1990.
WNJB, part of the NJN Radio Network, signed on in 1998 simulcasting the programming from WNJT, 88.1 in Trenton.
89.3 was originally granted the WWUC calls on March 13, 1992, then on April 10, 1992, the calls were changed to WNJB.
On July 1, 2011, WNJB began simulcasting the programming from WHYY in Philadelphia.

WFJS - 89.3 FM, Freehold
89.3 was granted the WSFS calls on September 4, 2009; it was originally allocated to Freehold on October 22, 2007.
Originally owned by an organization called "FM Pregnancy Centers Inc.", the station is currently in the process of converting their CP (construction permit) over to Domestic Church Media Foundation (owners of WFJS, 1260 in Trenton).
To match WFJS in Trenton, the 89.3 calls changed to WFJS-FM on November 12, 2010.
WFJS went on the air in May 2011.

WNJY - 89.3 FM, Netcong
This station, owned by the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority, was granted the WNJY calls on June 27, 2008; it was originally allocated to Netcong on July 30, 1999.
In July 2008, WNJY signed on with a simulcast of WNJT, 88.1 from Trenton.
On July 1, 2011, WNJY, along with WNJT, WNJO, and WNJP were transferred to a new entity known as New Jersey Public Radio, run by New York station, WNYC.

WTRR - 89.3 FM, Toms River
89.3 signed on in November 1999, under the calls of WKZQ.
89.3 officially became WTRR on March 17, 2000.
The station, which broadcasted on a part-time weekend schedule most of the time, featured a Classic Hits format.
WTRR was also the home of the very popular Breath & Breath Radio Show.
Breath & Breath (aka Bob Belby & Carl Sartori) were originally on WFDU back in 1981 (see above) and WBSB, a carrier-current station from Bergen Community College in Paramus from 1979 to 1980.
Past programming on WTRR included two shows hosted by Karen Hershey: "Talk Of The Town", a current events call-in show that ran in early to mid-2000 and "Legal Talk", a financial show that ran from the end of 2000 to early 2001.
Other shows included: "The Mighty Sparrow Show" - a musical variety show that showcased the Beatles music, "LiveWire" - a heavy metal show hosted by Cher Savage that ran till the end of 2000, "Frank & Friends" - an adult standards show (with an emphasis on Frank Sinatra) hosted by Ken Ambler which ran through mid-2000 along with a one-shot show in February 2001, "Alan Bay's Ocean Oldies" - an oldies show that ran from December 2000 to January 2002, "The Nancy Dowd Show" - a show focusing on events taking place in Island Heights, and last but not least, London Lou, who hosted a musical variety show on Sunday mornings.
London Lou also doubled as the announcer for all of WTRR's liners and jingles.
Program Director Ted Landry hosted the Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Sunday morning shifts - with staff meteorologist Jim Anderson handling weather duties.
WTRR, on a summer hiatus since June 23, 2002, returned to the air on September 27, 2002.
In June 2003, WTRR ceased broadcasting.
WTRR briefly resumed broadcasting between March and May 2004.

WKVP - 89.5 FM, Cherry Hill
89.5 was originally allocated to Cherry Hill on February 2, 1981 and was first granted the WEEE calls on August 27, 1986.
On November 1, 1995, the calls changed again to WSJI.
WSJI broadcasted a religious format, with the calls standing for "South Jersey's Inspiration."
On January 10, 2007, calls changed to WKVP, under new ownership from Educational Media Foundation, which produces the "K-Love" Contemporary Christian format via satellite to stations around the country.

WSOU - 89.5 FM, South Orange
WSOU, broadcasting from Seton Hall University, is the probably the most popular college station in the country.
They first signed on April 14, 1948.
In the late 1950's, WSOU featured various musical genres, including then-current pop music and a classical show.
The station also featured Seton Hall baseball and basketball play-by-play.
Some of the DJ's at the time included Bob Wussler (who went on to be president of the CBS-TV network), Pat Parson (who later worked at WCBS-AM, and then started up 98.5 FM) and Joe Reilly (who had success with The Belvideres, a rock n' roll group he fronted in the late 1950s).
Later on in the 1980's and 1990's, WSOU broadcast an alternative format during the week and some ethnic block programming on the weekends.
In late 2001, WSOU was informed by the school board that their current "heavy metal" programming must end by January 2, 2002.
So, on January 2, WSOU debuted a "modern eclectic rock" format, which encompasses a wide range of music.
Some airchecks & pics from WSOU can be heard (and seen) here.
(Thanks to Joe Reilly for some of this information)
(Thanks to Frank Zarate for some of the WSOU logos)

WNJN - 89.7 FM, Atlantic City
89.7 was originally allocated to Atlantic City on May 22, 1990.
WNJN was granted calls on August 23, 1991, but didn't hit the air until September 1996.
WNJN is part of the NJN Radio Network, simulcasting WNJT.
On July 1, 2011, WNJN began simulcasting the programming from WHYY in Philadelphia.

WDVR - 89.7 FM, Delaware Twsp.
89.7 was originally allocated to Delaware Twsp. on April 18, 1986.
WDVR first went on the air on February 19, 1990 (after being granted their call letters on May 9, 1988), initially broadcasting 18 hours a day.
WDVR originally broadcasted in mono, then went stereo a couple of years later.
The station features a very diversified format, featuring music from Americana and country to blues, jazz and reggae.
They also feature a number of informational talk shows on a variety of topics.
(Thanks to the WDVR website & Scott Lowe for some of this information)

WRDR - 89.7 FM, Freehold Twsp.
89.7 was originally allocated to Freehold Twsp. on May 6, 1988 and first granted the WQHF calls on April 19, 1990 then the WRLJ calls on July 31, 1992.
WRLJ was originally supposed to be a religious station when it hit the air and the calls were to stand for "Rejoice Lord Jesus," however that never came to be.
In November 1996, WRLJ finally hit the air simulcasting the Oldies format from WCNJ, 89.3 in Hazlet.
In January 1997, WRLJ branched out from WCNJ and became a live and local Oldies station as "Oldies 89.7."
However in July 1997, Sal Anthony, who at the time was PD for both WCNJ and WRLJ, decided to branch out on HIS own, stole most of WRLJ's equipment, forcing them off the air, and started a pirate station on 104.7 FM in Howell in August of that year.
He was ultimately busted in September.
Click here for the article on the pirate station that appeared on September 5, 1997 in the Asbury Park Press.
Meanwhile, 89.7 was trying to put themselves back toegther.
On October 24, 1997, the station switched calls to WPDQ and by December, were back on the air, still with the Oldies format, but this time calling themselves "Q-89.7."
Over the next couple of years, the Oldies format slowly evolved into Classic Hits.
The station now had a very loyal following and for the 2001 season, became the flagship station for the Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball franchise.
Some newspaper articles and pics of WPDQ can be seen here.
In 2002, a majority of the personalities on WPDQ were dropped and the station pretty much became automated.
In December 2002, it was announced that WPDQ was sold for $875,000 to Bridgelight Corp. (an entity comprising of Calvary Chapel of Old Bridge and Cornerstone Calvary Chapel of Howell).
On January 24, 2003, the sale officially closed, however WPDQ continued on as usual, until the following Friday, January 31, 2003, when they went off the air in anticipation of a format change.
Dave "The Rave" Kapulsky hosted "Relics & Rarities" during a majority of WPDQ's run - pics of Dave in the studio are here.
On May 1, 2003, calls changed to WRDR (which were previously used at 104.9 in Egg Harbor City for many years).
On June 27, 2003, 89.7 returned to the air as "The Bridge", with a religious format.
(WPDQ "yellow" logo - from my own personal collection)

WGLS - 89.7 FM, Glassboro
WGLS-FM began broadcasting in January 1964 when the FCC granted an FM educational license to Glassboro State College.
Initially, the station was located in the Bole Administration Building and operated at 10 watts of power.
In 1976, the University allowed WGLS to move into a much larger space in the basement of the Savitz Library, and a grant from the Student Government Association allowed the station to raise power to 440 watts, convert to stereo, and make an upgrade to the equipment.
In January of 1993, WGLS again raised their power (to 640 watts), and also raised the antenna height to 150 feet.
In 1995, WGLS-FM relocated to new studios in Bozorth Hall, and a permanent home in the College of Communication.
2001 saw another power increase (to 750 watts) and an increase in antenna height (to 470 feet) when the WGLS-FM transmitter site was relocated to a new broadcast tower in Harrison Township.
WGLS-FM is Gloucester County's only FM radio station.
It operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
With a staff of between 90 and 120 students, WGLS-FM offers a wide variety of entertainment, news, sports, public affairs, and specialty programming.
The station carries the ABC News Network, the Metro Source News Service and Metro Traffic.
(Thanks to "CW" and the WGLS "Operations Manual" for some of this information)

WLCR - 89.7 FM, Lawrence Twsp.
Another one of those mystery stations.
The only info I have on this is that it signed on April 30, 1976, was owned by the Lawrence Twsp. Board Of Ed. and the license was cancelled in 1984.
Any additional info? Please e-mail me at the address above.

WNJM - 89.9 FM, Manahawkin
89.9 was originally allocated to Manahawkin on August 16, 1991 and granted the WNJM calls on February 9, 1996; they went on the air August 20, 1999 simulcasting WNJT, as part of the NJN Radio Network.
89.9 actually started programming on June 24, 1999 playing various classical and swing music as a test, with Bob Wick, GM of WYRS 90.7 in Manahawkin doing ID's.
On July 1, 2011, WNJM began simulcasting the programming from WHYY in Philadelphia.

WJPH - 89.9 FM, Woodbine
89.9 was originally allocated to Woodbine on February 17, 1998.
WJPH went on the air February 16, 1999 (after being granted their call letters on Janaury 8, 1999) with a religious format.
WJPH stands for "Just Praise Him."
89.9 also simulcasts on 88.1 in Cape May Court House (see above.)
(Thanks to the WJPH website for this information)
(Thanks to Kris Lane for the WJPG/WJPH logo)

Radio-History.com Home Page

Also visit our "sister" sites: PirateJim.com | LPFMDatabase.com

* Page 1 *

Copyright ©