WJFF
Encyclopedia
WJFF is a public radio station broadcasting at 90.5 MHz, licensed to Jeffersonville, New York
and transmits from a tower approximately two miles west of Liberty, New York
It is perhaps the nation's only hydropower
ed radio station. The power for the station's studios and offices are drawn from a dam 50 feet away adjacent to Lake Jefferson.
In January of 1988, Catskill Radio, Inc., also owned by Malcolm Brown, received a Construction Permit
for WJFF. The radio station's studio building was built on the north side of the Jefferson Lake dam, about 50 feet away from the generator house. The station was completed by mostly volunteer labor, signing on for the first time on January 20, 1990. Initially the station transmitted with a power of 830 watts, this was increased to 3,700 watts in early 1996.
1996 was also the year that Catskill Radio Inc. applied for and received authorization to build its Monticello, NY translator, W233AH.
Since 2000, the Lake Jefferson Dam has survived numerous severe floods and still provides all of the power to run WJFF with the excess being sold to NYSEG, the local power company. In 2005, the dam and generating equipment was sold to Kevin and Barbra Gref, who continue to operate it.
The transmitter site is located on a hill approximately six miles east of the studios and is power conventionally by commercial electrical service.
, public affairs and news
programming during the day, with locally produced programs in the early afternoons and evenings. Its schedule maintains a balance between eclectic community radio
and NPR
affiliate programming, with a smattering of shows from Pacifica Radio
, the BBC
and the CBC
. BBC
programming is now broadcast in the early morning hours, if there is no local programming on air at the time.
Jeffersonville, New York
Jeffersonville is a village in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 420 at the 2000 census. The name is derived indirectly from Thomas Jefferson....
and transmits from a tower approximately two miles west of Liberty, New York
Liberty, New York
Liberty, New York relates to two locations in Sullivan County, New York, United States:*Liberty , New York*Liberty , New York...
It is perhaps the nation's only hydropower
Hydropower
Hydropower, hydraulic power, hydrokinetic power or water power is power that is derived from the force or energy of falling water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as...
ed radio station. The power for the station's studios and offices are drawn from a dam 50 feet away adjacent to Lake Jefferson.
History
In 1984, Malcolm Brown purchased the Lake Jefferson dam (41°46′40.191"N 74°55′30.6294"W) and power house and began to repair the hydro plant which was originally constructed in 1927. In 1986, the hydro plant was placed in service, generating enough power to supply 20-25 area homes.In January of 1988, Catskill Radio, Inc., also owned by Malcolm Brown, received a Construction Permit
Construction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
for WJFF. The radio station's studio building was built on the north side of the Jefferson Lake dam, about 50 feet away from the generator house. The station was completed by mostly volunteer labor, signing on for the first time on January 20, 1990. Initially the station transmitted with a power of 830 watts, this was increased to 3,700 watts in early 1996.
1996 was also the year that Catskill Radio Inc. applied for and received authorization to build its Monticello, NY translator, W233AH.
Since 2000, the Lake Jefferson Dam has survived numerous severe floods and still provides all of the power to run WJFF with the excess being sold to NYSEG, the local power company. In 2005, the dam and generating equipment was sold to Kevin and Barbra Gref, who continue to operate it.
The transmitter site is located on a hill approximately six miles east of the studios and is power conventionally by commercial electrical service.
Programming
The station features a variety of classical music, jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, public affairs and news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
programming during the day, with locally produced programs in the early afternoons and evenings. Its schedule maintains a balance between eclectic community radio
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
and NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
affiliate programming, with a smattering of shows from Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
, the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
programming is now broadcast in the early morning hours, if there is no local programming on air at the time.