WRUC
Encyclopedia
WRUC-FM is a college radio station owned by, and staffed by, the students of Union College
in Schenectady, New York
. The 100-watt station broadcasts on (89.7 FM
) and streams on Internet radio
at wruc.union.edu.. It is often referred to as "First Station in the Nation."
In 1920, the station was called 2ADD, the personal call letters of one of the members of the club at the time. The club has gone through numerous call letters including, "2XQ," "WRL," "UBS," and "UCRS."
The station previously aired on 640 AM and on 90.9 FM, before assuming its current dial position in the mid 1980s.
While some of these claims are disputed, station records indicate that it was the "first station in the nation", airing experimental content before Pittsburgh
's KDKA
. It is also believed to have aired one of the first sports broadcasts in the country.
The station currently operates regularly only when Union College is in session.
Among the station's most famous alumni is Dick Ferguson, the 2002 National Radio Award
winner, as named by the National Association of Broadcasters
.http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/RS2002/R0402.htm Ferguson retired as the Executive Vice President of Cox Radio
in 2006.
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in Schenectady, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The 100-watt station broadcasts on (89.7 FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
) and streams on Internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
at wruc.union.edu.. It is often referred to as "First Station in the Nation."
History
WRUC became the first student operated radio facility in the United States when it began broadcasting on October 14, 1920. The station is widely recognized as America's first college radio station,http://www.collegetoolkit.com/Colleges/Profile/196866.aspx. The New York Times noted in its April 25, 1921 edition that a broadcast by the Union College radio club could be heard 1,000 miles away. The paper also detailed one month later an experiment in which a baby being pushed in a carriage through Schenectady was able to receive a radio broadcast.In 1920, the station was called 2ADD, the personal call letters of one of the members of the club at the time. The club has gone through numerous call letters including, "2XQ," "WRL," "UBS," and "UCRS."
The station previously aired on 640 AM and on 90.9 FM, before assuming its current dial position in the mid 1980s.
While some of these claims are disputed, station records indicate that it was the "first station in the nation", airing experimental content before Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
's KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
. It is also believed to have aired one of the first sports broadcasts in the country.
The station currently operates regularly only when Union College is in session.
Among the station's most famous alumni is Dick Ferguson, the 2002 National Radio Award
NAB Marconi Radio Awards
The Marconi Radio Awards are presented annually by the National Association of Broadcasters to the top radio stations and on-air personalities in the United States. The awards are named in honor of Guglielmo Marconi, the man generally credited as the "Father of Wireless Telegraphy." NAB member...
winner, as named by the National Association of Broadcasters
National Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
.http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/RS2002/R0402.htm Ferguson retired as the Executive Vice President of Cox Radio
Cox Radio
Cox Radio, Inc. is a division of Cox Enterprises that holds a number of radio stations. Cox Radio is headquartered at 6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs, Georgia....
in 2006.