This Is Radio Conn

If “video killed the radio star,” then the fear of many radio connoisseurs may be that the iPod and the availability of online music may have killed radio all together.

Many students on Connecticut College’s campus claim that, although they know about the on-campus radio station, WCNI, they have followed society’s lead and do not own a radio. They seem to express that it is impossible for them to listen, let alone show interest in the station.

It is time that this sentiment (as well as the myth that you needed to have brought your parents’ radio to school with you in order to listen to WCNI) is put to rest. Not only is the eclectic and creative FM station streamed online and available to anyone desiring to listen on the College’s campus, but it is also a station that can be reached by anyone in the New London area. The station, broadcasted on 90.9 FM, has a rich history with Connecticut College and involves an impressive staff of community members and student DJs committed to producing quality shows “for the love of music.”

Early broadcasts of WCNI were of rather poor quality. The station’s AM frequency often crossed with New York City’s WNBC-AM station and to comfort their ears, students could be found turning off the radio transmitters that were located in each dormitory building on campus.

In 1972, with the establishment and support of the Connecticut College Broadcast Association, Inc., WCNI became an FM station; its broadcast became more reliable, and the station overall became more accessible to Connecticut College students.

By 1974, a radio transmission tower was constructed on top of Bill Hall by members of the College maintenance staff, utilizing a World War II air raid siren tower and a steel pipe as the antenna. A professional radio tower now accompanies the station’s present location in the College Center at Crozier-Williams.

Past accomplishments of WCNI include an on-air fund raising marathon to raise money for government-mandated emergency broadcast equipment, and the newly appointed WCNI managerial staff has high hopes for the success of the station this year.

The station’s General Manager, John Tyler, feels that, “Nothing says more about [the station] than the music,” suggesting that the riveting and dynamic show schedule this fall is an achievement in of itself.

“We’ve got no iPhone app,” Tyler shared, “but we do stream live through our website and, of course, [through] good old terrestrial radio at 90.9 FM.”

Those involved with the production of the radio station are committed to their goal this year of greater out-reach to the Connecticut College student body. “We want to build the WCNI community,” Tyler expressed. “We are working to expand through Facebook and the College’s new system, Collegiate Link.”

Staff members are certainly making a strong effort to get students involved earlier during their four years at Connecticut College. Hopefully out-reach efforts, as well as the plans for a renovated production studio, will attract a younger generation of DJs and spark greater interest in involvement with the station.

Connecticut College students should undoubtedly tune in to the non-commercial station. If you’re interested in Radio or Communications, no matter your class year, you should consider becoming a part of the WCNI family.

WCNI is the station you are looking for: nowhere else will you be able to keep your radio tuned or internet connecting to a station that plays Classical music one hour, Reggae the next, and closes out the day with Alternative Pop.

WCNI radio is a music lover’s auditory dream.

Want to tune in? Go to 90.9 FM or their website and listen to a live broadcast of the station! Want to be a part of the station’s production? Stop by the studio located in Cro, next to the Cro Pit.