WESU

WESU receives transmitter donation

2012-01-09T15:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the folks at 99.9 FM WEZN in Bridgeport, Connecticut, WESU will soon broadcast from a new 10,000 watt transmitter! WEZN upgraded their main transmitter and donated their old back up transmitter to WESU. Considering this transmitter was only used while servicing their main unit, it has been used minimally, in contrast to WESU's current transmitter which has run for nearly 24 hrs/day for nearly 3 decades! WESU's "new" Harris FM 10K Transmitter is essentially the big brother to the Harris FM 3.5 K transmitter that has faithfully served WESU since 1988.

While this doesn't mean that WESU will be pumping out more power, it will save us money and maintenance since we have been pushing the limits of our current transmitter to fulfill our FCC license to operate at 6,000 watts. Since our upgrade WESU has been "burning through transmitter tubes" according to Ben Michael General Manager. "The new FM10k transmitter will not even break a sweat pumping out the power needed to fulfill our license and will save us thousands of dollars in annual operating costs". Michael goes on to say "We had just begun the process of pricing the cost of purchasing a new transmitter so this donation is timely and will save tens of thousands of dollars we would have had to borrow."

The new transmitter has already been moved to the WESU transmitter site and will be hooked up in the near future.

Special thanks to our friend and Engineer, Paul Litwinovich for making this dream come true.

Last Call!

2011-12-13T00:58:00.001-05:00

A big THANK YOU to the 231 folks who came together in support of the 7th Annual WESU Holiday Pledge drive 2011. Your support is a testament to the service we provide to the community.

This year's drive was tough going for our dedicated volunteer DJs, but our success is a reminder of our what is possible when we work together towardsa common goal!

Season's Greetings and listener supported community radio for all!

2011-12-02T16:46:00.001-05:00

88.1 FM WESU CALLS ONLISTENERS TO GIVE THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY RADIO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN CONDENSED8 DAY PLEDGE DRIVE

December 2nd, 2011

Middletown, CT--- Wesleyan University’s non-commercialcollege and community radio station, 88.1FM WESU, calls on listeners to givethe gift of WESU this holiday season during The Seventh Annual WESU Winter HolidayPledge Drive. This year’s drive will kick off at 4pm December 5th and continuefor 8 days through the end of live programming (3am) on Monday, December 12th. This year WESU will conduct 2separate 8 day pledge drives with one in the Winter and another in the Springrather than a single 2 week winter Holiday pledge drive.

The goal for this year’s 8-day drive is to raise $10,000 inlistener support to sustain operating expenses throughout the coming year.Meeting this goal, although difficult, will keep WESU on track to raise $35,000in community support before the end of the fiscal year in July. WESU’s General Manager Ben Michael saysthat, “Itwill be a huge challenge for our volunteer broadcasters to raise $10,000 in 8days. However, we know listeners value the service we provide and we arecounting on them to help us meet our goal so we can continue to offer the mostdiverse radio programming in Connecticut.”

2011 was another great year for WESU. Highlights includeWESU’s rising from #3 to #2 in the Hartford Advocate Readers Poll. In the Spring of 2011 WESU became thefirst radio station in Connecticut to broadcast the daily radio news magazine, AlJazeera English. Al Jazeera English has received numerous international awardsfor news coverage and WESU is pleased to include it as a complement to theirdiverse mix of public news and Public affairs programming from NPR, Pacifica,and other independent and local sources.

In addition to these accomplishments, The Generation Public Radio Exchange(PRX) Bullying Stories Project panel has selected WESU’s Middletown Youth RadioProject’s pitch as one of its finalists in this national competition. TheMiddletown Youth Radio Project (MYRP) is a program on WESU in which youth fromthe Middletown community create audio projects including songs and stories andplay them on the air. Thecommittee was impressed by the creative approach to talking about bullying, andthe balance of both a social structure perspective and personal stories. As thanks for the pitch, the youthradio group will receive: an audio storytelling kit that includes a digitalrecorder and audio editing software, training webinars on producing, refining,and distributing stories, story advising from a professional producer, and likelyinclusion in a youth radio special to be broadcast nationwide via PRX.

Financial support during this pledge drive will help ensurethat WESU continues to grow and operate as a creative vehicle for partnershipbetween the Wesleyan University community, the people of the greaterConnecticut River Valley, and beyond. Donations will directly benefit WESU andhelp to ensure local, community-based programs and alternative news and musiccontinue to have a home on the radio dial.

Weekdays, WESU boasts a diverse schedule offering a robustprogram of News and Public Affairs by day drawing from NPR, Pacifica,independent, and local sources. Week Nights and Weekends WESU broadcast adiverse range of “free form” music and creative programming that includes Jazz,Soul, Blues, Rock, Caribbean, Hip Hop, Experimental, Electronic, Gospel,Oldies, Latin music, and much more.

To show your support for WESU, please donate now at www.wesufm.org, or call 860-685-7700 duringthe drive 12/05-12/12 and make a pledge. Online pledges are convenientlyprocessed immediately, prevent clerical errors, and are more eco-friendly sincethere is no paper involved. For more information on how you can support WESUcontact Ben Michael, General Manager – generalmanager@wesufm.org860-658-7707.

Record Fair Thanks!

2011-11-21T11:04:00.001-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the WESU Fall record fair! WESU raised nearly $1,000 to help sustain WESU operations. Mark your calendar as the Spring 2012 Record fair is scheduled for April 15th.

2011-11-04T17:23:00.001-04:00

WESU RECORD FAIR

WESU’s Fall Record Fair is coming up!

Where? Beckham Hall, 45 Wyllys Ave. on the Wesleyan University Campus, Middletown, CT 06459

When? 11:00 am -4:00 pm, November 12th

What? Local food vendors, raffles, WESU merchandise and WESU DJs spinning vinyl all day

How much? Free!

More online at WESUFM.ORG

Email Lee Berman (lberman@wesleyan.edu) if you want to rent a table to sell your merchandise.

Hope to see you there!

2011-11-04T10:59:00.000-04:00

Rockabilly Willy on WESU Moondog Matinee by WESU Here's Rockabilly Willy's first appearance on WESU. Thanks to Moondog Mike for the audio.

WESU RESUMES BROADCASTING

2011-11-03T14:31:00.000-04:00

After 5 long days, WESU is finally back on air! At this point all systems seem to be functioning fine and we have already resumed regular broadcasting. Please bear with us as there are bound to be some small changes in the schedule since some of our broadcasters are still without power.

2011-11-02T20:05:00.001-04:00

WESU 88.1 FM is hosting it's annual open mic night at The Buttonwood Tree this coming Monday, November 7th.

Some performers from the radio station will bring their songs and poetry to the stage but anyone is welcome to sign up and perform.

The Buttonwood Tree is located on 605 Main Street in Middletown, CT. Sign-ups start at 7:30 and performances will begin at 8:00. The price for admission is a suggested $3-5 donation.

Hope to see all of you there!

The Buttonwood Tree – 605 Main Street – (860)347- 4957 – www.buttonwood.org

WESU mourns the loss of "Rockabilly Willy"

2011-11-01T09:03:00.000-04:00

It brings us great sadness to inform you that ourgood friend Rockabilly Willy (William Myron Holden) has passed away. Willy was acommunity volunteer DJ who brought an unparalleled level of enthusiasm to theWESU airwaves for the music and era he loved so much (1957-1962 to bespecific). It is an understatement to say that Willy made lastingimpression on both listeners and fellow WESU staff.

Who can forget his musical gemsfrom the “treasure chest”, special dedications, and super-cool greaser lingo("Man oh man - Smoke a Roytan”)? Willy bravely walked the walk and talked the talkas long as he could manage and was surely “The Real McCoy”. He was also aveteran who was proud of his service. He had been off air for the lastcouple of years as he battled a number of health challenges. Hopefullyall of you “cool cats and dungaree dolls” who remember Rockabilly Willy willkeep him in your thoughts.

A graveside military service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown.

The Willy's family hasgraciously asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to WESU in memoryof Rockabilly Willy.

You can find the obituary by clicking here.

‘Happy Trails’ Willy…. Restin Peace.

WESU OFF AIR!

2011-11-01T08:35:00.000-04:00

With no electricity to power our studios, WESU is off air for the longest period in over 5 years. Thanks to the freak October Nor'easter that rocked CT this past weekend, like many residents in Middletown and throughout CT, WESU is dark and cold.

Until power is restored to our studios, all WESU activities and broadcasts are on hold. We will resume broadcasting via FM and our web stream as soon as possible.

Stay tuned to this website for updates.

Stay Warm!

-Ben Michael
General Manager
bmichael@wesleyan.edu

ANYTHING GOES HALLOWEEN OPEN MIC

2011-10-27T16:52:00.001-04:00

J. Cherry and WESU are teaming up for the Anything Goes Open Mic Night at the Buttonwood Tree this Halloween Monday (October 31st).

If you want to look as awesome as this guy:

show up in costume for a great time! Bring poetry, music, or spooky stories to share!

Sign-ups start at 7:30 and performances start 8:00. Bring a suggested $5.00 donation and your spooky selves!

2011-10-20T16:07:00.001-04:00

WESU is a sponsor of Harvest Fest at the Haddam Neck Fairgrounds this Sunday, 10/23. Featured bands include Rusted Root, StraddleDaddy, Shakedown and More. Gates open at noon. Kids under 10 are free.

WESU Hosts Anything Goes Open Mic Monday at the Buttonwood

2011-09-22T17:49:00.004-04:00

WESU88.1 FM is hosting an open mic night at The Buttonwood Tree every

first Mondayof the month, starting October 3^rd.

Someperformers from the radio station will bringtheir songs and poetry to the stage but anyone is welcometo sign up and perform.

TheButtonwood Tree is located on 605 Main Street in Middletown, CT. Sign-ups start at 7:30 and performances willbegin at 8:00. The price for admissionis a suggested $3-5 donation.

Hope to see all of you there!

The ButtonwoodTree – 605 Main Street – (860)347- 4957 –www.buttonwood.org

Fall Community Record Fair

2011-09-15T17:05:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendars!

Saturday, November 12
The Fall Record Fair is on!

Free and open to the public.
Beckham Hall, Wyllys Ave, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459
(Across from the Office of Admissions on Wyllys Ave.)

Featuring lots of vendors selling music in all formats, great food, raffles, WESU merchandise, and WESU DJs spinning vinyl live all day!

We are currently looking for vendors. Email lberman@wesleyan.edu for information/reservations.

Brand Spanking New FALL SEASON

2011-09-13T22:34:00.005-04:00

Ahh Autumn. It's here, and with the changing leaves comes a freshly renewed and colorful schedule. WESU's new fall season line-up started this week, featuring a slew of new shows for your discovery, as well as some of your old favorites in some new time slots. Be sure to check the new schedule for the revised shows and times.

WESU Voted 2nd Best College Radio Station in Hartford Advocate Reader's Poll

2011-04-21T12:03:00.017-04:00

Thanks to all of our listeners who voted for WESU in The Hartford Advocate's Reader's Poll. After 5 years waiting in the wings in the #3 position, WESU has advanced to the #2 spot in this annual poll!

Surely this sign of success is in part the result of our recent power upgrade that has enabled us to reach more listeners. We also suspect our increase popularity has something to do with the amazing service we provide listeners.

By day, WESU offers listeners the most diverse news and public affairs line up in the state featuring NPR, Pacifica, Al Jazeera, BBC, and local and independent media outlets. Week nights and weekends WESU features free form music programming that serves listeners who are underrepresented by the rest of the media spectrum.

Big-up to WHUS 91.7 (#1) and WWUH 91.3 (#3) for their standings in the poll as well. It's good to know WESU is in good company!

2011-04-19T17:28:00.002-04:00

Like OF MONTREAL? Well... If you tune into WESU tonight from 9-10 Tom Foolery will be giving out 2 PAIRS OF TICKETS to the OF MONTREAL SHOW at Toad's Place on Wednesday April 27th. Tune in and win!

Norse Code with Tom Foolery – Alternating 1st 3rd and 5th Tuesday from 9-10pm

Folk ravishing your ears like a Viking invader from the north. Tom keeps you in the know, carefully studying the invasion before it overtakes America completely. Featuring modern folk and pop music coming from the Nordic region.

I Need That Record! Screening

2011-04-12T17:23:00.003-04:00

Put up posters! Tell your friends!

Right-click to download the full resolution.

I Need That Record! Screening

2011-04-06T16:23:00.010-04:00

Hi, all!

WESU is pleased to announce that on Sunday, April 17th at 4:00 PM we will be hosting a screening of the film 'I Need That Record' to be followed by a Q&A with the documentary's director - Brendan Toller.

The documentary addresses the closing of thousands of record stores in recent years and the viability of the record store in the age of digital music and illegal downloads. The documentary includes insights from Noam Chomsky, Thurston Moore, Ian MacKaye, Glenn Branca and many others and was filmed right here in good ole' Connecticut.

The film also captures interviews with former WESU DJ Ian Laforce during the final days of Middletown’s Record Express as well as the closing of the legendary Trash American Style store in Danbury. Wallingford’s Redscroll Records (co owned by WESU stalwart Rick Sinkiewicz) is also spotlighted and provides a glimmer of hope for the future of the business.

Admission is free, but donations are strongly encouraged. Come join us!

When: Sunday, April 17th at 4:00 PM
Where: Shanklin room 107, Wesleyan campus, Church Street
(Shanklin is building #76 on the campus map )

WESU Spring Record Fair Cancelled

2011-03-07T13:08:00.005-05:00

Unfortunately, due to a variety of scheduling conflicts, we have decided to cancel our Spring Record Fair. First we tried to move it around to accommodate the New Haven Record Riot and then Easter got in our way. Between Wesleyan's spring break and end of year academic schedule and other record fair happenings in the state, we finally decided that it is in our best interest to cancel our spring event and focus on planning for next year.

Sorry to those of you who were on board to be vendors and the rest of you who were looking forward to picking up some sweet vinyl.

Stay tuned for details on our Fall Record Fair. If you would like vendor information, please contact Lee Berman - lberman@wesleyan.edu

"That Was the Year That Was" - February 20th through February 26th

2011-02-17T13:58:00.003-05:00

Tune in to WESU Middletown from Sunday, February 20th to Saturday, February 26th for our "That Was the Year That Was" programming event.

Throughout the week, our music and public affairs shows will focus on a year of personal significance and will present material and insight into the distant (and not so distant) past.

Participating shows include:

Sunday, February 20th:

Choirs of the Eye (18:00 to 19:30)
Dead Air (19:30 to 21:00)
The Psychedelicatssen (21:00 to 22:30)
Wonderland (22:30 to 00:00)

Monday, February 21st:

Chocolate Cake (00:00 to 01:30)
The Bauer Hour (16:00 to 16:55)

Tuesday, February 22nd:

Aargh! (00:00 to 01:30)
600 Pounds of Sin (01:30 to 03:00)
The Southbound Train (18:30 to 19:30)
Acoustic Blender (19:30 to 21:00)

Wednesday, February 23rd:

Nothing Under the Sun (02:00 to 03:00)
Fusion Radio (18:30 to 20:00)
Shloggfather's Fancy-Free Fun Festival (21:30 to 23:00)
Head Radio (23:00 to 00:00)

Thursday, February 24th:

Funkhopf! (01:00 to 02:00)
Evening Jazz (20:00 to 21:30)

Friday, February 25th:

Word...Life Radio (00:30 to 02:00)
All Big Band Most of the Time (20:00 to 21:00)

Saturday, February 26th:

Caffe Italia (07:30 - 08:00)
Reggae Voyage (21:00 to 22:30)

88.1 FM WESU to Broadcast Al Jazeera English from Pacifica as part of Spring Program schedule.

2011-02-10T14:43:00.018-05:00

WESU 88.1FM, is proud to announce that we will begin broadcasting Al Jazeera English, on Monday February 14th as part of our Spring Program schedule. Al Jazeera English is a daily 60 minute award winning world headline radio news magazine recently made available to WESU through our affiliation with the Pacifica Radio Network. WESU will broadcast Al Jazeera English weekdays at 11 am right before Democracy Now.

WESU is committed to offering listeners an array of perspectives that are underrepresented or difficult to find elsewhere on the airwaves. WESU anticipates that carrying Al Jazeera English will spark some mixed responses from listeners and other media outlets and encourages anyone with serious concerns about the newscast to listen to it before passing final judgment.

Al Jazeera English has received numerous international awards for news coverage and WESU is pleased to include it as a complement to their diverse mix of public news and Public affairs programming from NPR, Pacifica, and other independent and local sources. Al Jazeera English nominations and awards include: The International Emmy Awards, the London-based Foreign Press Association, YouTube, The Association of International Broadcasters, Amnesty International, Britain's Royal Television Society, and the Monte Carlo Film Festival. For more information on Al Jazeera English visit http://english.aljazeera.net/

The mission of the Pacifica Radio Network, is to promote peace and justice through communication between all races, nationalities and cultures. Pacifica takes pride in bringing voices to the airwaves that normally may get shut out, and in providing news from under-reported areas. In this time of globalized change, it is particularly important to hear and understand divergent viewpoints from around the world. To learn more about Pacifica visit http://pacificanetwork.org.

WESU’s spring schedule also features many long standing music and public affairs programs in addition to a few new student and community volunteer programs. WESU's spring schedule can be found online at http://www.wesufm.org/program.html and a print program guide will be distributed to our financial supporters and select locations around the area in the coming weeks.

Tune in for "Al Jazeera English", weekdays from 11 to noon, here at 88.1 WESU Middletown.

New Spring Schedule!

2011-02-01T15:39:00.006-05:00

Check out the new season! We have great new programs and your favorite returning shows.

Listen Live: http://wesufm.org/audio/wesu_hi.pls

6th Annual WESU Holiday Pledge Drive

2010-11-24T18:44:00.010-05:00

WESU, calls on listeners to give the gift of WESU this holiday season during The Sixth Annual WESU Holiday Pledge Drive. This year’s drive will Kick off at 4pm November 29th and continue for 2 weeks through the end of live programming (3am) on Sunday December 12th.

The goal for this year’s 2 week drive is to raise $15,000 in listener support to sustain operating expenses throughout the coming year. Meeting this goal will keep WESU on track to raise $30,000 in community support before the end of the fiscal year in July.

During its 71st Anniversary year, WESU recently completed the 3 year project of quadrupling its broadcasting power from 1,500 to 6,000 watts (ERP). This upgrade has nearly doubled WESU’s potential listening audience from roughly 500,000 to 1,000,000 people throughout CT and Southern MA. In an event commemorating this upgrade, Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano issued a proclamation declaring that November 8, 2010 would henceforth be celebrated as “WESU Day”!

Financial support during this pledge drive will help ensure that WESU continues to grow and operate as a creative vehicle for partnership between the Wesleyan University community, the people of the greater Connecticut River Valley, and beyond. Donations will directly benefit WESU and help to ensure local, community-based programs and alternative news and music continue to have a home on the radio dial.

Weekdays, WESU boasts a diverse schedule offering a robust program of News and Public Affairs by day drawing from NPR, Pacifica, independent, and local sources. Week Nights and Weekends WESU broadcast a diverse range of “free form” music and creative programming that includes Jazz, Soul, Blues, Rock, Caribbean, Hip Hop, Experimental, Electronic, Gospel, Oldies, Latin music, and much more.

To show your support for WESU, please donate now at www.wesufm.org, or call 860-685-7700 during the drive and make a pledge. Online pledges are conveniently processed immediately, they prevent clerical errors, and they are more eco-friendly since there is no paper involved. All donations are tax deductible. For more information on how you can support WESU contact Ben Michael, General Manager – generalmanager@wesufm.org 860-685-7707.

A $25 donation will also give you this awesome WESU T-shirt:

WESU Celebrates a Long History and a Power Upgrade

2010-11-18T16:38:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano declared Monday, Nov. 8 to be as WESU day, celebrating 71 years of community radio and our new transmitter upgrade to 6,000 watts.

After an opening speech by General Manager Ben Michael, President Michael Roth and Giuliano spoke on WESU’s impact in the community and thanked Physical Plant and the Community Health Center (CHC) for helping to finance the transmitter. WESU president Caroline Connors shared some quick words before a slide show presentation on the history of WESU, which was followed by generously donated reception by Tallulah's. Thank you to everyone to helped WESU reach this point, and we hope you all had a happy WESU Day!

WESU Celebrates 71 years of community radio from Avery Trufelman on Vimeo.

Don’t miss The WESU Fall Community Record Fair

2010-09-30T17:23:00.003-04:00

Free and open to the public!
Saturday, November 13
11 AM – 4 PM
Beckham Hall, Wyllys Ave, Wesleyan University

Featuring lot’s of vendors selling music in all formats, great food, raffles, WESU merchandise, and WESU DJs spinning vinyl live all day!

There is still vendor Space Available @ $35 per table. Email Lberman@wesleyan.edu for information and reservations

Donations of music for the WESU table are also still needed and can be dropped off at WESU 45 broad Street 2nd Floor 10am-5pm M-F. Call 860-685-7707, first to arrange for a hand unloading…

Cover to Cover begins October 3rd

2010-09-26T23:25:00.007-04:00

Music, espeically on the radio, is a strangely consumed art form. Rather than absorb a large work at once, we tend to listen to music in discrete, small blocks of songs rather than as a coherent whole. Imagine if we only looked at a 2 inch sqaure of the Mona Lisa or only read two random pages from Moby Dick!

Beginning on Sunday, October 3rd and running through Saturday, October 9th, WESU Middletown will be presenting our listeners with an opportunity to hear music as the artists intended - from start to finish, Cover to Cover. Musical programs in a variety of genres will be showcasing favorite albums. Tune in to the following programs to hear some rare, terrific albums:

Sunday:
Big Trucks and Heavy Equipment
Psychedelicatessen
Wonderland
Chocolate Cake

Monday:
Life is a Killer with Johnny Analog
Aargh!

Tuesday:
Byt3 Me
Cousin Eli's Happy Banjo Hour
Acoustic Blender
Norse Code
Alive, Not Amplified

Wednesday:
Choirs of the Eye
Laughterhouse Five

Thursday:
Jim's Greasepit and Cocktail Lounge with (Death in) Jim

Friday:
Gimme Indie Rock!

Saturday:
Caffe Italia

Fall Training Begins October 3rd

2010-09-26T23:11:00.002-04:00

WESU Middletown's fall training begins Sunday, October 3rd. The month and a half long training program is open to both Wssleyan students and members of the greater Middletown community. For more information on joining the WESU community and details about our training program, please contact our Personnel Director at personnel@wesufm.org.

Ticket Giveaway: Ra Ra Riot

2010-09-25T11:37:00.003-04:00

WESU and Toad's Place will be giving away a free pair of tickets to see Ra Ra Riot, Chikita Violenta and We Barbarians. The show is at Toad's Place in New Haven on Tuesday, September 28th.

The tickets will be given away during Wonderland with DJ Cheshire Cat on Sunday, September 26th between 10:30 PM and midnight. Tune in via 88.1 FM, WESU Middletown or through our website at http://wesufm.org.

Czech it Out: Punk Show on Friday Septemeber 24!

2010-09-21T23:49:00.002-04:00

Uz Jsme Doma is an experimental punk band who formed in the 1980s in communist Czechoslovakia, where strict regulations forced them to play underground shows.
Uz Jsme Doma is now internationally famous, and the government of the Czech Republic actually gave them a grant to fly to the United States to tour because their music is considered culturally important.
The show is presented by WESU on Friday, September 24th, at the Memorial Chapel at 8:00 PM. The show is open to the public and free with a Wesleyan ID and $5 without.

Feel the Power of 6,000 Watts!

2010-09-01T21:20:00.000-04:00

After 3 long years of engineering, implementing structural and electrical upgrades, and navigating the FCC, WESU 88.1FM is now broadcasting at our newly assigned power of 6,000 watts of Effective Radiated Power!

This is a major milestone for WESU since we have been broadcasting at a power of 1,500 watts for the past 3 decades. This "once in a generation" power upgrade makes our radio signal available to twice as many listeners in CT and MA for a potential listening audience of close to 1 million.

Let us know if you have noticed a change in our signal strength in your neck of the woods by emailing upgrade@wesufm.org. This feedback will help us build an accurate map of who's now receiving our terrestrial FM signal. Please help us spread the word by alerting your friends and family who might not have been able to receive our signal in the past.

This was a big undertaking and it is a great relief to finally be up and running more powerful than ever after 3 years of hard work. Many thanks to the administration and staff of Wesleyan University for their support and assistance, Mark Masselli and The Community Health Center for purchasing and donating our new antenna, George Lombardi, Paul Litwinovich, and Tony Page at WSHU Public Radio for their invaluable support and supervision, Allan Moskowitz our FCC legal counsel, Laura Mizrahi at Communications Technologies inc for her expert consulting, and Aaron Read - GM at WEOS in Geneva, NY for suggesting we look into the possibility of this upgrade 4 years ago, and of course all of our wonderful volunteer staff, listeners, and supporters who lent us a helping hand along the way.

Movin' on up!

2010-07-21T12:36:00.002-04:00

WESU is now broadcasting at 3,000 watts! One more hoop to jump through and we should be operating at 6,000 Watts ERP by the end of the summer. Let us know if you have noticed a change in our signal strength in your neck of the woods by emailing upgrade@wesufm.org.

WWWESU

2010-07-06T16:22:00.004-04:00

Did you notice?

You're looking at the new and improved WESU website. It's been a long time coming and we're really excited about the improvements. Hopefully you'll find it more user-friendly, enjoy the links to photo albums and social media, and like the new look! We have more work to do on the site, and will keep everyone posted on future updates. But for now please enjoy, and if you have any feedback or comments, let us know.

Transmitter Upgrade in the Works

2010-06-10T19:45:00.008-04:00

Above (left): WESU's coverage pattern prior to transmitter upgrade.
Above(right): WESU's projected coverage pattern after transmitter upgrade.

With over 70 years of broadcasting under our belt, WESU 88.1, is poised to complete a major upgrade this summer. The FCC has granted WESU a license to increase our transmitting power from 1,000 Watts Effective Radiated Power (ERP) from an omni-directional antenna to a 6,000 Watt ERP directional antenna.

This ‘once in a generation’ opportunity will enable WESU to nearly double our terrestrial listening audience in CT and MA to well over one million potential listeners.

On May 5th we installed our new antenna and began broadcasting to our new directional pattern. We plan to increase our power in 2 phases.

We are no coordinating with our electrician to install new power lines sufficient for our 6,000 Watt transmitter. Once the lines are in place and we can submit our final FCC paperwork verifying our installation is up to spec and increase our power to 50% with our existing/current 3,500 Watt transmitter.

Upon FCC review and verification of our setup, we will be authorized to increase our power to the Full 6,000 Watts ERP. Once we have connected our new 6,000 Watt transmitter we can we will finally increase to our full power. We aim to have all of this work complete before then end of summer.

WESU Annual Record Fair a Smash Hit!

2010-04-29T15:26:00.000-04:00

To the left you'll see Lord Lewis, The Velvet Knight (host of The Rumpus Room) crate digging. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our 2nd Annual Community Record Fair.

WESU Featured in Wesleyan Magazine

2009-11-10T19:22:00.001-05:00

Click here for the full text of the article.