A Brief History of WALT Radio

Does it get any better than this?

 

1960’s -WDAV was started as a carrier current radio station running to all the dorms on campus.

1970’s- Station became a 10W FM station

1978- Trustees and Administration changed the station’s policy and indicated that half the on-air time shall be used for classical programming (that means that basketball broadcasts or similar is considered non-classical programming. Students were angered by the action and unplugged the soundboard thereby violating FCC regulations. Trustees and Administration resolved that students would no longer have a large role in running WDAV and thus, the station became a professional one. Students were relegated to running minor errands and late night shows as well as stuffing envelopes. Later in the year, students petitioned for a carrier station and were granted one...WALT.

1990- Station was closed down after experiencing major technical problems. Broadcasts were not audible even on the floor above the studio. Students asked for a big sum of money to start broadcasting on FM but were denied due to a poor credit history.

1992- Attempt to restart the station. Recovered the key to the studio and resolved all the records and CDs. Carrier current transmitter was recovered as well and proved to be working except for several damaged parts within.

1993- Devised a plan to broadcast to specific places on campus at certain times such as meals. Planned to broad cast on closed-circuit FM on cable system which should cover all the senior apartments, Patterson Court and lounges. Audibility should be improved and less technical problems for the future. Carrier current system partially condemned for bizarre power line design within the college.

1994- Six students worked to get the station back on the air as WALT 1610 AM.

1995- WALT 1610 AM up and running in the Basement of Belk

1998- WALT moves to a nicer studio with window in Johnston Gym

1999- Studio is moved again to the second floor of the Union.

2000- WALT will be in the new union, have the capacity for remote broadcasting(for cultural and sporting events), and is working towards an internet site where you could listen to WALT over the internet.