WHUS Radio: A History of Broadcasting at the University of Connecticut
The legacy of radio at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is a journey of technical evolution and persistence. While many recognize WHUS as a staple of the community today, the university's foray into the airwaves began long before the modern FM era, starting with early experiments in AM broadcasting in the 1920s.
The Early AM Era: WABL and WCAC
Organized broadcasting at the university began on June 1, 1923, when the institution—then known as Connecticut Agricultural College—was granted a license for an AM station. Operating under the call letters WABL and serving the community of Storrs, the station initially broadcast at 1060 kHz with 100 watts of power, utilizing two 103-foot steel towers.
By 1925, the station increased its power to 500 watts and changed its call letters to WCAC. However, the dream of establishing a state-wide educational service proved difficult. Due to constant changes in power and frequency mandated by the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) and later the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the university voluntarily surrendered the license on April 30, 1936.
The Rise of Carrier Current Broadcasting
Following the closure of WCAC, UConn looked toward a new technology called carrier current. This method involves using low-power AM transmitters to feed signals into a building's electrical wiring, allowing any standard radio nearby to pick up the broadcast. Because the signal range is extremely limited, the FCC did not require these stations to be licensed.
Inspired by "The Brown Network" at Brown University, UConn established its own service. In February 1940, the university became a charter member of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS), a coordinating body for twelve college carrier current stations designed to attract student-focused advertisers.
Initially known as the "Husky Network" or the "University of Connecticut Broadcasting System" (UCBS), the station launched on April 8, 1940, using equipment built by students under the leadership of LaVerge Williams. While initially funded by the Student Senate, the station became financially independent by 1941 through advertising sales.
World War II caused a temporary shutdown as equipment became scarce and staff joined the military. Operations resumed in May 1946 under Dan Harris, broadcasting on 560 kHz. During this era, the station adopted the name WHUS, though the call letters were not yet formally assigned by the FCC. By 1963, the station achieved 24-hour broadcasting using automatic reverse tape reels.
Transition to Non-Commercial FM
A pivotal shift occurred in 1957 when the university received a license for a 10-watt non-commercial FM station operating on 90.5 MHz. This official FCC authorization formally assigned the WHUS call letters and allowed the station to reach audiences beyond the campus boundaries.
Over the following decades, WHUS expanded its reach and technical capabilities:
- 1966: Moved to 91.7 MHz.
- 1968: Increased power to 1,250 watts.
- 1974: Increased power to 3,200 watts.
By the mid-1970s, WHUS evolved into a community station, opening its doors to non-student volunteers to maintain 24-hour, year-round programming. A major studio refurbishment beginning in 1975 replaced vintage mono equipment, enabling the launch of FM-stereo broadcasting in 1977.
![WHUS On-Air Studio in 2007[10]](/images/3c/28/3c28e9a74076255e347ed5b442979fa5800155b2aa98ac497d748aae3a7d8442.jpg)
Modern Expansion and Digital Integration
The turn of the millennium brought significant infrastructure upgrades. In 1997, a new tower expanded the signal radius to 60 miles, bringing WHUS to the Hartford area. The station embraced the digital age in the summer of 1998 by beginning to webcast its signal over the Internet.
After a brief period in a North Campus farmhouse starting in 2002, the station returned to the Student Union in 2007, moving into state-of-the-art studios. This coincided with a 2006 website redesign that introduced a dynamic schedule database for listeners to track current and upcoming shows.
Key Facts
- First License: Issued June 1, 1923, as WABL.
- Carrier Current Era: Launched April 8, 1940, as the Husky Network/UCBS.
- FM Debut: Officially licensed as WHUS in 1957 at 90.5 MHz.
- Current Frequency: 91.7 MHz.
- Reach: A 60-mile radius achieved via a new tower in 1997.
- Digital Milestone: Webcasting began in the summer of 1998.
| Era/Station | Period | Technology | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| WABL / WCAC | 1923–1936 | AM (Licensed) | First university license; power increased to 500W. |
| Husky Network / UCBS | 1940–1970s | Carrier Current | Student-built equipment; 24-hour tape reels in 1963. |
| WHUS (FM) | 1957–Present | FM (Non-Commercial) | Formal FCC call letters; expansion to 60-mile radius. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the university surrender the WCAC license in 1936?
The license was surrendered due to frustrations with the Federal Radio Commission and FCC regarding restricted operating hours and frequent changes to power and frequency, which hindered the goal of creating a state-wide educational service.
What is carrier current broadcasting?
Carrier current is a method of transmitting low-power AM radio signals through a building's electrical wiring, allowing the signal to be received by standard radios in close proximity without requiring an FCC license.
When did WHUS become a community station?
In the mid-1970s, student managers decided to operate 24 hours a day year-round, which led to the inclusion of non-student volunteers in staffing and program production.
How did WHUS expand its audience in the late 1990s?
The station expanded its audience by building a new tower in 1997 that extended its signal to a 60-mile radius (reaching Hartford) and by launching internet webcasting in 1998.
What happened to the AM broadcasting system?
While predominant through the late 1960s, the closed-carrier AM system eventually fell into disrepair and was discontinued by the mid-1970s.