WUVT-FM

Infobox Radio station
name = WUVT


city = Blacksburg, Virginia
area = Blacksburg, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Radford, Virginia
branding =
slogan =
airdate = 1947
frequency = 90.7 MHz
format = College
power = 3000 Watts
erp =
class = A
callsign_meaning = W Univ. of Virginia Tech
former_callsigns =
owner = Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
webcast = [http://www.wuvt.vt.edu/listen.html WUVT Webstream]
website = [http://www.wuvt.vt.edu/ WUVT Online]
affiliations =

WUVT-FM 90.7 has been an independent student run radio station operating from Virginia Tech's campus for 60 years, making it one of the longest running radio stations in Virginia. It originally began operation as an AM station in 1948 after a student created an AM transmitter in his dorm room. Today, like other student media organizations on campus, WUVT is a division of the Educational Media Company of Virginia Tech.

WUVT is known for its eclectic music, covering a wide swath of past and present music styles. DJs are typically students (and former students), who select content based upon their personal preferences. While it rarely plays music heard on commercial stations, this is a double-edged sword, as many potential listeners may also tune out unusual and unfamiliar songs.

WUVT broadcasts from 350 Squires Student Center while the 1984 Broadcast Electronics FM-3.5A transmitter, affectionately dubbed "Harriet," is stored in Lee Hall. The station currently transmits their signal with a Harris ZX3500 solid state transmitter on loan from Clear Channelcite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=RADIO PROFESSIONALS GIVE BACK TO VIRGINIA TECH RADIO STATION | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.wuvt.vt.edu/press/WUVT_PRESS_RELEASE_5.14.html | work =Press Release | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-14 | language = ] .

WUVT Chief Engineer Kevin Sterne was injured in the April 16, 2007 killing spree by a Virginia Tech student. After hearing about Kevin’s strong passion for the radio station and WUVT's technical difficulties during the tragedy and it's aftermath, officials from Clear Channel and the Society of Broadcast Engineers assisted in returning WUVT full power on April 28. Clear Channel donated a Harris Z5 transmitter, transmitter building, and antenna sufficient to generate 10 KW. Orban, CBS Radio, and Electronics Research, Inc. (ERI) also offered equipment and technical assistance in getting WUVT back on the air.

Power Increase

Virginia Radio and TV website [http://www.vartv.com VARTV.com] is reporting that WUVT "has requested to move it's antenna off-campus to a new location a mile away from and increase the antenna height from 141 feet to 429 feet. WUVT wants to be licensed as a Class C3 (from Class A) and increase its power from 3,000 watts to 10,000 watts."

In June of 2008, WUVT received authorization from the FCC to begin building a 6.5kW transmission facility.cite web | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=FM Query Results -- Audio Division FCC (USA) | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WUVT#10003 | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-21 | language = ] This construction permit was issued for a lower power due to a conflicting application with WEHC. Both stations filed applications for power increases which would have overlapped, so both WUVT and WEHC have compromised and re-submitted their applications at a lower power.cite web | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=CDBS Print (see exhibit 1) | date= | publisher= | url =http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101244604&formid=340&fac_num=70278 | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-21 | language = ]

Technical Accomplishments

* June 1969 - FM transmission authorized on 90.7MHz with 10 watts ERP
* 1970s - Upgraded license to 770 watts ERP, on the air with a donated RCA transmitter from GA
* Early 1980s - Upgraded license again, this time to 3,000 watts ERP, with new transmitter from Broadcast Electronics
* Late 1990s - Initiated Real Audio web simulcast
* Dec 2005 - First dynamic RDS subcarrier on in the New River Valley market
* Apr 2007 - Return to full licensed power
* September 2007 - WUVT files application with the FCC to increase power.
* June 2008 - WUVT receives a construction permit from the FCC to begin building a 6.5 kW transmission facility.

Related Links

* Kevin Sterne
* Collegiate Times
* The Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech

External links

*
*
* [http://www.wuvt.vt.edu/ WUVT Online]
* [http://www.wuvt.vt.edu/listen.html WUVT Webstream]
* [http://www.myspace.com/wuvt WUVT's MySpace page]

References