WRCU-FM

WRCU-FM

Hamilton, New York
Broadcast area	Central New York
Frequency	90.1 FM
Programming
Format	Multi-format, freeform
Affiliations	WRVO
Ownership
Owner	Colgate University
History
First air date	1951 (1951)
Call sign meaning	"Radio Colgate University"
Technical information
Class	A
ERP	1,900 watts
HAAT	47 meters
Links
Webcast	Listen live
Website	wrcufm.org

WRCU-FM (90.1 FM) is Colgate University's student-run radio station. It is located in Hamilton, New York, and broadcasts a wide variety of music to the central New York region.

Format

Like many college radio stations, WRCU's main format is freeform, specializing in independent rock music, jazz, hip-hop, and world music. However, the station also has a large variety of specialty show formats, covering genres from metal to Celtic music. WRCU also has a handful of talk shows, covering sports and politics.

When the station is not on the air, late at night and during school breaks, it simulcasts WRVO, the local NPR affiliate.

History

According to alumni, the first movement for radio at Colgate was in 1913, where the "Radio Club of Colgate" was formed by students who were interested in communications. The station started in the 1950s by a handful of students who were merely tinkering with random parts. They began broadcasting on AM (600 & 640 kHz) using carrier current on the campus under the call letters WCU. The call sign was changed to WRCU in 1958 and coverage was expanded over the Hamilton community by broadcasting over the town's power lines. The station acquired a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast as an FM station, with the call letters WRCU-FM in 1970.

Famous alumni

• Joe Castiglione

External links

• WRCU 90.1 FM
• WRCU.FM
• Facility details for Facility ID WRCU ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's FM station database