WEXP returns to AM radio

By Hannah Sussman
Collegian Reporter
August 30, 2006

After being broadcast exclusively online since 2003, La Salle’s student-run radio station WEXP can now be heard on radios in and around La Salle’s campus. WEXP’s return to terrestrial airwaves is an event that, “has been in the making for a really long time,” said WEXP’s general manager, Adam Bagni.

Students involved with the station hope that broadcasting WEXP on AM radio will open doors for both the station and La Salle as a whole.

“I think it gives the station a level of legitimacy, which we certainly deserved before, but didn’t necessarily have with Internet radio,” Bagni said.

Now, by tuning in to 1600 AM, students and staff can listen to the talk, music and sports coverage anywhere on campus. Additionally, the station will continue to be available to listeners worldwide on WEXP’s website, and will be broadcast in each of La Salle’s dining halls.

WEXP has a long history both on and off AM airwaves. The Federal Communications Commission rules allow college radio stations to install an antenna on campus, as long as the signal does not interfere with any commercial radio station. The antenna, located on top of the union building, broadcasts WEXP on various local AM stations until 2003. WEXP staff members decided to switch to internet radio, because of the distorted sound quality heard on terrestrial radio.

Now that WEXP has a new home on 1600 AM, a new program will air on weekday mornings from 7-9 a.m. The program, Good Morning La Salle, was broadcast for the first time on Aug. 28, and will feature a variety of WEXP hosts talking about news from La Salle and beyond.

Bagni hopes the morning show will be a hit with students, saying, “With the new morning show, we’re hoping La Salle students will set their alarm clocks and wake up to La Salle news and talk on WEXP.”

sussmanh1@lasalle.edu