WBAA History

Read a new history of WBAA written by Jeanne Norberg, Voices of Purdue: Marking 90 Years of WBAA on Air, in the January/February 2012 issue of the Purdue Alumnus.

The Purdue Exponent - Tuesday, September 7, 1920

Much Equipment Added to Station

Radio Course to Be Opened Soon

Experiments to Obtain Ideal Aerial for Radio Station Improve Results

Much experimental work was carried on during the summer in an effort to secure the best possible type of aerial for the Purdue radio station. Because of the peculiar situation of the station, surrounded by tall buildings and trees, the problem which confronted Prof. R. V. Achatz, who is in charge of the station was a most difficult one. The temporary aerial which has now been erected has given some excellent results.

Good Results Obtained

WBAA received its license to operate on this date, April 4, 1922, however there was no notice in the news until later in the month.

The Purdue Exponent - Tuesday, April 4, 1922

Conference Radio News Service to Suspend Operations Next Week

The Purdue Exponent - Saturday, April 22, 1922

"9YB" Classed as An Official Broadcasting Point and Designated "W.B.A.A."

The Purdue Exponent - Thursday, October 12, 1922

WBAA Will Broadcast Talk Friday Evening

Prof. W. A. Price, of the Entomology department will be this week's speaker at the Purdue radio station Friday night. He will speak on the "Wintering of Bees" from 7:15 to 7:40.

The Purdue Engineering Review, Vol. 18, No. 2, p. 19, January 1923

Radio

The Purdue Exponent - Sunday, February 17, 1924

Purdue Union Will Broadcast Weekly Musical Programs

Beginning About May 1, Campus Musical Organizations Will Be Invited to Furnish Programs.

To Use Station WBAA.

Room of New Union Building to Be Set Aside Permanently for Use as Broadcasting Station.

October 2, 1928

WBAA is broadcasting at 1100 kHz with a power of 500 watts. The Federal Radio commission notified the station that effective November 11, 1928, WBAA would move to 1400 kHz. The station would share time on the same frequency with WKBF, Indianapolis, and WCMA, Culver, Indiana, both broadcasting with 500 watts...WBAA getting one-seventh of the time, WCMA two-sevenths, and WKBF four-sevenths. By now WBAA is in the new EE Building.

The Purdue Exponent - Thursday, November 13, 1924

Agricultural Talks to Be Broadcasted

Members of Agriculture and Extension Departments Will Speak

Arrangements have been made to broadcast a series of talks on agricultural topics at the University radio station WBAA every Friday evening at 7:15 o'clock. Most of the talks will be given by members of the agriculture extension departments.

The first of these to be broadcasted tomorrow evening has for its subject, "How to Make More Profits From Dairy Herds". The speaker will be Mr. G. A. Williams of the extension department. The following week Miss Aneta Beade of the same department will be heard in a talk on "The Thanksgiving Dinner".

Of Interest to Farmers.

July 31, 1930     This is the earliest station license in existence at WBAA. None of the earlier licenses survived.

The Purdue Exponent - Thursday, October 15, 1925

WBAA to Broadcast Program Tomorrow

Concert to Feature Agricultural Talk and Selections By White's Dance Orchestra.

WBAA will broadcast the first evening program of the school year from the university radio station Friday night, beginning at 7:15 o'clock. The program will consist of an agricultural talk by some member of the faculty, followed by a concert of dance numbers by White's orchestra, and reading by Miss Olive Stallard.

Two Programs Each Week.