TCNJ

17 SUMMER 2026 As the Trenton area's "only progressive rock FM station," WTSR differentiated its sound from the other regional stations and could be heard seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. In fall 1974, the station's frequency changed to 91.3 FM with an FCC-approved increase in transmitter power to 1,500 watts. With a listening radius of over 20 miles, WTSR became a big player on the local airwaves. "I remember other college stations, especially the one at nearby Rider College, feeling somewhat jealous of the 'state college station' power," says Kevin Quinn '75. I WAS A FRESHMAN COMMUTER STUDENT, starting to debate if college was for me, when I went to Kendall Hall to submit an overdue paper to my English professor. Trying to find my way out of that damp, dungeon-like basement, I noticed the letters WTSR and an arrow pointing left written in magic marker on the bricks of the wall. I followed the arrow, and at the end of the hallway was another WTSR brick with an arrow pointing right. I turned again, heard a loud clickety-clacking noise, and peeked in an open door. A long-haired guy with his feet up on a desk welcomed me in. I asked what all the clacking was and he showed me a teletype news machine that he called "Boris." Brian McEvoy '73 gave me a tour of the news booth and the on-air studio. Much of the trim in the studio still needed to be nailed in place, and there was a small pile of boards on the floor. I was amazed by the U-shaped counter with three turntables, a reel-to-reel recorder, and a huge control panel. The microphone on the boom seemed to float in the air. On one wall were shelves of the largest collection of records that I had ever seen. Brian asked if I wanted to be part of it. I had no idea about a radio station, but being an industrial arts education major, I did know a little about woodworking. A few days later, I found myself back in that basement, this time with my tool box, miter saw, and finishing nails. Before long, I felt I was part of a clubhouse. With that sense of belonging, I registered for classes for the next semester. TOM WEISS '75 Publicity director, DJ breakiNG NeWs "We had a United Press International machine in the office, and that's how we got the news and weather. We did what was called 'rip and read.' When it was time to do a couple minutes of news on the hour, we'd go to the machine and just rip off the last couple of pages and read them on air." TOM FITZPATRICK '73 Music MiX Bonnie Raitt Bruce Springsteen Duke Williams & the Extremes Hoochie Coochie JF Murphy & Salt Lon & Derek Van Eaton Melissa Manchester Outlaws "WTSR has more than just 1,500 watts of broadcast power; it has the power to change the course of people's lives." FACING PAGE TCNJ ARCHIVES, BOTTOM PETER MURPHY

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