STATION HISTORY

1980
January

Dayton Community Radio is formed to provide fine arts programming to Dayton. The corporate name is later changed to Dayton Public Radio, Inc.

1985
november 11

WDPR-FM 89.5 signs on as a 200-watt, monaural station staffed by volunteers. Airtime is seven hours per day.

1987
january
WDPR begins broadcasting 16 hours per day.

 

1989
February

Installation of new transmitter and antenna atop the Miami Valley Tower in Dayton provides 6,000 watts and a stereo signal.

1992
October

Dayton Public Radio receives a permit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to construct a new 50,000-watt broadcast facility in Greenville to expand service to the Miami and Whitewater Valleys.

1994
February
WDPG-FM 89.9 signs on providing 24-hour broadcasting service to the northern Miami Valley.
1998
June

Dayton Public Radio, Inc. purchases FM 88.1 in exchange for $500,000 and the existing FM 89.5 frequency. This purchase expands the signal's reach to the entire southern Miami Valley 24 hours a day. The transmitter and tower are located off Frytown Road in West Carrollton. The new location means that power must be reduced to 4,000 watts.

1999
September

Dayton Public Radio, Inc. pays off all debt associated with the acquisition of the new frequency - 17 months after purchase and 5 1/2 years early.

2000
December
A Dayton Public Radio endowment fund is established at the Dayton Foundation.

2001
March

Dayton Public Radio begins webcasting live on the Internet.

2003
March

Dayton Public Radio, Inc. establishes a permanent endowment fund at the Dayton Foundation to receive planned and deferred gifts that will support the future of the organization.

2005
February 14
WDPR-FM 88.1 begins broadcasting in hyper-digital (HD).

2007
June
WDPG-FM 89.9 begins broadcasting in hyper-digital (HD).

2013
September
Dayton Public Radio launches its new website, www.discoverclassical.org, with a new universal player compatible with most PCs and mobile devices.