STATION HISTORY

Read a narrative describing the history of Dayton Public Radio, written by Adam Alonzo, with assistance from volunteers Jenny Paxson, Sam Dodson and Mike Kreutzer.

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.