Since 1994, WPR has been working to restore full coverage of both of its networks to listeners in the Chequamegon Bay area. Coverage was lost when a new commercial FM station in Ashland went on the air in 1992 at 93.3 MHz causing (legal) interference to KUWS-FM (91.3, Superior) and WHSA-FM (89.9, Brule), and WHBM-FM (90.3, Park Falls). The Chequamegon Bay is in the fringe coverage area for all three of those stations so they were not protected from interference. Local outcry was both abundant and passionate. Thus began the Clear Signal campaign to restore service. In 1998 a pair of very low power translator stations went on the air in Ashland bringing relief to some, but more work remained to fulfill the promise that we made to our listeners when we kicked off Clear SIgnal in 1994. A big piece of that promise was put into place with the sign-on of WUWS-FM (90.9, Ashland) in 2011. But we weren't done yet.
The final piece of Clear Signal will fall into place by early spring 2014 when WHWA-FM (104.7, Washburn) signs on, bringing WPR's NPR News & Classical Music Service to the Chequamegon Bay area. We've had a lot of help along the way. People in the Bay area have been very generous in their support of Wisconsin Public Radio and have been more than willing to contribute toward a service they love. We've also had some federal grants and a lot of support from Wisconsin Public Radio Association members all over the state. When 104.7-FM signs on we can put a big, fat, exclamation point on Clear Signal and raise a celebratory glass of something sparkling or even a cup of coffee in salute to a lot of hard work and dedication. Our listeners made this happen. Thank you.
