Radio Tower 35: John Schmidt and WBAU

The Radio Tower

There had to have been easier ways to establish a college radio station on Long Island back in the 1960s but you get the sense that John Schmdit relishes a challenge. He enrolled at Adelphi University to earn another degree while working on the lunar landing module at Grumman. Discovering the small, student-run WALI opearting as a carrier current station heard only in the dorms, he was hooked. Over the ensuing years, whether as an Adlephi employee or a dedicated volunteer, he installed wires, raised antennae, negotiated time slots, and - with the help of others as dedicated as he - generally willed WBAU into existence.

On today's episode, John describes the saga of WBAU - a story that involves, among others, Nassau Community College, Sewanhaka High School, the FCC, and the Mariott Hotel in Uniondale.

Links

• Stories from WBAU Alumni
• WBAU Affinity Group
• PAWS Web Radio (Adelphi University)
• WBAU and Public Enemy
• Lens and Light Club - WPI
• WHPC Radio
• Station Bibliography
  • WBAU, WHPC 90.3 FM