WBAA

{{Short description|Radio station in West Lafayette, Indiana}} {{About|radio station WBAA in the United States|the international financial organization|World Business Angels Association}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox radio station dual | name1 = WBAA | name2 = WBAA-FM | logo = WBAA logo 2025.png | logo_alt = The letters WBAA in a sans serif, with the two As overlapping. To the right, in a sky blue color, is the WFYI logo: four triangles that form a square. Below, in black text, is the NPR logo and the words "Greater Lafayette". | logo_size = 235px | city = West Lafayette, Indiana | country = US | area = Lafayette metropolitan area | frequency1 = {{frequency|920|kHz}} {{HD Radio}} | frequency2 = {{frequency|101.3|MHz}} {{HD Radio}} | branding = WBAA News | language = English | format = Public radio | subchannels = '''WBAA-FM:''' {{ubl|HD2: Classical music|HD3: Jazz}} | affiliations = NPR, Classical Music Indy | owner = Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media, Inc. | licensee = | founded1 = 1919 as experimental station 9YB | airdate1 = {{start date|1922|04|04}}{{efn|The station's first licensed broadcast was made April 21, but April 4—the day it was licensed—has long been regarded by Purdue as its starting date.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bruce|last=Glezen|title=WBAA Broadcasts Glad Tidings To Celebrate 25 Years Service|date=April 4, 1947|work=Purdue Exponent|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19470404-01.1.1&srpos=44&e=-------en-20--41-byDA-txt-txIN-%22WBAA%22+%22April+4%22-------1|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320185934/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19470404-01.1.1&srpos=44&e=-------en-20--41-byDA-txt-txIN-%22WBAA%22+%22April+4%22-------1|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | callsign_meaning = none, sequentially assigned | licensing_authority = FCC | airdate2 = {{start date|1993|02|01}} | former_callsigns2 = WFUC (1991, CP){{efn|This was a sequential assignment; the FCC also had assigned WFUA, WFUB, and WFUD to stations at that time.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014749911}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-05-13.pdf|date=May 13, 1991|page=75|work=Broadcasting|title=Call Letters|via=World Radio History|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108155200/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-05-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref name="fcc1b">{{cite web |title=WBAA-FM Call Sign History |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=53947&Callsign=WBAA-FM |work=FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026060956/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=53947&Callsign=WBAA-FM |url-status=live }}</ref> | facility_id1 = 53946 | class1 = B | power1 = {{ubl|{{val|5000|u=watts|fmt=commas}} (day)|{{val|1000|u=watts|fmt=commas}} (night)}} | coordinates1 = {{coord|40|20|29|N|86|53|01|W|type:landmark_region:US-IN}} | facility_id2 = 53947 | class2 = B1 | erp2 = {{val|14000|u=watts|fmt=commas}} | haat2 = {{convert|120|m|ft|sp=us}} | coordinates2 = {{coord|40|17|50|N|86|54|05|W|type:landmark_region:US-IN}} | translator = {{Radio Relay|105.9|W290CM|Lafayette|WBAA-HD2}} | webcast = {{listenlive|https://www.wbaa.org}} | website = {{URL|https://www.wbaa.org/}} }}

'''WBAA''' (920 AM) and '''WBAA-FM''' (101.3 FM) are public radio stations licensed to West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, both serving the Lafayette metro area and the Indianapolis area with a news/talk format. The stations were founded by Purdue University, but in 2022, 100 years after WBAA's start, ownership was transferred to Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media, Inc. (MIPM), which also owns WFYI radio and television in Indianapolis. Both stations originate from studios in the Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music on the Purdue campus and transmitter sites south of Lafayette, with the WBAA-FM transmitter site at the Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center.{{r|FCC-LMS-53946|FCC-LMS-53947}}

WBAA, branded as "WBAA News", broadcasts a news-oriented format, with programming from National Public Radio (NPR). WBAA is the oldest operating radio station in Indiana, beginning in 1922 and with several antecedents on the Purdue campus. Originally a service noted for its limited agricultural extension and educational programming as well as Purdue sports broadcasts, it gradually improved its facilities and expanded its output over its first 20 years on air. The station was one of NPR's charter members in 1971. An FM adjunct, WBAA-FM, began broadcasting in 1993 and originally featured a mixture of NPR news and classical music; both stations will combine formats in early November 2025. WBAA-FM also transmits two HD Radio digital subchannels featuring classical and jazz, respectively; the classical subchannel is additionally relayed over low-power translator W290CM ({{Frequency|105.9|FM}}).

==History== ===Pre-broadcast radio at Purdue=== Experimentation in radio—then commonly known as "wireless telegraphy"—at Purdue University dated back to at least 1910, but initial attempts to construct a transmitter capable of communicating with other stations had limited success. A more ambitious effort in 1916, based at the Electrical laboratory, had to be suspended in early 1917, when, with the entry of the United States into World War I, most civilian stations were ordered to shut down. During the war, Purdue conducted radio instruction for students and military personnel.<ref name=Pearcy>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433090822671&view=1up&seq=481|date=1921|pages=41–44|first=N. C.|last=Pearcy|title=Radio Communication at Purdue|journal=Purdue Engineering Review|access-date=March 10, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181142/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433090822671&view=1up&seq=481|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the end of the war, civilian radio stations were again permitted. In 1919, the university was issued a temporary authorization, followed by a "Technical and Training School" license which was originally given the call sign of 9YA,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=351|date=August 1, 1919|page=5|title=New Stations: Special Land Stations|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 10, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181110/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=351|url-status=live}} The leading "9" in 9YA's call sign indicated that it was located in the ninth Radio Inspection district, while the "Y" signified that it was operating under a "Technical and Training School" license.</ref> which was changed the next year to 9YB.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=398|date=March 1, 1920|page=8|title=Alterations and Corrections: Special Land Stations|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 10, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181147/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=398|url-status=live}} This call sign change meant that 9YA could now be reassigned to the University of Iowa, which had operated a prominent station with this call sign prior to being shut down during World War I.</ref> 9YB's primary transmitter was a 2-kilowatt spark set, which transmitted on wavelengths of 200 meters (1500 kHz) and 375 meters (800 kHz) and could only send the dots-and-dashes of Morse code.<ref name=Pearcy/> It was employed to send and receive messages between Purdue and other stations around the Midwest. The ''Purdue Exponent'' newspaper used 9YB as part of a news service among Western Conference schools.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19210928-01.2.9&srpos=19&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|work=Purdue Exponent|title=Exponent Receives Radio News Service|page=1|date=September 28, 1921|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182236/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19210928-01.2.9&srpos=19&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|url-status=live}}</ref> For audio broadcasts, the station added a small transmitter that had been constructed as a thesis assignment by R. H. Vehling, class of 1921.<ref name=Pearcy/>

===Early years of WBAA=== Effective December 1, 1921, the United States Department of Commerce, which regulated radio at this time, adopted regulations requiring that stations broadcasting to the general public had to have a Limited Commercial license. Two wavelengths were designated for use by broadcasting stations: 360 meters (833 kHz) for "entertainment" programs and 485 meters (619 kHz) for "market and weather" reports.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=osu.32435066705633&view=1up&seq=200|date=January 3, 1922|page=10|title=Amendments to Regulations|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011110035/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=osu.32435066705633&view=1up&seq=200|url-status=live}}</ref> In order to conform with the new regulations, the university applied for a broadcasting station license, which was issued on April 5, 1922, with the call letters WBAA, for operation on the 360-meter "entertainment" wavelength.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=656|date=January 1, 1922|page=26|title=New Stations: Supplemental List—From Apr. 1 to Apr. 15, 1922|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=March 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309035540/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221816&view=1up&seq=656|url-status=live}} Three month term for Limited Commercial license, Serial #599, issued April 5, 1922, for WBAA, in West Lafayette, Indiana, for operation on 360 meters.</ref>{{efn|One source gives 370 meters (810 kHz), but at this time 833 kHz was used for all entertainment programming.{{r|Jour220422}} }} 9YB continued in use for experimental and amateur transmissions.<ref name="Jour240920">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800462/radio-men-plan-to-run-station/|date=September 20, 1924|page=12|title=Radio Men Plan To Run Station|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182239/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800462/radio-men-plan-to-run-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although not the first Indiana station to receive a broadcasting license, WBAA is the oldest surviving one. (Another contender, WSBT in South Bend, was not licensed until late June 1922.)<ref name="Jour720403">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990301/wbaa-voice-of-purdue-marks-50th-year/|date=April 3, 1972|page=A-3|first=Charlene|last=Gierkey|title=WBAA, Voice of Purdue, Marks 50th Year|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182246/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990301/wbaa-voice-of-purdue-marks-50th-year/|url-status=live}} WBAA was the fourth Indiana broadcasting station licensed under the December 1, 1921 broadcasting station regulations. The first three were: WLK, Indianapolis, licensed to the Hamilton Manufacturing Company (January 26, 1922-June 1, 1923); WOZ, Richmond, Palladium Printing Company (February 16, 1922-April 9, 1923); and WOH, Indianapolis, Hatfield Electric Company (February 18, 1922-February 14, 1923). WSBT received the state's ninth broadcasting station authorization, as WGAZ, on June 29, 1922, and is the state's second oldest surviving station.</ref>

The WBAA call sign was randomly assigned from a sequential list of available call letters and was one of the first four-letter call signs issued to a broadcasting station, as most earlier stations had received three-letter assignments.<ref name="Indi220604">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96799755/u-s-has-only-three-radio-call-letters/|date=June 4, 1922|page=44|title=U. S. Has Only Three Radio Call Letters|newspaper=The Indianapolis Sunday Star|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96799755/u-s-has-only-three-radio-call-letters/|url-status=live}}</ref> The earliest reported broadcast as WBAA was made on April 21, 1922, of an Arbor Day message prepared by Secretary of Agriculture Henry C. Wallace, that was read over numerous stations across the United States.<ref name="Jour220422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96799372/purdue-permitted-to-radio-broadcast/|date=April 22, 1922|page=3|title=Purdue Permitted To Radio Broadcast|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96799372/purdue-permitted-to-radio-broadcast/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Much of the output from WBAA in its early years consisted of talks from Purdue's agricultural extension and engineering departments. These included such discussions as "The Hot School Dinner",<ref name="Jour221118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800065/talk-broadcasted-from-wbaa-friday/|date=November 18, 1922|page=3|title=Talk Broadcasted From WBAA Friday|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800065/talk-broadcasted-from-wbaa-friday/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Home Canning of Meats", "Bread from Indiana Flour", and "Elimination of Smoke, Dust, and Fumes in Industrial Processes".<ref name="Dail230330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800265/many-are-reached-by-purdues-radio/|date=March 30, 1923|page=12|title=Many Are Reached By Purdue's Radio|newspaper=The Daily Republican|location=Rushville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182241/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800265/many-are-reached-by-purdues-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also broadcast by the station were livestock reports from Chicago's market<ref name="Jour230207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800220/many-are-getting-markets-by-radio/|date=February 7, 1923|page=12|title=Many Are Getting Markets by Radio|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800220/many-are-getting-markets-by-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> and broadcasts of Purdue sports, such as the dedication ceremony of Ross–Ade Stadium in 1924 and Purdue–Indiana basketball games.<ref name="Munc241120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800489/dedication-services-will-be-broadcast/|date=November 20, 1924|page=2|title=Dedication Services Will Be Broadcast|newspaper=Muncie Evening Press|location=Muncie, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800489/dedication-services-will-be-broadcast/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pall250226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800556/purdue-indiana-net-engagement-friday/|date=February 26, 1925|page=13|title=Purdue-Indiana Net Engagement Friday Will Be Broadcast|newspaper=Palladium-Item|location=Richmond, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800556/purdue-indiana-net-engagement-friday/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After more transmitting frequencies became available, WBAA was reassigned to 1060 kHz in 1924,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=386|date=August 1, 1924|page=6|title=Alterations and Corrections|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181155/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=386|url-status=live}}</ref> which was changed the next year to 1100 kHz.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=506|date=February 2, 1925|page=8|title=Alterations and Corrections|journal=Radio Service Bulletin|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181203/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=506|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1926, the station's broadcasting schedule was 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with test transmissions as experimental station 9XY after midnight on Saturdays.<ref name="Indi251229">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800708/the-microphone/|date=December 29, 1925|page=7|title=The Microphone|first=Dan V.|last=Goodman|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182348/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96800708/the-microphone/|url-status=live}}</ref> Power was raised to 500 watts, by which time the station was airing the full slate of Purdue home basketball games.<ref name="Jour261217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801482/raise-power-of-purdue-station/|date=December 17, 1926|page=1|title=Raise Power Of Purdue Station|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801482/raise-power-of-purdue-station/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Federal Radio Commission (FRC), formed in 1927, downgraded the nighttime power of a University of Illinois station, WRM, from 1,000 to 500 watts, and ordered it to share WBAA's frequency.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=49999 |title= History Cards for WBAA|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)</ref><ref name="Pant270526">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97967763/to-make-radio-changes-june-1/|date=May 26, 1927|page=16|title=To Make Radio Changes June 1|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington, Illinois|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97967763/to-make-radio-changes-june-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 11, 1928, with the implementation of the FRC's General Order 40, WBAA was reassigned to 1400 kHz, sharing time with two other Indiana stations: Culver Military Academy's WCMA and WKBF, a commercial station in Indianapolis. WKBF got a power boost to 500 watts but now had to share air time with the other two stations,<ref name="Star280911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97968055/wlbc-shares-with-kokomo-reallocations-f/|date=September 11, 1928|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97968134/ 9]|first=Everett C.|last=Watkins|title=WLBC Shares With Kokomo: Reallocations for Radio Stations Are Announced.|newspaper=The Star Press|location=Muncie, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182410/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97968055/wlbc-shares-with-kokomo-reallocations/|url-status=live}}</ref> with WKBF allotted four-sevenths, two-sevenths assigned to WCMA, and the remaining seventh assigned to WBAA, primarily on Mondays and Fridays.<ref name="Tipt301004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96802465/purdue-broadcasts-station-on-the-air/|date=October 4, 1930|page=4|title=Purdue Broadcasts: Station on the Air Saturday for the Football Game.|newspaper=The Tipton Daily Tribune|location=Tipton, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182349/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96802465/purdue-broadcasts-station-on-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1929 fire, rebuild, and full-time operation=== On the afternoon of March 14, 1929, a fire erupted that destroyed the facilities of WBAA; it was reported to have started when a spark ignited hydrogen gas that was leaking from batteries.<ref name="Jour290315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801787/purdue-radio-station-destroyed-by-fire/|date=March 15, 1929|page=1|title=Purdue Radio Station Destroyed By Fire Originating in Batteries|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182350/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801787/purdue-radio-station-destroyed-by-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> The blaze also caused smoke damage to the Electrical Engineering Building in which WBAA was located; some students had to be rescued from windowsills, where they had fled the advancing fire.{{r|Jour290315}} Purdue immediately began planning to rebuild WBAA as a 1,000-watt station, but the FRC would only allow it to continue as a 500-watt outlet.{{r|hc}} Operations of WBAA resumed at the end of January 1930 after more than 10 months of silence; the facility was prepared to broadcast with 1,000 watts if the opportunity ever presented itself.<ref name="Jour300128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801686/purdue-radio-station-wbaa-gets/|date=January 28, 1930|page=1|title=Purdue Radio Station WBAA Gets Broadcasting License|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182351/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96801686/purdue-radio-station-wbaa-gets/|url-status=live}}</ref> Purdue also successfully applied to begin broadcasts with 1,000 watts during daylight hours.<ref name="Jour300930">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96802321/more-power-for-station-wbaa-is-asked-by/|date=September 30, 1930|page=3|title=More Power for Station WBAA Is Asked By Purdue|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182417/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96802321/more-power-for-station-wbaa-is-asked-by/|url-status=live}}</ref> WCMA ceased broadcasts in 1932, with its time going to WKBF, which also purchased its assets.<ref name="Culv321116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97969895/radio-station-wcma-goes-off-the-air/|date=November 16, 1932|page=1|title=Radio Station WCMA Goes Off The Air|newspaper=The Culver Citizen|location=Culver, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182352/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97969895/radio-station-wcma-goes-off-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Indi321107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97969763/wkbf-request-granted-gets-time-of-wcma/|date=November 7, 1932|page=17|title=WKBF Request Granted: Gets Time of WCMA, Culver—Purdue Has Time for Game.|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97969763/wkbf-request-granted-gets-time-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> WKBF was allowed to use the frequency on a full-time basis from late May to October, when Purdue was on summer break.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1505542926}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1933/1933-06-01-BC.pdf|date=June 1, 1933|work=Broadcasting|page=17|title=WKBF, Indianapolis...|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151253/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1933/1933-06-01-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The station was rebuilt in 1933; all of the equipment was built on the Purdue campus.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wbaa.org/education/2011-11-17/broadcasting-in-the-1934-1935-school-year|first=E. F.|last=Kueck|work=The Purdue Engineer|title=A New WBAA Emerges|via=WBAA|date=December 1934|page=21|quote=The whole set, even the microphones, was constructed on the Purdue campus.|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182357/https://www.wbaa.org/education/2011-11-17/broadcasting-in-the-1934-1935-school-year|url-status=live}}</ref> The large water-cooled transmitter, on the top floor of the Electrical Engineering Building, was in a space so inadequately ventilated that engineer Ralph Townsley wondered why it never burned up.<ref name="Jour820709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991849/purdue-radio-readying-new-towers/|date=July 9, 1982|page=D-1|title=Purdue radio readying new towers|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182357/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991849/purdue-radio-readying-new-towers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1934, the FRC granted full time to WKBF and moved WBAA to a new frequency,<ref name="Indi340702">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97970104/more-air-for-local-stations/|date=July 2, 1934|page=8|title=More Air for Local Stations.|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182430/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97970104/more-air-for-local-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref> 890 kHz, which it would share with WILL, the former WRM in Illinois.{{r|hc}} Broadcasting on the new dial position began that August.<ref>{{cite news|page=10|title=Grant WBAA Air Privileges: Station Plans Daytime Radio Programs|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19340908-01.1.10&srpos=582&e=-------en-20--581-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|work=Purdue Exponent|date=September 8, 1934|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182405/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19340908-01.1.10&srpos=582&e=-------en-20--581-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|url-status=live}}</ref> That fall, it broadcast for four and a half hours a day, six days a week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19341023-01.1.1&srpos=596&e=-------en-20--581-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|work=Purdue Exponent|title=WBAA Will Inaugurate Longer Programs Nov. 1|date=October 23, 1934|page=1|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182417/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19341023-01.1.1&srpos=596&e=-------en-20--581-byDA-txt-txIN-%22radio+station%22-------1|url-status=live}}</ref>

left|alt=A postcard showing two adjoining brick buildings, labeled Hall of Music and Administration Building|thumb|WBAA moved its studios into the Hall of Music in 1941 As early as 1937, Purdue filed to relocate the transmitter and increase daytime power to 5,000 watts.{{r|hc}} The first proposal involved relocating the transmitter to a more central location in the state and establishing a studio in Indianapolis,<ref name="Jour370913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992985/purdue-asking-full-time-for-radio-statio/|date=September 13, 1937|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Purdue Asking Full Time for Radio Station|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182358/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992985/purdue-asking-full-time-for-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as converting WBAA into a partly commercial operation; this was vetoed by the Purdue board of trustees.{{r|Jour720403}} The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved in November 1940,<ref name="Jour401023">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976144/radio-station-at-purdue-will-get-increas/|date=October 23, 1940|page=1|title=Radio Station at Purdue Will Get Increased Power|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976144/radio-station-at-purdue-will-get/|url-status=live}}</ref> setting up an eventful 1941 for the Purdue station. In February, the studios moved out of three rooms in the Electrical Engineering Building to the Elliott Hall of Music.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Equipment Will Increase Power Of 'Voice Of Purdue' To 50,000 Watts|first=Lee|last=Ruffner|date=January 12, 1941|access-date=March 19, 2022|page=1|work=Purdue Exponent|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19410112-01.1.1&srpos=1&e=------194-en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-WBAA----1941---1|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182459/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19410112-01.1.1&srpos=1&e=------194-en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-WBAA----1941---1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19410209-01.1.1&srpos=8&e=------194-en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-WBAA----1941---1|title=WBAA Moves To New Home in Music Hall|page=1|work=Purdue Exponent|date=February 9, 1941|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182402/https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19410209-01.1.1&srpos=8&e=------194-en-20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-WBAA----1941---1|url-status=live}}</ref> The new transmitter site was not ready for several more months, but one last change was in store for the old one; on March 29, WBAA moved from 890 to 920 kHz, along with all stations on that frequency, as part of the frequency reorganization of NARBA.{{r|hc}} Broadcasting began from the new 5,000-watt transmitter south of Lafayette on September 27;<ref name="Jour410927">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976819/|date=September 27, 1941|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976770/ 2]|title=Radio Station at Purdue Launches Greater Service|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182438/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976819/radio-station-at-purdue-launches/|url-status=live}}</ref> the site included three {{convert|265|ft|m|adj=on}} towers to support the directional antenna pattern used at night.<ref name="Jour410920">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976634/expanded-purdue-radio-station-on-air-sep/|date=September 20, 1941|page=12|title=Expanded Purdue Radio Station on Air September 22|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97976634/expanded-purdue-radio-station-on-air/|url-status=live}}</ref>

WBAA's educational service was also increasing. In 1944, the station began to broadcast the "Purdue University School of the Air", radio school programming that by 1952 was being listened to by 275,000 schoolchildren in Indiana and neighboring states;<ref name="Jour520405">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97977171/wbaa-lights-30th-candle-on-birthday-cake/|date=April 5, 1952|page=Magazine 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97977399/ 20]|title=WBAA Lights 30th Candle on Birthday Cake: Indiana's first radio station was a pioneer in many ways|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182404/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97977171/wbaa-lights-30th-candle-on-birthday/|url-status=live}}</ref> this continued until 1968.<ref name="Jour770301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991821/wbaa-nears-55th-anniversary/|date=March 1, 1977|page=B-2|title=WBAA nears 55th anniversary|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991821/wbaa-nears-55th-anniversary/|url-status=live}}</ref> There were adult education courses, coverage of Purdue and West Lafayette High School sporting events, and market reports, broadcast from a station with 16 staff and 35 student staffers.{{r|Jour520405}} WBAA began to distribute tapes of its programming to other commercial and noncommercial broadcasters in the mid-1950s.<ref name="Jour560917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97977852/33-years-old-purdue-radio-station-serve/|date=September 17, 1956|page=24|title=33 Years Old: Purdue Radio Station Serves Entire State|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182404/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97977852/33-years-old-purdue-radio-station/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1959, Purdue filed for and received a construction permit to expand its service to FM on 99.1 MHz. The university wanted to improve its nighttime service, which due to the nature of the AM operation was directional and had poor reception going any direction other than north from Lafayette.<ref name="Jour590911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97989596/purdue-fm-station-has-ok-of-fcc/|date=September 11, 1959|page=29|title=Purdue FM Station Has OK of FCC|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182403/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97989596/purdue-fm-station-has-ok-of-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, work was delayed on the project because Purdue engineering resources were diverted to the Stratovision program of the Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction, which used flying TV transmitters to broadcast educational TV content over a wide area.<ref name="Jour600913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97989305/wbaa-has-given-students-airwave-link-wit/|date=September 13, 1960|page=42|title=WBAA Has Given Students Airwave Link With Purdue|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97989305/wbaa-has-given-students-airwave-link/|url-status=live}}</ref> Purdue ultimately forfeited the construction permit in 1962.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014458366}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-10-01-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=October 1, 1962|page=90|title=For the Record|via=World Radio History|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151252/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-10-01-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The late 1960s also saw the station begin to do some of its own news reporting of demonstrations that were taking place on the campus; the times also inspired a series of new programs on race relations and birth control.<ref name="Jour690909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991745/purdue-radio-nearing-its-50th-anniversar/|date=September 9, 1969|page=30|title=Purdue Radio Nearing Its 50th Anniversary|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182433/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991745/purdue-radio-nearing-its-50th/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jour700915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991785/wbaa-modifies-approach-to-programming/|date=September 15, 1970|page=49|title=WBAA Modifies Approach to Programming|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991785/wbaa-modifies-approach-to-programming/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, its programming continued to focus on education and shows for the "mature, enriched adult", including classical music selections.<ref name="Jour660913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992147/aims-of-wbaa-radio-vary-from-commercial/|date=September 13, 1966|page=38|title=Aims of WBAA Radio Vary From Commercial Stations|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182600/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992147/aims-of-wbaa-radio-vary-from-commercial/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several early WBAA alumni went on to other broadcast roles, locally and nationally. Durwood Kirby's lengthy broadcasting and media career got its start at WBAA in the early 1930s.<ref name="Jour870329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992898/wbaa-marks-65th-durwood-kirby-started-c/|date=March 29, 1987|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992912/ C2]|first=Byron|last=Parvis|title=WBAA marks 65th: Durwood Kirby started career here|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182602/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992898/wbaa-marks-65th-durwood-kirby-started/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dick Shively, who was a sportscaster in the late 1930s, owned television stations in several Midwestern states, including WLFI-TV in Lafayette.<ref name="Jour690419">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992194/west-lafayettes-dick-shivelycreator-of/|date=April 19, 1969|page=Magazine 10|first=Jack R.|last=Martin|title=West Lafayette's Dick Shively—Creator Of Sports Network|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992194/west-lafayettes-dick-shivelycreator/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chris Schenkel went on to a career as a radio and television sportscaster.<ref name="Jour650914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50367533/journal-and-courier/|date=September 14, 1965|page=36|title=WBAA at Purdue University Is Indiana's Oldest Radio Station|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50367533/journal-and-courier/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lew Wood later was the news anchor on ''Today'' in 1975 and 1976, and actors George Peppard and Karen Black also worked at WBAA while at Purdue.{{r|Jour720403}}

===Public radio=== WBAA was one of the charter members of NPR and carried its inaugural broadcast, the first edition of ''All Things Considered'', on May 1, 1971.<ref name="Jour710430">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990423/90-minute-newscast-in-new-format/|date=April 30, 1971|page=17|title=90-Minute Newscast in New Format|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182602/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990423/90-minute-newscast-in-new-format/|url-status=live}}</ref> The addition of NPR to WBAA helped increase interest in the radio station among the general audience.<ref name="Jour740827">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990446/radio-still-alive-kicking-in-52nd-year/|date=August 27, 1974|page=F-6|title=Radio Still Alive, Kicking in 52nd Year|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990446/radio-still-alive-kicking-in-52nd-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also rounded out a station that was in its 50th year of providing a varied service: courses for Purdue University credit, a late evening rock show, educational programming syndicated to dozens of stations nationwide, and the origination of Purdue football broadcasts to 13 commercial stations across Indiana.<ref name="Jour710914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990523/radio-unit-expands-broadcasting/|date=September 14, 1971|page=50|title=Radio Unit Expands Broadcasting|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990523/radio-unit-expands-broadcasting/|url-status=live}}</ref> The football games continued on the station through the 1989 season, making WBAA the last university radio station in the Big Ten to still carry its team's games; in 1990, syndicator Raycom Sports dropped WBAA from the network in order to give it increased flexibility with commercial inventory.<ref name="Jour900914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992331/wbaa-loses-purdue-football-broadcasts/|date=September 14, 1990|page=C4|title=WBAA loses Purdue football broadcasts|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992331/wbaa-loses-purdue-football-broadcasts/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, WBAA continued to air smaller sports events, such as women's basketball.<ref name="Jour970405">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992594/wbaa-turning-75/|date=April 5, 1997|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992611/ A2]|first=Kathy|last=Matter|title=WBAA turning 75|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992594/wbaa-turning-75/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A 1982 windstorm toppled one of the three towers used at night and twisted another requiring the station to temporarily broadcast with reduced power after sunset;<ref name="Jour820410">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990092/radio-music-news-survive-big-winds/|date=April 10, 1982|page=A-7|first=Mary|last=Fastenau|title=Radio music, news survive big winds|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990092/radio-music-news-survive-big-winds/|url-status=live}}</ref> all three masts were replaced.{{r|Jour820709}}

Thirty years after its first attempt, Purdue filed again in 1989 to build a new radio station on the FM band in West Lafayette, with another channel allocated to the area at the university's request.<ref name="Jour880216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992395/going-fm-inevitable-wbaa-manager-says/|date=February 16, 1988|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992401/ B3]|first=David|last=Smith|title=Going FM inevitable, WBAA manager says|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992395/going-fm-inevitable-wbaa-manager-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC approved the application for WBAA-FM in 1991, with the intention to create a musically oriented FM service and a news- and talk-focused AM station.<ref name="Jour910623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990617/how-do-you-wrap-a-radio-station/|date=June 23, 1991|page=D1|first=John|last=Norberg|title=How do you wrap a radio station?|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990617/how-do-you-wrap-a-radio-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> A fundraising drive was led by Purdue's class of 1942 to finance construction.<ref name="Jour911114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990666/class-kicks-off-drive-to-raise-station-f/|date=November 14, 1991|page=B3|title=Class kicks off drive to raise station funds|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990666/class-kicks-off-drive-to-raise-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> WBAA-FM went into operation on February 1, 1993, providing a mostly automated classical music service.<ref name="Jour930202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990718/wbaa-fm-starts-with-national-anthem/|date=February 2, 1993|page=A5|title=WBAA-FM starts with national anthem|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182612/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990718/wbaa-fm-starts-with-national-anthem/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jour930130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990691/only-news-will-be-live-on-new-wbaa-wher/|date=January 30, 1993|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990703/ B2]|first=Joe|last=Gerrety|title=Only news will be live on new WBAA, where the classics are classical|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97990691/only-news-will-be-live-on-new-wbaa/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hall of Music studios were also remodeled to support the second station.<ref name="Jour920501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991708/new-station-could-be-coming-soon/|date=May 1, 1992|page=E4|first=Kathy|last=Matter|title=New station could be coming soon|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182638/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991708/new-station-could-be-coming-soon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Dropping NPR=== In September 1992, WBAA announced it would cease to broadcast programs distributed by NPR because of a 20 percent increase in subscription fees to NPR for 1993. It replaced NPR fare with shows from other public radio distributors, such as American Public Radio and the BBC World Service.<ref name="Jour920902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59454587/|date=September 2, 1992|page=A1|first=Judith|last=Cebula|title=WBAA drops National Public Radio|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59454587/journal-and-courier/|url-status=live}}</ref> The decision generated significant pushback from listeners;<ref name="Jour920903">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992446/listeners-upset-but-wbaa-stands-behind/|date=September 3, 1992|page=A1|first=Jennifer E.|last=Smith|title=Listeners upset, but WBAA stands behind decision|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992446/listeners-upset-but-wbaa-stands-behind/|url-status=live}}</ref> WILL in Illinois began to woo disaffected WBAA listeners seeking their favorite NPR shows, going as far as to run newspaper ads in Lafayette.<ref name="Jour921013">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992469/illinois-station-woos-wbaa-audience/|date=October 13, 1992|page=A8|first=Joe|last=Gerrety|title=Illinois station woos WBAA audience|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992469/illinois-station-woos-wbaa-audience/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995, local listeners began to receive some NPR programming again when WVXU in Cincinnati acquired WNDY, a silent commercial station licensed to Crawfordsville, and relaunched it as WVXI; however, WVXI only aired ''Morning Edition'' and not ''All Things Considered''.<ref name="Jour950524">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992506/npr-on-the-way-back-to-area-airwaves/|date=May 24, 1995|page=A12|first=Linda|last=Lipp|title=NPR on the way back to area airwaves|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182656/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992506/npr-on-the-way-back-to-area-airwaves/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jour970630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992639/wbaa-revives-national-public-radio/|date=June 30, 1997|page=A1|first=Rae Ann|last=Rockhill|title=WBAA revives National Public Radio|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992639/wbaa-revives-national-public-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Purdue officials began approaching the local business community in 1996, seeking financial support to return NPR output to the WBAA stations.<ref name="Jour960705">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992542/support-for-npr-sought-purdue-officials/|date=July 5, 1996|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992553/ B2]|first=John|last=Norberg|title=Support for NPR sought: Purdue officials approaching business leaders|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992542/support-for-npr-sought-purdue/|url-status=live}}</ref> The simultaneous threat of federal cuts to public broadcasting led WBAA to start its first-ever pledge drive that fall.<ref name="Jour961016">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992559/wbaa-starts-fundraising-drive/|date=October 16, 1996|page=A12|first=Joan|last=McShane|title=WBAA starts fundraising drive|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992559/wbaa-starts-fundraising-drive/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 1997, Purdue received enough financial support from listeners to return WBAA to NPR after nearly five years away.{{r|Jour970630}}

===WBAA in the 21st century=== WBAA began 24-hour broadcasting on FM in 1994 and on AM in 1998.<ref name="Jour940306">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56427934/journal-and-courier/|date=March 6, 1994|title=WBAA becomes 24-hour station|page=B3|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56427934/journal-and-courier/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jour980516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991963/wbaa-am-responds-to-listener-requests-wi/|date=May 16, 1998|page=C1|title=WBAA-AM responds to listener requests with 24-hour lineup|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97991963/wbaa-am-responds-to-listener-requests/|url-status=live}}</ref> Internet streaming of the WBAA stations began in 2000.<ref name="Jour000301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992113/wbaa-to-expand-broadcast-area-via-intern/|date=March 1, 2000|page=B7|title=WBAA to expand broadcast area via Internet|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182703/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992113/wbaa-to-expand-broadcast-area-via/|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, a $1.5 million expansion of the Hall of Music studios was approved by Purdue's board of trustees in lieu of relocating them to the South Campus where a fine arts center was being built.<ref name="Jour000205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992252/tight-quarters-will-loosen-at-wbaa-radio/|date=February 5, 2000|page=B1|first=Kevin|last=Cullen|title=Tight quarters will loosen at WBAA radio|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992252/tight-quarters-will-loosen-at-wbaa-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, the FM station was approved to increase power to the present 14,000 watts.<ref name="Jour080717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62405576/journal-and-courier/|date=July 17, 2008|page=C3|title=WBAA gets signal boost|first=Brian|last=Wallheimer|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182720/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62405576/journal-and-courier/|url-status=live}}</ref> The change came as an equipment renovation was already planned; the AM station began broadcasting in HD Radio that December,<ref name="Jour081213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992013/purdue-am-radio-station-goes-digital/|date=December 13, 2008|page=C1|title=Purdue AM radio station goes digital|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992013/purdue-am-radio-station-goes-digital/|url-status=live}}</ref> and after the FM upgrade in 2009, WBAA-FM also debuted HD Radio, initially using an HD2 subchannel to rebroadcast WXPN in Philadelphia.<ref name="Jour100905">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992032/wbaa-finds-clear-advantage-in-hd-radio/|date=September 5, 2010|page=B8|first=Kathy|last=Mayer|title=WBAA finds clear advantage in HD Radio|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182704/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992032/wbaa-finds-clear-advantage-in-hd-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> The most recent signal improvement came in 2016, when the AM station added an FM translator at 105.9 MHz, a 220-watt facility that enables FM reception of the AM service in the immediate Lafayette area and within campus buildings where AM signals had been poorly received.<ref name="Jour161025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60381677/journal-and-courier/|date=October 25, 2016|page=A3|title=WBAA adds FM frequency to its selection|first=Jillian|last=Ellison|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60381677/journal-and-courier/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, WBAA announced it planned to remove ''This American Life'' from its schedule after the show announced plans to add Pandora as a distributor, a decision general manager Mike Savage panned as unprincipled and troubling for public radio.<ref name="Jour160518">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992752/wbaa-to-yank-this-american-life-off-ai/|date=May 18, 2016|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992759/wbaa/ 6A]|first=Dave|last=Bangert|title=WBAA to yank 'This American Life' off air|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992752/wbaa-to-yank-this-american-life-off/|url-status=live}}</ref> The announcement met with poor reception from listeners, and WBAA dropped the plan within days.<ref name="Jour160521">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992773/wbaa-backs-down-keeps-show-in-lineup/|date=May 21, 2016|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992788/ 4A]|first=Dave|last=Bangert|title=WBAA backs down, keeps show in lineup|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182707/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97992773/wbaa-backs-down-keeps-show-in-lineup/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sale to Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media=== In July 2021, Purdue University announced plans to transfer WBAA management to Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media (MIPM), the owner of WFYI radio and television in Indianapolis, pending approval by the Purdue board of trustees and subsequently by the FCC.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Purdue News|title=Purdue announces intent to partner with Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media for future of WBAA radio|url=https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q3/purdue-announces-intent-to-partner-with-metropolitan-indianapolis-public-media-for-future-of-wbaa-radio.html|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=www.purdue.edu|language=en|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701230709/https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q3/purdue-announces-intent-to-partner-with-metropolitan-indianapolis-public-media-for-future-of-wbaa-radio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2022, the deal was filed with the FCC; the stations would be sold to MIPM along with a $500,000 commitment over two years for initial operating costs, while MIPM would give Purdue $700,000 in underwriting announcements over a 10-year period and $300,000 in paid student internships to Purdue students as well as nominal lease fees for WBAA's studios and transmission facilities.<ref name="RI220209">{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210298/wfyi-indianapolis-to-purchase-wbaa-lafayette-from-purdue-university/|access-date=March 20, 2022|first=Lance|last=Venta|date=February 9, 2022|work=RadioInsight|title=WFYI Indianapolis To Purchase WBAA Lafayette From Purdue University|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210133826/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210298/wfyi-indianapolis-to-purchase-wbaa-lafayette-from-purdue-university/|url-status=live}}</ref> Integration with the WFYI stations would come in the form of some WBAA programs being broadcast to WFYI listeners as well as WBAA members gaining access to PBS Passport from WFYI TV.{{r|RI220209}} The sale was finalized on June 30, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Christopherson |first=Margaret |date=July 1, 2022 |title=Purdue completes transfer, sale of WBAA to WFYI after a century of operation |language=en-US |work=The Journal & Courier |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2022/07/01/west-lafayette-npr-affiliate-radio-station-wbaa-sale-wfyi-mipm-finalized/7788782001/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311181138/https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2022/07/01/west-lafayette-npr-affiliate-radio-station-wbaa-sale-wfyi-mipm-finalized/7788782001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 22, 2025, MIPM announced WBAA's NPR news and talk lineup would be simulcast full-time over WBAA-FM starting on November 3. In turn, WBAA-FM's classical programming will move to WBAA-HD2 and simulcast on low-power translator W290CM (which heretofore simulcast the AM) displacing the HD2's jazz format to WBAA-HD3.<ref name="z203">{{cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=October 22, 2025 |title=WBAA To Move News/Talk & Classical Stations |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/314706/wbaa-to-move-news-talk-classical-stations/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |work=RadioInsight}}</ref>

==Programming== WBAA and WBAA-FM currently carries a service of news and talk programs, with such key shows as ''Morning Edition'', ''All Things Considered'', and ''Marketplace'', as well as the BBC World Service in overnight hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WBAA News Broadcast Schedule |url=https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-news |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=WBAA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WBAA News on 105.9 FM and AM 920 Radio Schedule |url=https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-news-on-105-9-fm-and-am-920-radio-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182543/https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-news-on-105-9-fm-and-am-920-radio-schedule |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=WBAA |language=en}}</ref> WBAA-FM offers a service of classical music primarily consisting of programming from Classical Music Indy, ''Performance Today'', and other music shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WBAA Classical Broadcast Schedule |url=https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-classical |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=WBAA |language=en}}</ref>

WBAA-FM's HD3 subchannel airs jazz music from the PubJazz service as well as a Saturday night block of several specialty shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WBAA Jazz 101.3 FM HD2 Radio Schedule |url=https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-jazz-101-3-fm-hd2-radio-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320182601/https://www.wbaa.org/wbaa-jazz-101-3-fm-hd2-radio-schedule |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=WBAA |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== Joint * {{official website|https://www.wbaa.org}} WBAA {{AM station data|53946|WBAA}} *{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=49999 |title= History Cards for WBAA|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) (covering 1927–1980) * {{FCC-LMS-Facility|155740|W290CM}} * {{FXL|W290CM}} WBAA-FM * {{FM station data|53947|WBAA-FM}}

BAA Category:NPR member stations Category:Radio stations established in 1922 Category:Purdue University mass media Category:West Lafayette, Indiana Category:1922 establishments in Indiana

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