WDNR threatening to go off the air

Master Blaster needs YOU to support Chester radio

Widener University is considering giving up on their radio station. If you tune into Master Blaster in the mornings, you may have noticed that there has been ‘dead-air’ most of the summer. Master Blaster told me they were fixing some things and would be back on when school starts, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I never thought Chester took advantage of having a local university radio station broadcasting in their midst. Other than Master Blaster, rarely has Chester folks appeared on the station for long.

For years, you could count on Master Blaster bringing clean, fun, familiar music mostly for us grown folks. He always took an hour of his show to feature only Chester talent. He shouted-out local Chester businesses. He brought local artist, business people, and politicians into the studio every chance he could. 

As much as Master Blaster had a strong following, there were many who simply ignored how WDNR could benefit the local community. It was like the radio station didn’t even exist.

When the revamped AM station came back recently to the Chester area bringing church sermons and local interviews, there seemed to be a lot of excitement. Sure, it’s nice to have a new station, but I couldn’t understand why folks ignored the existence of a FM station, with a much clearer signal covering the same area. 

And for the students of Widener, I can’t imagine how they feel about not having a radio station. That’s as much a part of the college experience as dorm living and a meal plan. 

Hopefully, Widener will rethink their consideration on closing down the station.

Your letters of support for WDNR would go a long way. Write to the university and tell them how important the station is to you if you feel Chester should continue to enjoy local FM radio broadcasting.