3 Foundations Support Project To Improve, Expand Signal Of WUBJ, WBFO’s Repeater Station In Jamestown

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- WBFO 88.7 FM, a National Public Radio affiliate and a major public service of UB, has received grants totaling $55,000 from three foundations to support the expansion and improvement of the signal of WUBJ 88.1 FM, its repeater station serving the people of Jamestown and Chautauqua County.

The station has received a $25,000 grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, a $20,000 grant from the Hultquist Foundation and a $10,000 grant from the Johnson Foundation.

WUBJ signed on the air in 1994 with the assistance of several Jamestown-area foundations, bringing National Public Radio into the region for the first time.

"These generous grants will help us bring quality radio to a much larger segment of the people of Jamestown and Chautauqua County, and will further enhance the cultural vitality of this great region of the state," said Carole Smith Petro, associate vice president for university services and WBFO's acting general manager. "We are especially pleased to be supported in our efforts by several foundation that have long been committed to improving the quality of life in the region."

The station is in the process of seeking additional community and foundation support to finance the $133,000 project, which could be completed by late fall if sufficient funds are raised.

The project to expand its signal will involve moving the WUBJ transmitter to a more central location and increasing its power approximately seven-fold. WBFO has been working with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office to identify suitable tower space for the transmitter.

The signal will be extended to reach a potential audience of 90,000 in Mayville, Chautauqua, Cassadaga, Sinclairville, Brocton and Panama in New York and Sugar Grove and other areas in northwestern Pennsylvania.

The signal strength will improve throughout the present service area in and around Jamestown, with improvements particularly noticeable around Chautauqua Lake. There will be a greatly improved signal in the area along Lake Erie from Westfield to Fredonia, which will receive a secondary area signal for the first time.

WBFO 88.7 FM reaches nearly 100,000 listeners weekly in Western New York and southern Ontario with its 50,000-watt signal. It has a second repeater station, WOLN 91.3 FM, in Olean.