View source for WCAL

{{Short description | Student-run college radio station serving PennWest California}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2015}}

{{Infobox radio station
| logo = WCAL-FM (logo).png
| name = WCAL
| frequency = 91.9 [[megahertz|MHz]]
| city = [[California, Pennsylvania]] | country = US
| area = 
| format = [[Freeform (radio format)|Freeform]]
| owner = [[Student Association, Inc.]]
| facility_id = 63559
| erp = 3.3 [[kilowatt]]s
| haat = 49 meters
| coordinates = {{coord|40|2|58|N|79|54|11.7|W}}
| former_callsigns = WVCS
| callsign_meaning = For California University of Pennsylvania, former name of PennWest California
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| class = A
| webcast = [https://cp2.shoutcheap.com:18014/stream Listen Live]
| website = {{URL|wcal.calu.edu}}
}}

'''WCAL''' (91.9 FM) is a student-run college radio station serving PennWest California (formerly known as [[California University of Pennsylvania]]) and the surrounding area, including Washington, Fayette, Westmoreland, Greene, and Allegheny counties.It also streams online.

Broadcasting at 3.3 kilowatts, the station can be heard in a 30-40 mile radius of California, Pennsylvania.

WCAL is FCC licensed to, and owned by, The Student Association, Inc., and broadcasts 24 hours per day from the 1st floor Media Suite in the [[Natali Student Center]] on the PennWest California campus.

The station operates a freeform format, and airs a variety of student and staff programming each week. The station also broadcasts Vulcans football and men's and women's basketball games.

WCAL is open to all students, regardless of major. PennWest California faculty and staff are also offered opportunities to air original programming.

== History ==
The Vulcan Radio Club was formed in the mid-1960s, but it split within a couple of years between those interested in AM/FM broadcasting and amateur, or “ham,” radio operators.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Cal U Review - Spring 2019 by California University of Pennsylvania - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/caluofpa/docs/calu-review-spring2019 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}</ref>

In spring 1969, students attempted to set up an unlicensed station in Vulcan Lounge, according to the ''Cal Times.''<ref name=":0" />

The station – now called WMCL – moved first to McCloskey Hall, then to a student's basement, then to a house on Beazel Street where train whistles interrupted the programs.<ref name=":0" />

Finally, in fall 1971, the radio station moved to the basement of the student center, and the Student Activities Association requested a 10-watt FM license from the Federal Communications Commission.<ref name=":0" />

Permission was granted in 1972. An official station – the 10-watt WVCS (Voice of Cal State) – was finally on the air, operated by the Student Broadcast Club.<ref name=":0" />

In 1992, the student center was expanded to twice its size and named for respected administrator Elmo Natali. The campus radio station, TV station and student newspaper moved to a new media center there.<ref name=":0" />

In March 2005, WCAL management negotiated a deal with [[Minnesota Public Radio]] to acquire the WCAL call letters.<ref name=":0" />

{{Portal|Radio}}

==See also==
*[[List of college radio stations in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{FM station data|63559|WCAL}}

{{California University of Pennsylvania}}
{{Pennsylvania Western University}}
{{Active Rock Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
{{coord|40.049|N|79.900|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Pennsylvania|CAL]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania Western University, California]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Pennsylvania]]