NJ Public Radio Stations Get Federal Broadcasting Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– New Jersey’s U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez (both D) announced April 21 that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will award nine New Jersey public radio stations, more than $460,000 to help them convert from analog to digital broadcasting, including $50,114 for 90.3 WNJZ-FM in Court House.
“Public radio is an incredibly valuable resource for New Jerseyans,” said Menendez. “This investment will help usher the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, increase the sound quality for all listeners, and show our commitment to public radio’s future.”
According to a press release, digital technology will allow local public radio stations to significantly enhance the quality and scope of services they provide to their communities, as well as provide richer quality sound than is currently available to listeners. FM digital radio is capable of providing clear sound comparable in quality to compact discs; while AM digital radio is capable of providing sound quality equivalent to that of standard analog FM, and sounds dramatically better than analog AM, the release stated.
Digital radio reception is also more resistant to interference, and eliminates many imperfections of analog radio transmission and reception. In addition, radio stations broadcasting in digital can broadcast multiple channels using the same airwaves needed to broadcast just one analog station.
In total, the nine New Jersey radio stations will receive $463,316 in federal funding. These stations will receive the following grants:
• $50,114 to WNJB-FM in Bridgeton;
• $40,200 to WNJM-FM in Manahawkin;
• $66,500 to WNJN-FM in Atlantic City;
• $61,600 to WNJP-FM in Sussex;
• $37,281 to WNJS-FM in Berlin;
• $60,345 to WNJT-FM in Trenton;
• $50,114 to WNJZ-FM in Cape May Courthouse;
• $50,114 to a station whose letters are yet to be assigned in Toms River; and
• $47,048 to a station whose letters are yet to be assigned in Netcong.