Prairie Air and WEFT - A Brief History

WEFT began broadcasting first as a cable FM station. After six years of fund raising, organizing and paper chasing WEFT transmitted its first official broadcast signal at 90.1FM on September 26, 1981. That first signal had a power of just fewer than 1,000 watts. In 1988 a jump from 1,000 to 10,000 watts enlarged the coverage area and allowed stereo reception.

During the 1990s WEFT built its volunteer staff and enhanced its programming capabilities. In 1992, Prairie Air purchased the building that is the current WEFT studios at 113 North Market Street in Champaign, Illinois. In 1993, WEFT went to a 24-hour format, increasing the need for volunteers but also allowing more community members to have a voice on the airwaves.

The year 2001 marked both paying off the building mortgage and 20 years of successful broadcasting. In 2003 major changes were made to the front quarter of the building. Those changes not only improved the appearance and code standards of the building but provided access to those people with mobility limitations.

WEFT is constantly working on improving technology and programming and offering more opportunities at the station for the benefit of listeners and those wishing to have a community voice.