Behold WREK, Atlanta’s sonic playground. It broadcasts at 91.1 FM. This isn’t just any radio station. It’s a student-run powerhouse from Georgia Tech. WREK began its journey on March 25, 1968. It started small with only 10 watts of power. Back then, its reach was limited. The station only aired between noon and midnight.
WREK’s early goals were clear. Students would own and operate it. It would provide a non-commercial service to Georgia Tech. The station would also improve campus communication. In its early years, WREK played mainstream music. It became Atlanta’s only non-commercial station.
Barry James Folsom helped to start WREK. He was also one of the first DJs. Geoff Mendenhall designed a 425-watt power amplifier. In August 1968, the FCC certified it. This boosted WREK’s power to 3400 watts. It was enough to cover the Atlanta area.
In 1978, WREK’s tower and studios moved. The new tower stood 300 feet tall. It was built on the western edge of Georgia Tech. The studios moved to the old WGST studios. WGST had been a Tech-affiliated station. Ray Charles even recorded there.
Fast forward to today. WREK broadcasts with 100,000 watts. It is among the highest-powered college radio stations in the U.S. In 2008, WREK upgraded its transmitter. The new unit tripled the signal power. It added HD Radio capability. WREK was among the first student-run stations to add digital broadcasting.
WREK’s programming is diverse. Students run everything. You might hear heavy metal or world music. Hip-hop, blues, classical, and jazz also have a place. The station also features industrial and noise music. WREK’s slogans include “music you don’t hear on the radio”. They also say “quality diverse radio”.
Regular programming blocks fill most of the daytime. Mornings feature Just Jazz and Classics. Afternoons offer Rock, Rhythm and Roll. Nights bring Atmospherics and Overnight Alternatives. The WREK website archives two weeks of regular shows.
Specialty shows air for over 50 hours each week. The Ramblin’ Wreck Sports Show covers Georgia Tech sports. Destroy All Music offers clatter-improv. Electronic Sound System showcases experimental electronic music. Velvet plays classic and contemporary R&B. Live@WREK broadcasts live music. Girl Rock highlights female and non-binary artists. Slow Riot features math rock and post-rock.
WREK also broadcasts Georgia Tech sports. This includes baseball, women’s basketball, and volleyball.
WREK has a history of unique broadcasts. In 2002, it aired the entire 50-disc Merzbox. In 2006, WREKage played heavy metal for 24 hours. In 2007, Creative Loafing named WREK the Best Overall Radio Station in Atlanta. They called it “strange in a good way”. Few stations can match WREK’s eclectic playlist.
In 1994, WREK began streaming online. It was one of the first Internet radio stations. Today, it streams in MP3 format. The website has a two-week archive of broadcasts. As a student-run station, WREK offers challenging programming. WREK’s staff are dedicated to this goal.