Original allocation: August 16, 1991.
The WNJM call letters were assigned on February 9, 1996.
They went on the air August 20, 1999 simulcasting WNJT (88.1, Trenton) as part of the NJN Radio Network.
89.9 actually started programming on June 24, 1999 playing various classical and swing music as a test, with Bob Wick, GM of WYRS 90.7 in Manahawkin (see below) doing ID's.
On July 1, 2011, WNJM began simulcasting the programming from WHYY in Philadelphia.
** WNJO - 90.3 FM, Toms River **
Original allocation: March 3, 2000.
90.3 was granted the WNJO calls on August 11, 2008.
This station originally simulcasted WNJT (88.1, Trenton,) as part of the NJN Radio Network.
WNJO's transmitter is located in South Seaside Park NJ.
WNJO was on the air between September 3 and September 6, 2008, presumedly as a test.
WNJO resumed broadcasting in early October 2008.
On July 1, 2011, WNJO, along with WNJY (89.3, Netcong), WNJT (88.1, Trenton) and WNJP (88.5, Sussex) were transferred to a new entity known as New Jersey Public Radio, run by New York station, WNYC (93.9, New York).
On October 29, 2012, WNJO was essentially destroyed when Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore.
WNJO resumed broadcasting on December 7, 2012.
** WBJB - 90.5 FM, Lincroft **
Original allocation: February 14, 1972.
Original construction permit granted: April 20, 1972.
The WBJB call letters were assigned on July 3, 1972.
WBJB, broadcasting from Brookdale Community College, went on the air January 13, 1975.
The station featured an AOR format, which ultimately lasted until 1980.
In the early days of WBJB, Pete Fornatale (of WNEW-FM fame) was involved with the station as a guest lecturer and guidance counselor.
The station then switched to a jazz format, using the slogan "Jazz And More For The Jersey Shore."
Ken Pauli became the stations first paid Program Director in the 1980's.
From 1986 to 1989, Kevin Dunn was WBJB's PD.
In 1999, Lucent Technologies chose WBJB as a testing site for their new HD Radio service.
In January 2000, they switched to an "AAA" (Adult Album Alternative) format and was renamed "90.5 The Night."
Actually, "The Night" was originally one of the specialty programs that 90.5 aired on weekends during their jazz format days.
The WBJB calls stand for "Brookdale Jersey Blues." (school mascot)
Newspaper articles on WBJB can be seen (here).
(Thanks to Kevin Dunn, Ken Pauli & Rich Robinson for some of this information)
WOCC, the radio station of Ocean County College, broadcasted over then-Adelphia Cable's "Cable FM" service, from approximately the mid to late 1980's to the late 1990's.
"Cable FM" was a service that provided clear reception of local & distant radio stations, usually at different locations on the dial than the stations normally broadcast on.
The service also provided stereo signals of some cable channels, such as MTV.
WOCC usually broadcasted during the day while school was in session, running until about 10pm.
The station's format varied over the years, ranging from alternative rock to classic rock, with lots of specialty shows mixed in.
One of the DJ's on the station in the early 1990's, Richard J. Dalton, is now a renowned electronic music DJ based out of Seattle WA.
When Comcast took over Adelphia Cable's operations in the late 1990's, they pulled the plug on the "Cable FM" service.
WOCC, however, still exists as an online-only stream available on Ocean County College's website.
Original allocation: July 15, 1991.
Original call letters WAGB were assigned on December 17, 1993, then changed to WYRS on January 31, 1994.
WYRS first went on the air on March 27, 1995 with their mix of Christian and community programming.
When they first started out, they broadcasted in mono and were only on the air on a part-time schedule.
The original schedule was: 4:30p-11p (Mon-Fri)/12:30p-10:30p (Sat)/3p-11p (Sun)
During the summer of 1996, they expanded their broadcast hours to 7a-12mid daily.
And, by the summer of 1997, they were broadcasting 24 hours a day - in stereo.
Some slogans that WYRS uses are "Community Radio With A Christian Perspective" and "We're Your Radio Station."
Programming is mostly satellite, but there are some locally produced programs mixed in, such as "Reflections", a show hosted by Bob Wick, the GM of WYRS, on Saturday evenings.
WYRS also hosts live remote broadcasts each year from Manahawkin Founder's Day.
Newspaper articles on WYRS can be seen (here).
(The WYRS "yellow" logo - from my own personal collection)
** WWNJ - 91.1 FM, Toms River Twsp. **
Original allocation: December 21, 1982.
Original call letters WKTW were assigned on March 13, 1987.
WKTW signed on in January 1989 with an "overnight" classical format.
(Overnight because the station was only on from 10pm to 10am - it wasn't on during the rest of the day.)
On November 12, 1991, calls were changed to WWNJ and on December 24, 1991 became part of "The Classical Network", simulcasting WWFM (89.1, Trenton).
WWNJ's transmitter was originally located on a water tower in Lavellette, but about a month before Hurricane Sandy hit in October 2012, the transmitter was moved to a tower farther inland on Hooper Ave.
Another interesting bit of trivia about this station is that it was originally supposed to be owned by Ocean County College, but they backed out at the last minute.
Because of WWNJ's close proximity to WFMU (91.1, East Orange,) both stations have had to adjust their power accordingly.
Interesting to note is that when WWNJ (and WWFM) used to sign off at midnight each night, WFMU boomed in loud and clear here in Toms River.
Newspaper articles on WWNJ can be seen (here).
** 91.3 FM, Shark River Hills **
The World Federation Of Pastors And Ministers Of The Full Gospel Inc. submitted an application in the FCC's filing window for a non-commercial station on November 9, 2021.
The FCC granted the CP (construction permit) on January 7, 2022.
The station is proposed to have 6000 watts, vertical only, and will cover central and southern Monmouth County.
** WLNJ - 91.7 FM, Lakehurst **
Original allocation: October 18, 2007.
The WLNJ call letters were assigned on February 6, 2009.
WLNJ is owned by WYRS Broadcasting, owners of 90.7 in Manahawkin (see above).
On-air testing was conducted on January 5 and January 18, 2012 with the station going full-time soon thereafter.
WLNJ simulcasts WYRS' religious programming.
