WMNR (88.1FM, "Fine Arts Radio") is a radio station licensed toMonroe, Connecticut. The station is municipally owned by the Town of Monroe and broadcasts mainly classical music.

The station was founded in 1971 by John and Carol Babina. The Monroe Board of Education agreed to hold the FCC license for WMNR and provided facilities for the station at Masuk High School.^[1] The equipment was paid for with donations from individual and businesses, and the station turned into a community project. The station began broadcasting regularly in 1974 with a variety of programming, including rock, big band, and classical.^[3]

In 1980, it was thought that WMNR could fulfill a need forpublic radio in Fairfield county. A non-profit organization, Monroe Public Radio, Inc., began operating the station at this time. In early 1982, it became anNPR affiliate, and was able to secure a one-time federal grant for new equipment to increase power. However, before any of this could be done, Monroe Public Radio, Inc. ran out of funds and the station's operation returned to the founders, John and Carol Babina. In mid-1982, WMNR began broadcasting classical music and was run by a staff of volunteers.^[3]

As the years progressed, three other stations in Connecticut were added to simulcast WMNR.WRXC (90.1 FM) inShelton was assigned its call letters on March 20, 1986^[4] and began broadcasting in1988. The following year,WGSK (90.1 FM) inSouth Kent received its call sign on December 14, 1987,^[5] licensed to South Kent School and was transferred to Monroe on November 13, 1990.WGRS (91.5 FM) inGuilford was assigned its call sign on May 31, 1993^[6] and began broadcastingthat same year.

By 2003, they had outgrown their allotted space at the high school and moved into rented office space. In 2009, the licenses for WMNR were transferred from the Monroe Board of Education to the Town of Monroe.^[3][7]

Several translators are authorized to rebroadcast these stations, including three in the state of New York.

Notes:

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 43531 (WMNR) in theFCC Licensing and Management System
• WMNR inNielsen Audio's FM station database

• 1973 establishments in Connecticut
• Classical music radio stations in the United States
• Guilford, Connecticut
• Monroe, Connecticut
• Radio stations established in 1973
• Radio stations in Connecticut

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