WJFF

WJFF (90.5 WJFF) is a public radio station broadcasting at 90.5 MHz, licensed to Jeffersonville, New York and transmits from a tower approximately two miles west of Liberty, New York It is perhaps the nation's only hydropowered radio station. The power for the station's studios and offices are drawn from a dam 50 feet away adjacent to Lake Jefferson.

History

In 1984, Malcolm Brown purchased the Lake Jefferson dam (41°46′40.19″N 74°55′30.6294″W / 41.7778306°N 74.925174833°W / 41.7778306; -74.925174833) and power house and began to repair the hydro plant which was originally constructed in 1927. In 1986, the hydro plant was placed in service, generating enough power to supply 20-25 area homes.

In January 1988, Catskill Radio, Inc., also owned by Malcolm Brown, received a Construction Permit for WJFF. The radio station's studio building was built on the north side of the Jefferson Lake dam, about 50 feet away from the generator house. The station was completed by mostly volunteer labor, signing on for the first time on January 20, 1990. Initially the station transmitted with a power of 830 watts, this was increased to 3,700 watts in early 1996.