The campus airwaves have been silent lately because of an equipment failure at WIDB, the University programming coordinator says.

WIDB, which has broadcast at SIUC for nearly 25 years, closed last Thursday because of problems with the distribution amplifier and other equipment.

During any given radio program, a signal from WIDB’s broadcasting equipment is channeled into the distribution amplifier, Joanne Yantis, University programming coordinator, said. The amplifier then releases the signal to all parts of the campus, making it a pivotal part of the broadcasting process, she said.

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The amp itself was bought in 1977, Yantis said. The everyday wear and tear on it for almost 20 years caused it to finally break down.

Jemal Powell, a senior in radio-television from University Park, said the master control board and the equipment in the main engineering room are outdated.

Almost 75 percent of the equipment in the main engineering room is fried, and the master control board is too old, Powell said. The station is doing the right thing and trying to fix the equipment the right way instead of nickel-and-diming it.

Yantis said the production board, where all commercials and public service announcements are recorded, also needs to be fixed.

The equipment at the station is like an old car, Yantis said. Over time, it needs repairs until eventually it breaks down and you need to buy something else.

Yantis said the old equipment was not replaced because of a lack of funds.

To get the station running at a top-notch level, we need about $30,000, which we don’t have right now, she said. Until then we need to make due with what we have. The only new piece of equipment at the station will be a new distribution amplifier; everything else will be fixed.

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Yantis said the station probably will be running again sometime next week. She said she did not want anyone to be alarmed by the shutdown.

Everything will be fine in a few days, and there is nothing that our listeners should be worried about, she said.