WLNX is owned and operated by Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. WLNX’s purpose is three-fold:

To provide a training ground for students interested in pursuing a career in radio broadcasting. WLNX does this by operating in the identical manner of most commercial radio stations, giving students a unique opportunity to learn the “real world” side of radio broadcasting.

To foster a connection between Lincoln College and the Lincoln community.

To serve the Lincoln and surrounding area with an “alternative rock” format targeted to the adult 18-34 demographic underserved by regional radio stations.

WLNX is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 88.9 MHz on the FM dial with an effective radiated power of 225 watts, reaching an approximate 10-mile radius area from the campus of Lincoln College.

WLNX also streams live on the Internet, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week from a state-of-the-art facility at 428 Keokuk Street in Lincoln that rivals most medium to large market Midwestern radio stations.

Students interested in learning more about WLNX-FM and the broadcasting program at Lincoln College are encouraged to contact the admissions office at Lincoln College at (800) 569-0556 or by clicking here.

WLNX History:

The founder of WLNX was Brayton Danner, a long-time science instructor at Lincoln College. Student interest caused Danner to found the “Lincoln College Broadcasting Club,” initially with the purpose of studying the world of amateur radio operation. As student interest in broadcasting grew, Danner sought support for a broadcast radio station. Because of Danner’s efforts, WLNX began broadcasting in January 1974 at 90.1 MHz on the FM dial with an effective radiated power of only 10 watts.

Throughout the 1970s, WLNX operated under a variety of slogans from its original studios in the basement of historic University Hall. In 1982, Lincoln College was granted an upgrade by the FCC to begin broadcasting at 88.9 MHz on the FM dial at its current ERP of 225 watts.
Danner served as the station’s General Manager until his retirement in 1987. Danner passed away in 1999 and will be remembered as the inspiration that brought broadcasting to Lincoln College.

WLNX transitioned through the 1990s and early 2000s under multiple General Managers. In August 2004, Lincoln College hired John Malone, a veteran broadcaster from the Peoria, Illinois, radio market. Preparations began immediately for a revamped and higher-profile operation of WLNX.

To facilitate the transition, WLNX aired a syndicated classical music format from October 2004 to September 2005, when WLNX returned to local programming with a student-operated and strictly formatted radio station. During the transition period, WLNX entered the digital era with state-of-the-art broadcast automation software and even began broadcasting in stereo for the first time.

On November 22, 2006, WLNX re-christened itself “89X – Lincoln’s New Rock Alternative” with a modern alternative rock format that continues to this day.

In August 2007, WLNX completed its move from the original University Hall basement studios to a custom designed and newly constructed facility at the former Central Illinois Bank branch at the intersection of Keokuk and Kankakee streets in Lincoln.