The Monroe Board of Education agreed to hold the FCC license for WMNR and provided facilities for the station at Masuk High School.
The station began broadcasting regularly in 1974 with a variety of programming, including rock, big band, and classical.
A non-profit organization, Monroe Public Radio, Inc., began operating the station at this time.
In early 1982, it became an NPR 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.