The University’s relationship with radio began in 1922, when a shortwave receiver was installed in the old Science Building, with an antenna on the smokestack of the Physical Plant. Amplifiers and a loudspeaker were also purchased, but it was decided that broadcasting equipment was too expensive.  Two years later, additional receivers were installed in Thomas Hall and Millhiser Gymnasium.  Students would gather in these spaces to listen to nightly broadcast concerts.

The Spider Band, the Westhampton Glee Club, and a few student soloists all performed on radio station WRVA in the spring semester of 1926.  This began a long tradition of University ensembles appearing on local radio.

It took considerably longer for the University of Richmond to get its own broadcast radio station.  In the meantime, in 1937 a shortwave transmitter with the call letters W3BZE was installed in the Physics Building.  In its first months it contacted stations in 42 countries.