HAM Radio 1/HamRadio.cdr/misc/origin5/origin5.txt

Text File | 1990-07-28 | 40.1 KB | 859 lines

                    ╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
                    ║                                       ║
                    ║   Radio Station Call Letter Origins   ║
                    ║     Fifth Release: 28 July 1990       ║
                    ║                                       ║
                    ╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝





                                  by Bob Nelson
                                  Dallas, Texas



                             CompuServe: 72647,3332
                                     BPFORUM

                           Voice KRSR: [phone]





  This release of Radio Call Letter Origins includes nearly 500 radio station
  call letters and the significance of these callsigns.  In most cases, the
  call letters are still currently being used on the AM band in the city of
  license shown in the list.  (Note: This does not preclude several of the
  call letters being used on FM as well, eg., WOW(AM) and WOW-FM in Omaha).


  Although we realize that many callsigns were simply assigned by the
  government, it is fascinating to trace the story of a radio station by its
  use of the callsign.  For example, the random WBBM call letters assigned to
  Ralph Atlass in Chicago presented an opportunity to promote his station as
  the W)orld's B)est B)roadcast M)edium!  Slogans were often "forced" upon
  these assigned call letters by contests involving listeners.  As a result,
  Pittsburgh listeners heard that WJAS was the W)orld's J)olliest A)erial
  S)tation! Across the state, there was Philly's WNAT: "W)e a)re N)ever
  T)ired in Philadelphia."


  Occasionally, radio stations were just plain confounded by their call
  letters---yet they still needed a slogan!  A few of the more humorous ones
  are included in Tom Kneitel's "Radio Station Treasury 1900-1946." San
  Diego's legendary KGB was touted in December 1931 as the station providing
  "Music for the Sick."  Then there's KGBZ (once in York, NE) known as "The
  Swine and Poultry Station."








  Much of what you see here is based upon the knowledge of associates
  currently in the broadcast industry (plus those who have moved on to the
  academic field) as well as special contributors from professional
  computer forums:



        A CompuServe Broadcast Professionals Forum Member who was kind
        enough to upload ORIGIN.TXT, highlighting especially Wisconsin Radio.
        Hoyt Carter, Operations Manager: WNAH, Nashville
        Gary Diamond, Chief Engineer: KKOB AM/FM, Albuquerque
        Randy Dietterich, Chief Engineer: WEZE(FM), Pittsburgh
        Rich Eagles, Broadcast Professionals Forum: CompuServe
        Fred Ennis, Broadcast Professionals Forum: CompuServe
        George Hart, Consultant: McVay Media, Cleveland
        Dr. Herbert Howard, Assistant Dean-Graduate Studies
                                           College of Communications
                                           University of Tennessee, Knoxville
        Roy Humpfrey, Chief Engineer: WLTJ(FM), Pittsburgh
        Alan Lane, Broadcast Professionals Forum: CompuServe
        Ron Lavallee, Broadcast Professionals Forum: CompuServe
        Stuart McRae, Vice President: Century 21 Programming, Dallas
        Harry Milkman, Amateur Radio Operator: N2KIH
        Sam Milkman, Promotion Director: WEGX(FM), Philadelphia
        Chuck Mohnkern, Co-Owner: Mohnkern Electronics, Terrell, Texas
        Dr. Robert M. Ogles, Assistant Professor
                             Department of Communication
                             Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
        Greg Perich, President: WJXR, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
        Jim Seaman, WFAN, New York


  Several publications have been valuable, including Tom Kneitel's
  "Radio Station Treasury 1900-1946" published in 1986 by CRB Research, Post
  Office Box 56, Commack, New York 11725. Likewise, a several periodicals
  from the National Radio Club have been most helpful. Another important
  primary source has been "Radio Broadcast Stations in the United States"
  published January 1, 1932 by the Federal Radio Commission, precursor to the
  FCC.


  I'm hoping that I can add your name to those acknowledged above. With
  your help, this list can grow. If you are aware of the meaning lurking
  behind call letters in your region (or perhaps other parts of the
  country), please contact me via CompuServe or call between 11 AM-2 PM,
  Central at KRSR Radio in Dallas. Since much of this data is based
  upon oral history (and in some cases, hearsay), don't hesitate to point
  out errors!





  Notes: The list is arranged alphabetically in order of call letters.

         Ownership information is not necessarily current, instead it
         is based upon ownership at the time of the grant of the call
         letters.


                              - ORIGINS5: Page 2 -





   ┌───────────────────────────────  K E Y  ────────────────────────────────┐
   │                                                                        │
   │  Calls: Call Letters (All are AM unless otherwise noted)               │
   │  City of License: Current City of License as of this document's date   │
   │                                                                        │
   │  *: Origin of Call Letters                                             │
   │                                                                        │
   │  E-Euphony (Sound of Call Letters, perhaps spelling a word)            │
   │  F-Frequency (Call Letters related in some way to dial position        │
   │  O-Ownership Related (Initials or Name of Original Licensee)           │
   │  L-Location Related (Pertaining to Geographic Feature, Region or City) │
   │  S-Slogan (Promotional Phrase, usually reflecting Licensee)            │
   │                                                                        │
   │  Explanation/Notes: Highlights Relationship to Call Letters            │
   │                     For instance, WCFL (once in Chicago) would be      │
   │                     highlighted as: C)hicago F)ederation of L)abor     │
   │                                     to clarify "CFL" in the callsign.  │
   │                                     [Brackets indicate additional      │
   │                                     historic facts dealing with the    │
   │                                     call letters].                     │
   │                                                                        │
   └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 CBM      Montreal, QE        O  C)anadian B)roadcasting M)ontreal
 CFRB     Toronto, ON         O  R)ogers B)atteryless [Radio Manufacturer]
 CFTR     Toronto, ON         O  T)ed R)ogers [see CFRB, Rogers Battery]
 CHAM     Hamilton, ON        L  H)a)m)ilton, ON
 CHAT     Medicine Hat, AB    L  Medicine H)a)t)
 CHEZ     Ottawa, ON          E  CHEZ=French, "Home Of"
 CHNS     Halifax, NS         L  H)alifax, N)ova S)cotia
 CHUM     Toronto, ON         E  C)h)u)m)="Friend"
 CHYR     Leamington, ON      E  CHYR="Cheer"
 CIOO(FM) Halifax, NS         F  IOO="100" [100.1 mHz]
 CITE     Montreal, QE        E  CITE=French, "City"
 KABC     Los Angeles, CA     O  A)merican B)roadcasting C)ompany
 KABL     Oakland, CA         E  KABL=Cable [Cars]
 KAPE     Cape Girardeau, MO  E  KAPE=Cape
 KARN     Little Rock, AR     O  A)rkansas R)adio N)etwork
 KBAY(FM) San Jose, CA        L  San Francisco B)A)Y)
 KBCO     Boulder, CO         L  B)oulder, C)O)
 KBLX     Berkeley, CA        E  BLX="Black's"
 KBMR     Bismark, ND         L  B)ismark-M)andan R)adio
 KBOB(FM) West Covina, CA     O  B)o)b) Burdette Investments
 KBOI     Boise, ID           L  Boi)se, Idaho
 KBPS     Portland, OR        O  B)enson P)olytechnic S)chool
 KBST     Big Spring, TX      L  B)ig S)pring, T)exas
 KBTM     Jonesboro, AR       O  B)eard's T)emple of M)usic
                                 [Originally licensed to Paragould]
 KCBS     San Francisco, CA   O  C)B)S), Inc.
 KCCV     Independence, MO    S  K)ansas C)ity's C)hristian V)oice
 KCOH     Houston, TX         O  C)all O)f H)ouston [Newspaper]
 KCRG     Cedar Rapids, IA    O  C)edar R)apids G)azette
 KCRO     Omaha, NE           S  C)hristian R)adio O)maha
 KDES     Palm Springs, CA    L  D)e)s)erts adjoining Palm Springs

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 3 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 KDLR     Devils Lake, ND     L  D)evils L)ake R)adio
 KDRO     Sedalia, MO         O  D)r)o)lich Brothers
 KDRY     Alamo Heights, TX   O  Dry [Owner promoted alcohol abstinence]
 KDTH     Dubuque, IA         O  D)ubuque T)elegraph-H)erald [Newspaper]
 KELD     El Dorado, AR       L  E)l) D)orado, AR
 KERN     Bakersfield, CA     L  K)e)r)n) County, CA
 KFAY     Fayetteville, AR    L  F)a)y)etteville, AR
 KFBC     Cheyenne, WY        O  F)rontier B)roadcasting C)ompany
 KFBI     Wichita, KS         O  F)armers and B)ankers I)nsurance
                                 [Now KFDI, originally licensed to Milford]
 KFGO     Fargo, ND           L  F)arg)o), ND
 KFH      Wichita, KS         S  K)ansas's F)inest H)hotel [Hotel Lassen]
 KFI      Los Angeles, CA     S  F)armer's I)nformation Station
 KFIA     Carmichael, CA      S  F)aith I)n A)merica
 KFKU     Lawrence, KS        O  K)ansas U)niversity
 KFLG     Flagstaff, AZ       L  F)l)ag)staff, AZ
 KFNF     Shenadoah, IA       S  K)nown F)or N)eighborly F)olks
                                 [Now KYFR]
 KFRC     San Francisco, CA   S  K)eep F)orver R)adiating C)heer
 KFRE     Fresno, CA          L  F)r)e)sno, CA
 KFRM     Salina, KS          S  F)ar)m) Radio
 KFSG     Los Angeles, CA     O  F)ours)quare G)ospel Church
                                 [Now KIIS]
 KFSG(FM) Los Angeles, CA     O  F)ours)quare G)ospel Church
 KFWB     Los Angeles, CA     O  W)arner B)rothers Broadcasting
 KGEM     Boise, ID           L  G)e)m) State  [Idaho's Slogan]
 KGFJ     Los Angeles, CA     S  K)eeping G)ood F)olks J)oyful
 KGLA     Gretna, LA          L  G)retna, LA)
 KGLO     Mason City, IA      O  G)l)o)be-Gazzette [Newspaper]
 KGMO(FM) Cape Girardeau, MO  L  Cape G)irardeau, M)O)
 KGO      San Francisco, CA   O  G)eneral Electric-San FranciscO)
 KGW      Portland, OR        S  K)eep G)rowing W)iser
 KHJ      Los Angeles, CA     S  K)indness H)appiness J)oy
                                 [Now KKHJ(AM)]
 KHLO     Hilo, HI            L  H)il)o), HI
 KHOG     Fayetteville, AR    L  H)o)g)s [Home of Arkansas Razorbacks]
 KIAK     Fairbanks, AL       E  KIAK=Kayak
 KICY     Nome, AL            E  ICY=Brrrrr!
 KID      Idaho Falls, ID     L  Id)aho Falls, Idaho
 KING     Seattle, WA         L  King) County, WA
 KIOA     Des Moines, IA      L  I)o)wa)
 KIOI(FM) San Francisco, CA   F  IOI=101 [101.3 mHz]
 KJAZ(FM) Alameda, CA         E  JAZ=Jazz [Station's format]
 KJIA     Sioux Falls, SD     S  K)ing J)esus I)s A)live
 KJIN     Houma, LA           E  KJIN=Cajun
 KKSU     Manhattan, KS       O  K)ansas S)tate U)niversity
 KLAC     Los Angeles, CA     L  L)os A)ngeles, C)alifornia
 KLBJ     Austin, TX          O  L)yndon B)aines J)ohnson [Former Owner]
 KLCL     Lake Charles, LA    L  L)ake C)harles, L)ouisiana
 KLOL(FM) Houston, TX         F  LOL=101 [101.1 mHz]
 KLRA     Little Rock, AR     L  L)ittle R)ock, A)rkansas
                                 [Now KBIS, calls used in England, AR]
 KLVI     Beaumont, TX        F  LVI=56 [560 kHz]
 KMA      Shenadoah, IA       O  Ma)y Seed and Nursery Company
 KMBC     Kansas City, MO     O  M)idland B)roadcating C)ompany
                                 [Now KMBZ]
 KMBI     Spokane, WA         O  M)oody B)ible I)nstitute  [See WMBI Chicago]
 KMGC     Dallas, TX          E  M)ag)ic)

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 4 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 KMLB     Monroe, LA          O  M)onroe L)iners B)roadcasting
 KMMJ     Grand Island,N      O  The M). M). J)ohnson Co.
 KNBR     San Francisco, CA   O  N)ational B)roadcasting R)adio
 KNGS     Hanford, CA         L  K)in)g)s) County, CA
 KNIX(FM) Phoenix, AZ         L  Phoen)i)x), AZ
 KNOE     Monroe, LA          O  James A. N)o)e)
 KOAC     Corvallis, OR       O  O)regon A)gricultural C)ollege
 KOCA     Kilgore, TX         O  O)il C)apital Broadcasting A)ssociation
 KOIL     Omaha, NE           O  Mona Motor O)i)l) Co.
 KOIT     San Francisco       E  KOIT=Coit [Tower, landmark of city]
 KOLM     Rochester, MN       L  O)l)m)stead County
 KOMA     Oklahoma City, Ok   L  O)klaho)m)a) City, OK
 KORG     Orange, CA          L  Or)ang)e County
 KORL     Honolulu, HI        E  KORL=Coral
 KORN     Mitchell, SD        E  Corn Palace in Mitchell
 KOTN     Pine Bluff, AR      E  KOTN=Cotton [Major crop in area]
 KOWH     Omaha, NE           O  O)maha W)orld-H)erald [Newspaper]
                                 [Now KCRO]
 KPBC     Garland, TX         O  P)ercy B). C)rawford
 KPMC     Bakersfield, CA     O  P)ioneer M)ercantile C)ompany
 KPOF     Denver, CO          O  P)illar O)f F)ire Ministries
 KPPC     Pasadena, CA        O  P)asadena P)resbyterian C)hurch
 KPRC     Houston, TX         O  P)ost R)adio C)ompany
 KQAK     Eugene, OR          E  QAK=Quack [Oregon Ducks]
 KQV      Pittsburgh, PA      S  K)ing of the Q)uaker V)alley
 KQW      San Jose, CA        S  K)ing's Q)uickening W)ord
                                 [Now KCBS-San Francisco, Charles Herrold's
                                 Pioneering Station]
 KRBC     Abilene, TX         O  R)eporter B)roadcasting C)ompany
                                 [Now KFQX, Newspaper Ownership]
 KRDU     Dinuba, CA          L  R)adio D)inu)ba
 KRFO     Owatonna, MN        L  R)adio F)rom O)watonna
 KRGI     Grand Island, NE    S  R)adio G)rand I)sland
 KRGV     Weslaco, TX         L  R)io G)rande V)alley
                                 [Now KRGE]
 KRLA     Pasadena, CA        L  R)adio L)os A)ngeles
 KRLD     Dallas, TX          O  R)adio L)abs of D)allas
 KRMD     Shreveport, LA      O  R)obert M). D)ean
 KRMG     Tulsa, OK           O  K)er)r-M)cG)ee Oil Company
 KRML     Carmel, CA          E  KRML=Carmel
 KROD     El Paso, TX         O  Dorrence D. R)o)d)erick
 KROQ(FM) Pasadena, CA        E  ROQ=Rock
 KROY     Sacramento, CA      O  R)o)y)al Miller
                                 [Now KSAC, FM sister maintains calls]
 KRRV     Sherman, TX         L  R)ed R)iver V)alley
                                 [Now KXEB]
 KRSC     Seattle, WA         O  R)adio S)ales C)orporation
                                 [Now KEZX(AM)]
 KRTR(FM) Kailua, HI          E  KRTR="Crater" [Volcano]
 KRVN     Lexington, NE       S  R)ural V)oice of N)ebraska
 KRZN     Englewood, CO       E  KRZN="Crusin'" [Oldies Format]
 KSAC     Manhattan, KS       O  K)ansas S)tate A)gricultural C)ollege
 KSAM     Huntsville, TX      S  S)a)m) Houston [Texas Historical
                                 Figure]
 KSD      St. Louis, MO       O  S)t. Louis Post-D)ispatch [Newspaper]
                                 [Now KUSA]
 KSDO     San Diego, CA       L  S)an D)iego), CA
 KSEO     Durant, OK          L  S)outhe)astern O)klahoma

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 5 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 KSFI(FM) Salt Lake City, UT  O  S)immons F)amily, I)nc.
 KSFO     San Francisco, CA   L  S)an F)rancisco), CA
 KSGB     University Park, TX O  S)tuart G)aines B)roadcasting
 KSIV     St. Louis, MO       S  S)t. Louis I)nspirational V)oice
 KSJO(FM) San Jose, CA        L  S)an J)o)se, CA
 KSL      Salt Lake City, UT  L  S)alt L)ake City, Utah
 KSNO     Aspen, CO           L  Sno)w [Ski Area]
 KSO      Des Moines, IA      S  K)eep S)erving O)thers
                                 [Now KGGO(AM)]
 KSOO     Souix Falls, SD     E  SOO=Souix
 KSSN(FM) Little Rock, AR     E  KSSN="Kissin'"
 KSTP     St. Paul, MN        L  St). P)aul, Minnesota
 KSTV     Stephenville, TX    L  St)ephenv)ille, TX
 KSUB     Cedar City, UT      O  S)outhern U)tah B)roadcasting Co.
 KSWO     Lawton, OK          L  S)outhw)estern O)klahoma
 KTAL(FM) Texarkana, TX       L  T)exas A)rkansas L)ouisiana
 KTAM     Bryan, TX           L  T)exas A) & M) [Located adjacent
                                 to University]
 KTCU(FM) Ft. Worth, TX       O  T)exas C)hristian U)niversity
 KTFI     Twin Falls, ID      L  T)win F)alls, I)daho
 KTHO     S. Lake Tahoe, CA   L  T)ah)o)e
 KTNN     Window Rock, AZ     O  T)he N)avajo N)ation [Owned by Indian Tribe]
 KTRH     Houston, TX         O  T)he R)ice H)otel
 KTWN(FM) Texarkana, TX       L  TWN="Twin" [Cities of Texarkana, Texas
                                 amd Arkansas]
 KUAT     Tucson, AZ          O  U)niversity of A)rizona, T)ucson
 KUNM(FM) Albuquerque, NM     O  U)university of N)ew M)exico
 KUOM     Minneapolis, MN     O  U)niversity O)f M)innesota
 KUSD     Vermillion, SD      O  U)niversity of S)outh D)akota
 KUT(FM)  Austin, TX          O  U)niversity of T)exas
                                 [Originally on AM in 1920's]
 KUUY     Cheyenne, WY        E  UUY="Double U Y" [WY]
 KVFD     Ft. Dodge, IA       L  V)oice of F)t. D)odge
 KVGB     Great Bend, KS      L  V)oice of G)reat B)end, NE
 KVLY(FM) Edinburg, TX        L  Rio Grande V)al)ley)
 KVOA     Tuscon, AZ          S  V)oice O)f A)rizona
                                 [Now KCUB]
 KVOD(FM) Denver, CO          S  V)oice O)f D)enver
                                 [Now KHOW, calls in use on FM]
 KVON     Napa, CA            S  V)oice O)f N)apa
 KVOO     Tulsa, OK           S  V)oice o)f O)klahoma
 KVOR     Colorado Spring, CO S  V)oice O)f the R)ockies
 KVSO     Ardmore, OK         S  V)oice of S)outhern O)klahoma
 KWAK     Stuttgart, AR       E  KWAK=Quack [Area noted for ducks]
 KWAV     Monterey, CA        E  WAV=Wave [Coastal Location]
 KWFT     Wichita Falls, TX   L  W)ichita F)alls, T)exas
 KWKH     Shreveport, LA      O  W). K). H)enderson
 KWLC     Decorah, IA         O  L)uther C)ollege
 KWLO     Waterloo, IA        L  W)aterl)o)o, IA
 KWNE(FM) Ukiah, CA           E  WNE=Wine {Country of California]
 KWSC     Pullman, WA         O  W)ashington S)tate C)ollege
 KWSU     Pullman, WA         O  W)ashington S)tate U)niversity
 VOCM     St. John's, NF      S  V)oice o)f the C)ommon M)an
 WABC     New York, NY        O  A)merican B)roadcasting C)ompany
 WABS     Arlington, VA       S  W)ashington A)rea B)ible S)tation
 WACO     Waco, TX            L  Waco), Texas
 WAEB     Allentown, PA       L  A)llentown E)aston B)ethelehem
 WAJR     Morgantown, WV      O  A)gnes J). R)eeves

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 6 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WAMO     Pittsburgh, PA      L  A)llegheny M)onogahela O)hio
                                 [Rivers converge in Pittsburgh]
 WAPI     Birmingham, AL      O  A)labama P)olytechnic I)nstitute [Auburn]
 WARA     Attleboro, MA       L  A)ttleboro R)adio A)ssociates
 WARE     Ware, MA            L  Ware), MA
 WATR     Waterbury, CT       L  W)a)t)er)bury, CT
 WAVA(FM) Arlington, VA       L  A)rlington, V)irginia)
 WBAL     Baltimore, MD       L  Bal)timore, Maryland
 WBAP     Ft. Worth, TX       S  W)e B)ring A) P)rogram
 WBBM     Chicago, IL         S  W)e B)roadcast B)etter M)usic
 WBCM     Bay City, MI        L  B)ay C)ity, M)ichigan
 WBCN     Boston, MA          O  B)oston C)oncert N)etwork
 WBEN     Buffalo, NY         O  B)uffalo E)vening N)ews[paper]
 WBGN     Bowling Green, KY   L  B)owling G)reen), KY
 WBHP     Huntsville, AL      O  B)ill H). P)ollard
 WBIR     Knoxville, TN       O  John B)i)r)dwell
                                 [Now WIMZ]
 WBKW     Beckley, WV         L  BKW=Airport Designation for City
 WBNS     Columbus, OH        O  W)olfe B)ank N)ewspaper and S)hoes
 WBOW     Terre Haute, IN     S  B)anks O)f W)abash River
 WBPV(FM) Charlton, MA        O  B)ay P)ath V)ocational High School
 WBRK     Pittsfield, MA      L  B)er)k)shire Mountains
 WBRU(FM) Providence, RI      O  B)r)own U)niversity
 WBT      Charlotte, NC       S  W)orld's B)est T)extiles
 WBUR(FM) Boston, MA          O  B)oston U)niversity R)adio
 WBUT     Butler, PA          L  B)u)t)ler, PA [see WLER]
 WCAE     Pittsburgh, PA      S  W)e C)an A)lways E)ntertain
                                 [Now WTAE]
 WCBI     Columbus, MS        O  C)olumbus-B)irney I)mes
 WCBS     New York, NY        O  C)olumbia B)roadcasting S)ystem
 WCCO     Minneapolis, MN     O  W)ashburn C)rosby Milling Co)mpany
 WCEV     Cicero, IL          S  C)hicagoland's E)thnic V)oice
 WCHV     Charlottesville, VA L  Ch)arlottesv)ille, VA
 WCIL     Carbondale, IL      L  C)arbondale, I)l)linois
 WCIR(FM) Beckley, WV         S  C)hrist I)n R)adio
 WCKY     Cincinnati, OH      L  C)ovington, K)entuckY) [Original City]
 WCLE     Clevland, TN        L  C)l)e)veland, TN
 WCMQ     Miami, FL           E  CMQ=Callsign of popular Havana station
 WCOA     Pensacola, FL       S  W)onderful C)ity O)f A)dvantages
 WCOD     Hyannis, MA         L  Cape C)o)d), MA
 WCRW     Chicago, IL         O  C)linton R). W)hite
 WCSC     Charleston, SC      L  C)harleston, S)outh C)arolina
 WCVU(FM) Naples, FL          E  CVU="Sea View"
 WCXI     Detriot, MI         S  C)ountry Eleven XI=11 [1130 kHz]
 WDAC(FM) Lancaster, PA       O  D)onald A). C)rawford
 WDAE     Tampa, FL           S  W)onderful D)ays a)nd E)venings
 WDBQ     Dubuque, IA         L  D)ub)uq)ue, IA
 WDEL     Wilmington, DE      L  Wilmington, Del)aware
 WDGY     Minneapolis, MN     O  D)octor G)eorge Y)oung
 WDIZ(FM) Orlando, FL         E  DIZ="Dis"ney World
 WDMJ     Marquette, MI       O  M)ining J)ournal
 WDMP     Dodgeville, WI      L  D)odgeville-M)ineral P)oint
 WDNC     Durham, NC          L  D)urham, N)orth C)arolina
 WDNT     Dayton, TN          L  D)ayton), T)ennessee
 WDOD     Chattanooga, TN     O  D)ynamo O)f D)ixie
 WDOR     Sturgeon Bay, WI    L  D)o)or) County
 WDOV     Dover, DE           L  D)o)v)er, DE
 WDRC     Hartford, CT        O  D)oolittle R)adio C)ompany

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 7 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WDSM     Superior, WI        L  D)uluth S)uperior M)innesota
 WDXE     Lawrenceburg, TN    O  D)ix)ie) Network [Former Owner]
 WDXI     Jackson, TN         O  D)ix)i)e Network [Former Owner]
 WDXN     Clarksville, TN     O  D)ix)ie N)etwork [Former Owner]
 WEDC     Chicago, IL         O  E)mil D)enemark C)ompany
 WEEI     Boston, MA          O  E)dison E)lectic I)lluminating Co.
 WEEX     Easton, PA          O  E)aston E)x)press [Newspaper]
 WEGX(FM) Philadelphia, PA    E  EGX="Eagle" [Philadelphia Eagles]
 WELI     New Haven, CT       S  Eli) Yale University
 WELO     Tupelo, MI          L  Tupe)l)o), MS
 WEMP     Milwaukee, WI       L  E)m)p)ire Hotel
 WERI     Westerly, RI        L  WE)sterly, R)hode I)sland
 WESO     Southbridge, MA     L  WE)bester-SO)outhbridge
 WEST     Easton, PA          L  E)as)t)on, PA
 WEUC     Ponce, PR           O  E)ducacion U)niversidad C)atolica
 WEVD     New York, NY        O  E)ugene V). D)ebs
 WEXL     Royal Oak, MI       S  W)e) Ex)cel)
 WEZK(FM) Knoxville, TN       S  EZ) Listening, K)noxville
 WFAA     Dallas, TX          S  W)orking F)or A)ll A)like
                                 [Now KKWM, calls in use by TV]
 WFAN     New York, NY        S  Sports F)a)n)
 WFBC     Greenville, SC      O  F)irst B)aptist C)hurch
                                 [First in Knoxville, moved to Greenville]
 WFBG     Altoona, PA         O  W)illiam F). G)able Co.
 WFCV     Ft. Wayne, IN       S  F)t. Wayne C)hristian V)oice
 WFDF     Flint, MI           O  F)rank D). F)allain
 WFFG     Marathon, FL        S  W)orld's F)inest F)ishing G)round
 WFIA     Louisville, KY      S  W)ith F)aith I)n A)merica
 WFLA     Tampa, FL           L  Tampa, Fl)oridA)
 WFLY(FM) Albany, NY          O  F)rank L)ord Y)ork
 WFMD     Frederick, MD       L  F)rederick, MD)
 WFMJ     Youngstown, OH      O  W)illiam F). M)aag, J)unior
 WFOR     Hattiesburg, MS     L  F)o)r)rest County, MS
 WFOY     St. Augustine, FL   S  F)ountain O)f Y)outh
 WFTQ     Worcester, MA       F  F)ourt)een Q) [Frequency of 1440 kHz]
 WFUR     Grand Rapids, MI    O  F)u)r)niture City Broadcasting
 WGAN     Portland, ME        O  Guy G)a)n)nett Broadcasting
 WGAR     Cleveland, OH       O  G). A). R)ichards
 WGAY(FM) Washington, DC      O  Connie B. G)a)y)
 WGBF     Evansville, IN      O  G). B). F)inke Furniture Co.
 WGCH     Greenwich, CT       L  G)reenwic)h), CT
 WGCI     Chicago, IL         O  G)lobetrotter C)ommunications I)nc.
 WGCM(FM) Gulfport, MS        L  G)ulf C)oast of M)ississippi
 WGGA     Gainesville, GA     L  G)ainesville, G)eorgia)
 WGGG     Gainesville, FL     S  W)atch G)reater G)ainesville G)row
 WGH      Newport News, VA    S  W)orld's G)reatest H)arbor
 WGKA     Atlanta, GA         O  G)lenk)a)ren Associates
 WGL      Ft. Wayne, IN       S  W)orld's G)reatest L)oudspeaker [Magnavox]
 WGLF(FM) Tallahassee, FL     L  G)ul)f) of Mexico
 WGMS     Bethesda, MD        S  W)ashington's G)ood M)usic S)tation
 WGN      Chicago, IL         S  W)orld's G)reatest N)ewspaper
 WGNS     Murfreesboro, TN    S  G)ood N)eighbor S)tation
 WGOV     Valdosta, GA        O  G)o)v)ernor E.D. Rivers
 WGST     Atlanta, GA         O  G)eorgia S)chool of T)echnology
 WGTO     Cypress Gardens, FL S  G)ulf T)o O)cean [50 kW at 540 kHz
                                 with huge coverage]
 WGY      Schenectady, NY     O  G)eneral Electric, SchenectadY), New York
 WHAI     Greenfield, MA      O  John H)a)i)gis

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 8 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WHAR     Clarksburg, WV      L  Har)rison County, WV
 WHB      Kansac City, MO     S  W)orld's H)appiest B)roadcaster
 WHBF     Rock Island, IL     S  W)here H)istoric B)lackhawk F)ought
 WHCN(FM) Hartford, CT        O  H)artford C)oncert N)etwork
 WHCU     Ithica, NY          O  C)ornell U)niversity
 WHIO     Dayton, OH          L  Oh)i)o)
 WHIS     Bluefiled, WV       O  H)ugh I). S)hott
 WHJB     Greensburg, PA      O  H). J). B)rennan [Former Owner]
 WHLB     Virginia, MN        O  H)ead of the L)akes B)roadcasting Co.
 WHLI     Hempstead, NY       L  H)empstead L)ong I)sland
 WHON     Centerville, IN     S  H)eart O)f N)ation [once US
                                 geographic center]
 WHOP     Hopkinsville, KY    L  H)o)p)kinsville, KY
 WHRB(FM) Cambridge, MA       O  H)arvard R)adio B)roadcasting
 WHRK(FM) Memphis, TN         O  H)arold R). K)relstein [Former
                                 Plough Broadcasting Executive]
 WIBC     Indianapolis, IN    O  I)ndiana B)roadcasting C)ompany
 WIBG     Philadelphia, PA    S  I) B)elieve in G)od [St. Paul's Church]
                                 [Now WZZD]
 WIBU     Poynette, WI        S  W)ind I)s B)eing U)sed  [Was Wind Powered]
 WIBW     Topeka, KS          S  W)here I)nvestments B)ring W)ealth
 WICC     Bridgeport, CT      S  I)ndustrial C)enter of C)onneticut
 WICO     Salisbury, MD       L  W)i)c)o)mico County, MD
 WILI     Willimantic, CT     L  W)i)l)li)mantic, CT
 WILL     Urbana, IL          L  University of Ill)inois
 WILM     Wilmington, DE      L  W)i)l)m)ington, DE
 WINS     New York, NY        O  I)nternational N)ews S)ervice
                                 [Hearst's Press Association]
 WIOD     Miami, FL           S  W)onderful I)sle of D)reams
 WIOI     Brunswick, GA       F  IOI=101 [100.7 mHz]
 WIOQ(FM) Philadelphia, PA    F  IOQ=102 [102.1 mHz]
 WIP      Philadelphia, PA    L  W)ireless i)n P)hiladelphia
 WJAC     Johnstown, PA       O  J)ohnstown A)utomotive C)ompany
 WJAS     Pittsburgh, PA      S  W)orld's J)olliest A)erial S)tation
 WJCL(FM) Savannah, GA        O  J). C). L)ewis
 WJIT     New York, NY        E  JIT=Spanish, "Hit"
 WJLB     Detroit, MI         O  J)ohn L). B)ooth Broadcasting Co.
                                 [Now WQBH]
 WJLS(FM) Beckley, WV         O  J)oe L). S)mith
 WJPC     Chicago, IL         O  J)ohnson P)ublications C)ompany
 WJR      Detriot, MI         O  J)ewett R)adio & Phonograph Co.
 WJRD     Tuscaloosa, AL      O  J)ames R). D)oss, Jr.
 WJW      Cleveland, OH       O  J)ohn W)eimer
                                 [Originally in Mansfield, then Akron, now used
                                 used on TV]
 WJXR(FM) Maclenny, FL        S  J)ax)onville R)adio
 WKAT     Miami Beach, FL     O  Frank L. Kat)zentine
 WKNY     Kingston, NY        L  K)ingston, N)ew Y)ork
 WKPT     Kingsport, TN       L  K)ingsp)ort), TN
 WKRC     Cincinnati, OH      O  K)odel R)adio C)ompany
 WKZO     Kalamazoo, MI       L  K)alamaz)o)o, Michigan
 WLAC     Nashville, TN       O  L)ife A)and C)asualty Insurance Co.
 WLAV     Grand Rapids, MI    O  L)eonard A). V)erslius
 WLBL     Auburndale, WI      S  W)isconsin, L)and of B)eautiful L)akes
 WLDS     Jacksonville, IL    S  L)incoln D)ouglas S)tation
 WLER(FM) Butler, PA          L  Butl)e)r). PA [FM sister of WBUT]
 WLIP     Kenosha, WI         O  W)illiam L)i)p)man  [Former Owner]
 WLIS     Old Saybrook, CT    L  L)ong I)sland S)ound

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 9 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WLOL     Minneapolis, MN     L  L)and O)f L)akes
                                 [Now KSJN, calls used on FM]
 WLOU     Louisville, KY      L  L)o)u)isville, KY
 WLS      Chicago, IL         S  W)orld's L)argest S)tore
 WLUM     West Allis, WI      S  W)e L)ove You) M)ilwaukee
 WLUP     Chicago, IL         E  The L)u)p) [Loop-Central Part of Chicago]
 WLYC     Williamsport, PA    L  L)y)c)oming County
 WMAD     Sun Prairie, WI     L  M)a)d)ison [Licensed to suburban Madison]
 WMAL     Washington, DC      O  M). A). L)eese Co.
 WMAZ     Macon, GA           S  W)atch M)ercer A)ttain Z)enith
                                 [Licensed to Mercer University]
 WMBD     Peoria, IL          S  W)orld's M)ost B)eautiful D)rive [Heights]
 WMBH     Joplin, MO          S  W)here M)emories B)ring H)appiness
 WMBI     Chicago, IL         O  M)oody B)ible I)nstitute
 WMC      Memphis, TN         O  M)emphis C)ommercial-Appeal [Newspaper]
 WMCA     New York, NY        O  Hotel McA)lpine
 WMCW     Harvard, IL         S  M)ilk C)enter
 WMDO     Wheaton, MD         E  M)und)o)=World [Spanish]
 WMGK     Philadelphia, PA    E  MGK="Magic"
 WMMR     Philadelphia, PA    O  M)etrom)edia R)adio
 WMMS     Cleveland, OH       O  M)etrom)edia S)tereo
 WMOR     Morehead, KY        L  Mor)ehead, KY
 WMPS     Memphis, TN         L  M)emphis P)ress-S)cimitar  [Newspaper]
                                 [Now WODZ]
 WMRO     Aurora, IL          O  M)artin R). O)'Brien
 WMSL     Decatur, AL         O  M)utual S)avings L)ife Insurance
                                 [Now WAVD]
 WMSR     Manchester, TN      L  M)anches)ter), TN
 WMUU     Greenville, SC      O  W)orld's M)ost U)nusual U)niversity
                                 [Bob Jones University]
 WNAH     Nashville, TN       L  Na)sh)ville, TN
 WNCN(FM) New York, NY        O  N)ew York C)oncert N)etwork
 WNDE     Indianapolis, IN    E  NDE=Indy
 WNDU     South Bend, IN      O  N)otre D)ame U)niversity
 WNEB     Worcester, MA       O  N)ew E)ngland B)roadcasting
 WNFL     Green Bay, WI       S  N)ational F)ootball L)eague
 WNLC     New London, CT      L  N)ew L)ondon C)onneticut
 WNLK     Norwalk, CT         L  N)orwal)k), CT
 WNNJ     Newton, NJ          L  N)ewton N)ew J)ersey
 WNNO     Wisconsin Dells, WI F  N)ine N)ine O)h [Former Frequency]
 WNOE     New Orleans, LA     O  James A. Noe)
 WNOR     Norfolk, VA         L  Nor)folk, VA
 WNOV     Milwaukee, WI       S  W)isconsin's N)egroes' O)wn V)oice
 WNOX     Knoxville, TN       L  Kn)o)x)ville, TN
                                 [Now WIVK(AM)]
 WNQM     Nashville, TN       S  N)ashville Q)uality M)inistries
 WNTR     Silver Spring, MD   S  N)ews-T)alk R)adio
 WNWS     Miami, FL           S  N)ew)s)-Talk
 WNYC     New York, NY        L  N)ew Y)ork C)ity
 WOC      Davenport, IA       S  W)orld O)of Chiropractic [Palmer School]
 WOCN     Miami, FL           E  OCN=Ocean
 WOLS     Florence, SC        O  O). L)ee S)tone
 WOMC(FM) Detriot, MI         L  W)ayne O)akland M)acomb C)ounties
 WONE     Dayton, OH          O  Group O)n)e) Broadcasting
 WOOD     Grand Rapids, MI    L  [Wood, primary material in furniture
                                 industry located in Grand Rapids]
 WORC     Worcester, MA       L  Worc)ester, MA
 WOSU     Columbus, OH        O  O)hio S)tate U)niversity

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 10 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WOW      Omaha, NE           O  W)oodmen O)f the W)orld Insurance Co.
 WOWO     Ft. Wayne, IN       S  Ft. W)ayne O)ffers W)onderful O)pportunities
 WPAD     Paducah, KY         L  Pad)ucah, Kentucky
 WPAT     Paterson, NJ        L  Pat)erson, NJ
 WPBC     Bangor, ME          O  P)enobscot B)roadcasting C)ompany
 WPBR     Palm Beach, FL      L  P)alm B)each R)adio
 WPCH(FM) Atalanta, GA        E  PCH=Peach
 WPDR     Portage, WI         O  P)ortage D)aily R)egister
 WPEN     Philadelphia, PA    O  William Pen)n Broadcasting
 WPEO     Peoria, IL          L  Peo)ria, IL
 WPFR(FM) Terre Haute, IN     O  P)aul F)ord R)adio
 WPGC(FM) Morningside, MD     L  P)rince G)eorges C)ounty, MD
 WPLM     Plymouth, MA        L  Pl)ym)outh, MA
 WPNA     Oak Park, IL        O  P)olish N)ational A)lliance
 WPOM     Riveria Beach, FL   E  POM=Palm [suburb of W. Palm Beach]
 WPON     Pontiac, MI         L  P)o)n)tiac
 WPRB(FM) Princeton, NJ       O  P)rinceton R)adio B)roadcasting
 WPRO     Providence, RI      L  Pro)vidence, Rhode Island
 WPSE     Erie, PA            O  P)enn S)tate, E)rie
 WPTF     Raleigh, NC         S  W)e P)rotect T)he F)amily
 WPTR     Albany, NY          O  P)at)r)oon Broadcasting Co.
 WPZA     Ann Arbor, MI       O  P)iz)za) [Owned by Domino's Pizza]
 WQBA     Miami, FL           E  QBA=Cuba [Spanish format]
 WQQQ     Easton, PA          CF QQQ=99.9 mHz
 WQXR     New York, NY        E  W2XR [Derived from Experimental Call]
 WRBQ     Tampa, FL           O  R)alph B)eavers (Chief Engineer)
 WRC      Washington, DC      O  R)adio C)orporation of America [RCA]
                                 [Now WWRC, calls used by TV]
 WRCN(FM) Riverhead, NY       O  R)iverhead C)oncert N)etwork
 WRDU(FM) Wilson, NC          L  R)aleigh-D)u)rham, NC
 WREC     Memphis, TN         O  W)ooten R)adio and E)lectric C)ompany
 WREO     Ashtabula, OH       O  R)adio E)nterprises of O)hio
                                 [Now WFUN, calls used by FM]
 WRJC     Mauston, WI         L  R)adio J)uneau C)ounty
 WRKO     Boston, MA          O  RKO)-General Broadcasting
 WRKT     Cocoa Beach, FL     L  R)ock)et) [Cape Canaveral is nearby]
 WRKY(FM) Steubenville, OH    E  RKY=Rocky [CHR format]
 WRNL     Richmond, VA        O  R)ichmond N)ews-L)eader [Newspaper]
 WROK     Rockford, IL        L  R)o)ck)ford, IL
 WRTP     Chapel Hill, NC     L  R)esearch T)riangle P)ark
 WRUF     Gainesville, FL     O  R)adio: U)niversity of F)lorida
 WRVA     Richmond, VA        L  R)ichmond V)irginiA)
 WRVR(FM) Memphis, TN         L  R)iv)er) City
 WSAU     Wausau, WI          L  Waus)a)u), WI
 WSB      Atlanta, GA         S  W)elcome S)outh, B)rother
 WSBC     Chicago, IL         O  W)orld S)torage B)attery C)ompany
 WSBT     South Bend, IN      O  S)outh B)end T)ribune
 WSIX     Nashville, TN       O  Six) Thirty-Eight Tire Co.
 WSJM     St. Joseph, MI      L  S)t. J)oseph, M)ichigan
 WSJS     Winston-Salem, NC   O  W)inston-S)alem J)ournal S)tation [Paper]
 WSLB     Ogdensburg, NY      O  S)t. L)awrence B)roadcasting Co.
 WSLI     Jackson, MS         O  S)tandard L)ife I)nsurance Co.
 WSLS     Roanoke, VA         O  S)henadoah L)ife S)tation
                                 [Now WSLC, calls used by TV]
 WSLV     Ardmore, TN         L  S)tate L)ine V)oice [Borders Alabama]
 WSM      Nashville, TN       S  W)e S)hield M)illions
 WSMB     New Orleans, LA     O  S)aenger Amusement-M)aison B)lanche
 WSOC     Charlotte, NC       S  S)ounds O)f C)harlotte

                              - ORIGINS5: Page 11 -




 Calls    City of License     * Explantation/Notes
 ─────    ───────────────     ─ ──────────────────
 WSPA     Spartanburg, SC     L  Spa)rtanburg, South Carolina
 WSPD     Toledo, OH          E  SPD="Speedy" [Speedee Oil Co.]
 WSPR     Springfield, MA     L  Spr)ingfield, MA
 WSTV     Steubenville, OH    L  St)eubenv)ille, OH
 WSUB     Groton, CT          L  S)u)b)marines based in Groton-New London
 WSUI     Iowa City, IA       O  S)tate U)niversity of I)owa
 WSVA     Harrisonburg, VA    L  S)henandoah Valley of V)irginiA)
 WSWT(FM) Peoria, IL          E  SWT="Sweet" [BM/EZ Format}
 WTAG     Worcester, MA       O  W)orcester T)elegram A)nd G)azette
 WTAW     College Station, TX S  W)atch T)exas A)ggies W)in  [Texas A&M]
 WTIC     Hartford, CT        O  T)raveler's I)nsurance C)ompany
 WTJS     Jackson, TN         O  T)he J)ackson S)un [Newspaper]
 WTLC(FM) Indianapolis, IN    S  W)ith T)ender L)oving C)are
 WTMJ     Milwaukee, WI       O  T)he M)ilwaukee J)ournal [Newspaper]
 WTMP     Tampa, FL           L  T)am)p)a, FL
 WTNJ(FM) Mt. Hope, WV        O  T)ony Gonzales & N)ick J)oe Rahall
 WTOP     Washington, DC      F  "Top" of the Dial [Old frequency
                                 of 1460 kHz placed it near top of band]
 WTRC     Elkhart, IN         O  T)ruth R)adio C)ompany [Newspaper]
 WTSB     Lumberton, NC       S  W)here T)obacco S)ells B)est
 WTSO     Madison, WI         F  T)en S)even O)h  [Frequency of 1070 kHz]
 WTUP     Tupelo, MS          L  T)u)p)elo, MS
 WVCG     Coral Gables, FL    L  V)oice of C)oral G)ables
 WVLK     Lexington, KY       S  V)oice of L)exington K)entucky
 WVOL     Berry Hill, TN      S  V)o)l)unteer [State Slogan]
 WVUD(FM) Kettering, OH       O  V)oice of the U)niversity of D)ayton
 WWNC     Asheville, NC       L  W)estern N)orth C)arolina
 WWNR     Beckley, WV         S  W)in W)ith N)ick R)ahall
                                 [Congressman owned station]
 WWRL     New York, NY        O  W)oodside R)adio L)abs [Woodside, LI]
 WWSW     Pittsburgh, PA      O  W)illiam S). W)alker
 WWTC     Minneapolis, MN     L  T)win C)ities
 WWVA     Wheeling, WV        L  W)heeling W)est V)irginiA)
 WXVI     Montgomery, AL      F  XVI=16 [1600 kHz]
 WYBC(FM) New Haven, CT       O  Y)ale B)roadcasting C)ompany
 WYLO     Jackson, WI         F  W)ay) L)o)w  [Frequency of 540 kHz]
 WZGC(FM) Atlanta, GA         O  G)eneral C)inema
 XERB     Tijuana, BC         L  R)osarito B)each, BC [Original
                                 City of License, now XEPRS]

                    ╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
                    ║                                       ║
                    ║   Radio Station Call Letter Origins   ║
                    ║                                       ║
                    ╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝


   I hope you found this document to be of interest and that you'll
   take some time to provide input---suggestions, additions, corrections.

   I'm especially curious to determine if there were any slogans or
   historical background associated with several of the remaining I-A Clear
   Channel Stations, notably WOAI, KMOX and WLW (beside the well-known
   W)orld's L)owest W)ages).


   Bob Nelson
   28 July 1990

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