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╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ Radio Station Call Letter Origins ║
║ Sixth Release: 12 April 1991 ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
by Bob Nelson
Dallas, Texas
CompuServe: 72647,3332
BPFORUM
Voice Mail TM/Century Programming
(214) 448-0043
It's been almost two years, so I had better update this listing! I believe
this file -- or one like it -- was mentioned in a recent issue of
Compuserve Magazine. One way or the other, I did receive a load of e-mail
on CIS requesting a new edition.
This release of Radio Call Letter Origins includes nearly 600 radio station
call letters and the significance of these call letters. 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 I realize that many call letters were simply assigned by the
government, it is fascinating to trace the story of a radio station by its
use of the call letters. 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." (I'm sure this slogan predated
W.C. Fields).
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.
These CompuServe Broadcast Professionals Forum Members,
RIME Broadcast Conference Participants and others:
Dan Beach Leslie Pearson
Mark Bending Robert Schaffrath
Julian Breen Jacob Schanker
Rich Eagles Pat Shirley
Fred Ennis Joshua Trupin
John Hora Fred Vobbe
Alan Lane Ray Zoller
Ron Lavallee
Hoyt Carter, Operations Manager: WNAH, Nashville
Gary Diamond, Chief Engineer: KKOB AM/FM, Albuquerque
Randy Dietterich, Chief Engineer: WAMO, Pittsburgh
George Hart, Operations Manager, KONO/KSRR, San Antonio
Dr. Herbert Howard, Assistant Dean-Graduate Studies
College of Communications
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Roy Humpfrey, Chief Engineer: WLTJ(FM), Pittsburgh
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 1 PM-6 PM,
Central at TM/Century in Dallas. Since much of this data is based
upon oral history (and in some cases, hearsay), don't hesitate to point
out errors!
Origins Release 6: Page 2
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.
┌─────────────────────────────── 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 or station]. │
│ │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Calls City of License * Explanation/Notes
───── ─────────────── ─ ──────────────────
CBM Montreal, QE O C)anadian B)roadcasting M)ontreal
CFRB Toronto, ON O R)ogers B)atteryless
[Radio Receiver Manufacturer]
CFTR Toronto, ON O T)ed R)ogers
[see CFRB-Roger's Batteryless]
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 CHUM=chum [friend]
CHYR Leamington, ON E CHYR="Cheer"
CIOO(FM) Halifax, NS E C=SEA IOO=100.1 mHz
CITE Montreal, QE E CITE=French, "City"
HCJB(SW) Quito, Ecuador S H)eralding C)hrist J)esus' B)lessings
[Spanish] H)oy C)hristo J)esus B)endice
KABC Los Angeles, CA O A)merican B)roadcasting C)ompany
Origins Release 6: Page 3
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
KASU(FM) Jonesboro, AR O A)rkansas S)tate U)niversity
KBAY(FM) San Jose, CA L San Francisco B)a)y) Area
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
[Once 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
KDLR Devils Lake, ND L D)evils L)ake R)adio
KDRO Sedalia, MO O D)r)o)lich Brothers
KDRY Alamo Heights, TX S Dry
[Owner promoted abstinence from alcohol]
KDTH Dubuque, IA O D)ubuque T)elegraph-H)erald [Newspaper]
KECA Los Angeles, CA O E)arl C) A)nthony [auto dealer who
had both KECA and KFI-now KABC]
KELD El Dorado, AR L E)l) D)orado, AR
KERN Bakersfield, CA L K)e)r)n) County, CA
KFAC Los Angeles, CA O F)uller A)uburn C)ord [30's car dealer]
[calls now used in Santa Barbara]
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
[KFDI, originally licensed to Milford
and once owned by Doc Brinkley]
KFGO Fargo, ND L F)arg)o), ND
KFH Wichita, KS S K)ansas's F)inest H)otel
[The 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]
KFOG San Francisco, CA L San Francisco: F)o)g) City
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(AM) Los Angeles, CA O F)ours)quare G)ospel Church
[now KIIS(AM), was KRKD(AM)]
KFSG(FM) Los Angeles, CA O F)ours)quare G)ospel Church
Origins Release 6: Page 4
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]
KJBR(FM) Jonesboro, AR L J)onesb)or)o
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
KLIT Los Angeles, CA S L)i)t)e Rock"
KLOL(FM) Houston, TX F LOL=101 [101.1 mHz]
KLRA Little Rock, AR L L)ittle R)ock, A)rkansas
[cow KBIS, calls used in England, AR]
KLSX(FM) Los Angeles, CA S K)las)six) Rock
KLVI Beaumont, TX F LVI=56 [Roman Number for 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, calls on TV channel 9]
KMBI Spokane, WA O M)oody B)ible I)nstitute
[See WMBI Chicago]
KMGC(FM) Dallas, TX E M)ag)ic)
[now KDMX(FM)]
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)ssocation
KOIL Omaha, NE O Mona Motor Oil) Co.
KOIT San Francisco E KOIT=Coit [Tower, lanmark 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
Origins Release 6: Page 5
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, where Todd Storz began
the Top 40 format]
KPBC Garland, TX O P)ercy B). C)rawford
KPCC(FM) Pasadena, CA O P)asadena C)ity C)ollege
KPEL Lafayette, LA S P)e)l)ican [Louisiana=Pelican State]
KPMC Bakersfield, CA O P)ioneer M)ercantile C)ompany
KPOF Denver, CO O P)illar O)f F)ire Ministries
KPOL Los Angeles, CA O John P)oo)L)e Broadcasting
[now KZLA(AM)]
KPPC Pasadena, CA O P)asadena P)resbyterian C)hurch
[Former Owner]
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 Pioneer Station,
tracing its origin to 1909]
KRBC Abilene, TX O R)eporter B)roadcasting C)ompany
[Newspaper- now KFQX
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 calls on FM 96.9]
KRRV Sherman, TX L R)ed R)iver V)alley
[now KBLN]
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, calls on FM 93.7]
KSDO San Diego, CA L S)an D)iego), CA
KSEO Durant, OK L S)outhe)astern O)klahoma
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
Origins Release 6: Page 6
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
KSLR San Antonio, TX S S)on L)ight R)adio [Light of Jesus]
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, AR and TX
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
KUSC(FM) Los Angeles, CA O U)niversity of S)outhern C)alifornia
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 KIIM(AM)]
KVOD(FM) Denver, CO S V)oice O)f D)enver
[now KHOW, calls in use by FM 99.5]
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
[now KWSU]
KWSU Pullman, WA O W)ashington S)tate U)niversity
[was KWSC]
Origins Release 6: Page 7
VOCM St. John's, NF S V)oice o)f the C)ommon M)an
WABC/770 New York, NY O A)merican B)roadcasting C)ompany
[was WJZ when WABC was 880]
WABC/880 New York, NY O A)tlantic B)roadcasting C)ompany
[now WCBS/880]
WABS Arlington, VA S W)ashington A)rea B)ible S)tation
WACO Waco, TX L Waco), Texas
WADN(FM) Concord, MA L W)a)ld)en [near Walden Pond]
WAEB Allentown, PA L A)llentown E)aston B)ethelehem
WAJR Morgantown, WV O A)gnes J). R)eeves
WAKR Akron, OH L A)k)r)on
WAMO Pittsburgh, PA L A)llegheny M)onogahela O)hio
[Three Rivers converge in Pittsburgh]
WAPI Birmingham, AL O A)labama P)olytechnic I)nstitute [Auburn]
WAPP(FM) New York, NY S Big A)p)p)le
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]
WBFG(FM) Detroit, MI S W)e B)roadcast F)or G)od
[now WLLZ(FM)]
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(AM)]
WBKW Beckley, WV L BKW=Airport Designation for Beckley, WV
WBNS Columbus, OH O W)olfe B)ank N)ewspaper and S)hoes
WBOS(FM) Boston, MA L B)o)s)ton
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 BR)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]
WCBE-FM Columbus, OH L C)olumbus B)oard of E)ducation
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
WCGY(FM) Lawrence, MA O C)urt G)owdy)
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]
Origins Release 6: Page 8
WCLE Clevland, TN L C)l)e)veland, TN
WCLV Cleveland, OH L C)l)ev)eland, OH
WCMF(FM) Rochester, NY O C)ommunity M)usic F)M Service
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
WCOP Boston, MA O C)o)p)ley Nroadcasting Co.
[now WMEX]
WCRB(FM) Boston, MA O C)harles R)iver B)roadcasting
WCRW Chicago, IL O C)linton R). W)hite
WCSC Charleston, SC L C)harleston, S)outh C)arolina
WCTC New Brunswick, NJ O C)hant)ic)leer Broadcasting
[Original owner]
WCVU(FM) Naples, FL E CVU="Sea View"
WCWA Toledo, OH E CWA=Seaway [St. Lawrence Seaway]
WCXI Detroit, 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
WDCB Glen Ellyn, IL O D)uPage C)ommunity B)roadcasters
WDEL Wilmington, DE L Wilmington, Del)aware
WDGC(FM) Downers Grove, IL L D)owners G)rove C)ommunity
WDGY Minneapolis, MN O D)octor G)eorge Y)oung
WDIZ(FM) Orlando, FL E DIZ="Dis"ney World
WDKX(FM) Rochester, NY S D)ouglas K)ing Malcolm X)
[Black Historical Figures]
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
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]
WEBE(FM) Bridgeport, CT S WEBE=WeeBee
WEDC Chicago, IL O E)mil D)enemark C)ompany
WEEI Boston, MA O E)dison E)lectic I)lluminating
WEEX Easton, PA O E)aston E)x)press [Newspaper]
WEGX(FM) Philadelphia, PA E EGX="Eagle"
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
WERS(FM) Boston, MA O E)mer)s)on College
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 E)x)cel)l
Origins Release 6: Page 9
WEZK(FM) Knoxville, TN S EZ) Listening, K)noxville
WFAA Dallas, TX S W)orking F)or A)ll A)like
[now KLIF/570, calls in use
by TV channel 8]
WFAN New York, NY S Sports F)a)n)
WFBC Greenville, SC O F)irst B)aptist C)hurch
[Licensed to Knoxville then moved
to Greenville]
WFBG Altoona, PA O W)illiam F). G)able Co.
WFCR-FM Amherst, MA S F)ive C)ollege R)adio
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
WFIA Lousiville, KY S F)aith I)n A)merica
WFLA Tampa, FL L Tampa, F)l)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
WFNX(FM) Boston, MA E FNX=Phoenix [Boston Phoenix Newspaper]
WFOR Hattiesburg, MS L F)o)r)rest County, MS
WFOY St. Augustine, FL S F)ountain O)f Y)outh
WFPG Atlantic City, NJ S W)orld's F)amous P)layground
[now on FM, once was WPG at 1100 kHz]
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.
WGBH(FM) Boston, MA L Transmitter location on G)reat B)lue H)ill
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
WGPR(FM) Detroit, MI O G)rosse P)ointe R)adio
WGSM Huntington LI, NY S W)orld's G)reatest S)uburban M)arket
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 big coverage]
WGY Schenectady, NY O G)eneral Electric, SchenectadY), New York
WHAI Greenfield, MA O John H)a)i)gis
WHAR Clarksburg, WV L Har)rison County, WV
Origins Release 6: Page 10
WHAV Haverhill, MA L H)a)v)erhill, MA
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 Hartford, CT O H)artford C)oncert N)etwork
WHCN(FM) Hartford, CT O H)artford C)oncert N)etwork
WHCU Ithica, NY O C)ornell U)niversity
WHEC Rochester, NY O H)ickson E)lectric C)o
[now WXXI calls used on TV channel 10]
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 LI, 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]
WHTZ Newark, NJ E HTZ=Hits [known as Z100]
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
[W.R. 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
WJBK Detroit, MI S J)esus B)e K)ind
[now WCZY(AM) calls on TV channel 2]
WJCL(FM) Savannah, GA O J). C). L)ewis
WJFK Manassas, VA S J)ohn F)itzgerald K)ennedy
WJIB(FM) Boston, MA S JIB=a ship part
[now WCDJ]
WJIT New York, NY E JIT=Spanish, "Hit"
WJLB(AM) Detroit, MI O J)ohn L). B)ooth Broadcasting Co.
[now WQBH(AM)]
WJLB(FM) Detroit, MI O J)ohn L). B)ooth
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.
Origins Release 6: Page 11
WJW Cleveland, OH O J)ohn W)eimer
[Originally in Mansfield, then Akron, calls
now used on TV channel 8]
WJXR(FM) Maclenny, FL S J)ax)onville R)adio
WKAT Miami Beach, FL O Frank L. Kat)zentine
WKCI New Haven, CT O K)opps C)ommunications I)ncorporated
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
WLDB Atlantic City, NJ O L)eroy & D)orothy B)remer
[Original owners-now WUSS]
WLDS Jacksonville, IL S L)incoln D)ouglas S)tation
WLER(FM) Butler, PA L Butl)e)r). PA [FM sister of WBUT]
WLIB New York, NY L L)i)b)erty Bank Building
[Original location]
WLIP Kenosha, WI O W)illiam L)i)p)man [Former Owner]
WLIR(FM) Garden City, NY S L)ong I)sland R)adio
[now WDRE(FM)]
WLIS Old Saybrook, CT L L)ong I)sland S)ound
WLLH Lawrence, MA L L)awerence L)owell H)averhill, MA
WLOL Minneapolis, MN L L)and O)f L)akes
[now KSJN]
WLOU Louisville, KY L L)o)u)isville, KY
WLOX Biloxi, MS L Bil)o)x)i
WLS Chicago, IL S W)orlds L)argest S)tore
[once owned by Sears]
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]
[was WCFL]
WLW Cincinnati, OH S W)e L)ove W)attage [once 500 kw!]
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
[Was licensed to Mercer University]
WMBD Peoria, IL S W)orld's M)ost B)eautiful D)rive
[Road in Peoria 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]
WMFO(FM) Medford, MA L M)edf)o)rd
WMGK Philadelphia, PA E MGK="Magic"
WMID Atlantic City, NJ O M)i)d) Atlantic Broadcasting Co.
WMJC Smithtown, NY E MJC=Magic
WMJX Boston, MA E MJX=Magic
WMJX(FM) Boston, MA S M)a)gic One Oh Six)
Origins Release 6: Page 12
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 O M)emphis P)ress-S)cimitar [Newspaper]
[now WODZ(AM)]
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
WNBH New Bedford, MA L N)ew B)edford H)arbor
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
WNEW New York, NY L N)e)w) York
WNFL Green Bay, WI S N)ational F)ootball L)eague
WNIC Detroit, MI E NIC=Nice
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
WNYE New York, NY O N)ew Y)ork Board of E)ducation
WOC Davenport, IA S W)orld O)of Chiropractic [Palmer School]
WOCN Miami, FL E OCN=Ocean
WODS(FM) Boston, MA S O))d)ies) 103
WOLS Florence, SC O O). L)ee S)tone
WOMC(FM) Detroit, MI L W)ayne O)akland & M)acomb Counties
WOND Pleasantville, NJ S W)o)n)d)erful Music
WONE Dayton, OH O Group O)n)e) Broadcasting
WOOD Grand Rapids, MI L Wood
[Furniture makikng in Grand Rapids]
WORC Worcester, MA L Worc)ester, MA
WOSU Columbus, OH O O)hio S)tate U)niversity
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
Origins Release 6: Page 13
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
WPIX(FM) New York, NY E PIX=Picture [Daily News-NY's Picture
Newspaper-now WCDU]
WPLJ New York, NY S W)hite P)ort & L)emon J)uice
[R & B song]
WPLM Plymouth, MA L Pl)ym)outh, MA
WPLM Plymouth, MA L P)l)ym)outh
WPNA Oak Park, IL O P)olish N)ational A)lliance
WPNH Plymouth, NH L P)lymouth, N)H)
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]
WQBH Detroit, MI S Q)ueen's B)ack H)ome [Martha Jean,
Gospel Queen formerly of WJLB]
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]
WRCA New York, NY O R)adio C)orporation of A)merica
[now WFAN, formerly WNBC (again),
WRCA, WNBC and WEAF!]
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]
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
WRNL Richmond, VA O R)ichmond N)ews-L)eader [Newspaper]
WROA Gulfport, MS S W)onderful R)ivera O)f A)merica
[Miss. Gulf Coast]
WROC Rochester, NY L R)o)c)hester
[now WPXY(AM) calls on TV channel 8]
WROK Rockford, IL L R)o)ck)ford, IL
WRSU New Brunswick, NJ O R)utgers, S)tate U)niversity
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
Origins Release 6: Page 14
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
WSDM-FM Chicago,IL S S)mack D)ab in M)iddle
[of FM dial at 97.9-now WLUP-FM]
WSIX Nashville, TN O S)i)x) Thirty-Eight Tire Co.
[Former Owner]
WSJM St. Joseph, MI L S)t. J)oseph, M)ichigan
WSJS Winston-Salem, NC O W)inston-S)alem J)ournal S)tation
[Newspaper]
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]
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
WSPA Spartanburg, SC L Spa)rtanburg, South Carolina
WSPD Toledo, OH E SPD="Speedy" [Speedee Oil Co.]
WSPR Springfield, MA L Spr)ingfield, MA
WSSH(FM) Lawrence, MA S WSSH=Wish
WSTC Stamford, CT S S)tamford T)own C)hannel
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}
WSYB Rutland, VT S W)e S)erve Y)ou B)est
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]
WTBS(FM) Boston, MA O T)ech B)roadcasting S)ervice
[owned by MIT-now used by Ted Turner]
WTIC Hartford, CT O T)ravelers 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
WTMC Ocala, FL S W)elcome T)o M)arion C)ounty
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
WTOD Toledo, OH S W)e're T)op o)f the D)ial [1560 kHz]
WTOP Washington, DC F "Top" of the Dial [Old frequency of
1460 kHz placed it near top of AM dial]
WTRC Elkhart, IN O T)ruth R)adio C)ompany [Newspaper]
WTRL Bradenton, FL O T)r)ail) Broadcasting
[located near the Tamiami Trail]
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
WUST Bethesda, MD L U). S)t)reet
[DC Street in Black neighborhood]
WVCG Coral Gables, FL L V)oice of C)oral G)ables
Origins Release 6: Page 15
WVET Rochester, NY O V)eterans B)roadcasting C)orp.
[now WPXY(AM)]
WVLK Lexington, KY S V)oice of L)exington K)entucky
WVNJ(AM) Newark, NJ S V)oice of N)ew J)ersey
[now WSKQ(AM) and WHTZ(FM)]
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
WWLP-TV Springfield, MA O W)illiam L). P)utnam [original owner]
WWNC Asheville, NC L W)estern N)orth C)arolina
WWNR Beckley, WV S W)in W)ith N)ick R)ahall
[Congressman Rahall 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 New Haven, CT O Y)ale B)roadcasting C)ompany
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]
Origins Release 6: Page 16