ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º Radio Station Call Letter Origins º º Sixth Release: 12 April 1991 º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 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. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ K E Y ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ Calls: Call Letters (All are AM unless otherwise noted) ³ ³ City of License: Current City of License as of this document's date ³ ³ ³ ³ *: Origin of Call Letters ³ ³ ³ ³ E-Euphony (Sound of Call Letters, perhaps spelling a word) ³ ³ F-Frequency (Call Letters related in some way to dial position ³ ³ O-Ownership Related (Initials or Name of Original Licensee) ³ ³ L-Location Related (Pertaining to Geographic Feature, Region or City) ³ ³ S-Slogan (Promotional Phrase, usually reflecting Licensee) ³ ³ ³ ³ Explanation/Notes: Highlights Relationship to Call Letters ³ ³ For instance, WCFL (once in Chicago) would be ³ ³ highlighted as: C)hicago F)ederation of L)abor ³ ³ to clarify "CFL" in the callsign. ³ ³ [Brackets indicate additional ³ ³ historic facts dealing with the ³ ³ call letters or station]. ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Calls City of License * Explanation/Notes ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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