ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º Radio Station Call Letter Origins º º Fifth Release: 28 July 1990 º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ by Bob Nelson Dallas, Texas CompuServe: 72647,3332 BPFORUM Voice KRSR: (214) 716-7800 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 - 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]. ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Calls City of License * Explantation/Notes ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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 ÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ä ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 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] ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º Radio Station Call Letter Origins º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 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 - ORIGINS5: Page 12 - - 12 - - ORIGINS5: Page 13 -