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WTAX-FM

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WTAX-FM
SimulcastsWTAX (AM)Springfield
Broadcast areaSpringfield metropolitan area
Frequency93.9MHz
BrandingNewsRadio WTAX
Programming
FormatNews/talk
AffiliationsCBS News Radio
NBC News Radio
Compass Media Networks
Premiere Networks
Salem Radio Network
Westwood One
Ownership
Owner
  • Saga Communications
  • (Saga Communications of Illinois, LLC)
WLFZ,WTAX,WYMG,WDBR
History
First air date
September 1, 1971;53 years ago(1971-09-01)(as WLRX)
Former call signs
WPRC-FM (1971–1981)
WLRX (1981–1986)
WESZ (1986–1994)
WWTE (1994–1996)
WYXY (1996–2001)
WMHX (2001–2005)
WABZ (2005–2013)
WQQL (2013–2021)
Call signmeaning
Taken from sister stationWTAX (AM)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID9964
ClassB1
ERP15,000watts
HAAT131 meters (430 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°59′25.00″N89°30′46.00″W/ 39.9902778°N 89.5127778°W/39.9902778; -89.5127778
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewtax

WTAX-FM(93.9MHz) is acommercialradio stationbroadcasting anews/talkradio format,simulcastwithWTAX1240 AM.LicensedtoSherman, Illinois,it serves theSpringfield metropolitan area.The station is owned by Saga Communications, and operates as part of its Capitol Radio Group.[2]Theradio studiosand offices are on East Sangamon Avenue in Springfield.[3]

WTAX-FM has aneffective radiated power(ERP) of 15,000watts.Thetransmitteris on 450th Avenue atInterstate 55inMount Fulcher, Illinois.[4]

Programming

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Weekdays on WTAX-AM-FM begin with a localdrive timeshow, "The Morning Newswatch," hosted by Joey McLaughlin. The rest of the weekday schedule is made up ofnationally syndicatedtalk shows:Hugh Hewitt,"Markley, Van Camp and Robbins,"Sean Hannity,Mark Levin,John Batchelor,"Red Eye Radio"and"This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal."

Weekends feature shows on money, health, home repair, technology, the law and cars. Weekend hosts includeJoe Pags,Sebastian Gorka,Chris Plante,Leo LaporteandBill Handel.Most hours begin with world and national news fromCBS News Radio.

History

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The stationsigned onas WPRC-FM on September 1, 1971;53 years ago(1971-09-01).The station changed itscall signto WLRX on May 3, 1981. On June 1, 1986, the call sign was changed to WESZ. On November 15, 1994, it was changed to WWTE, and on September 16, 1996, to WYXY. From February 19, 2001, to April 7, 2005, the station aired ahot adult contemporaryformat as WMHX, "Mix 93.9". On April 8, 2005, the station flipped toadult hitsas "93.9 ABE FM" and adopted the callsign WABZ.

On October 2, 2013, the WQQL call sign was moved from 101.9 to 93.9, and the format was changed toclassic hitsas "Cool 93.9". On the same day, "ABE FM" was moved toFM translator101.1 W266BZ (which is currently also aired onWDBR's HD2 subchannel asclassic country"101.1 The Outlaw" ).

On May 28, 2021, WQQL announced that the classic hits format would move to translator 93.5 W288DL on June 7; at that time, WQQL assumed the translator's previous format, a simulcast of AM station WTAX. The move would end the use of the "Cool" branding in Springfield, as the station would rebrand as "Rewind 93.5" with the move; the name had been used, originally on 101.9, since 1993. The move is also believed to be an answer to a previous move withWMAY,having a simulcast onWMAY-FMadded the previous September, giving WTAX a similar option on FM radio.[5]Concurrent with the move, 93.9 changed its call letters to WTAX-FM to match its new simulcast partner.

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References

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  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for WTAX-FM".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^"WTAX-FM Facility Record".United StatesFederal Communications Commission,audio division.
  3. ^WTAX /contact
  4. ^Radio-Locator /WTAX-FM
  5. ^Saga Preps Springfield Frequency Swap
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