Frederick Area Radio Stations
Frederick Area Radio Stations
| AM Radio
AM 700 WDMV, Walkersville, MD Talk “DC Radio 700” WWTL signed on in 1995. Was originally to be a religious station in Reston VA, but the FCC instead licensed it to this small town. It’s not even really in Walkersville, it’s in a smaller town outside of Walkersville called Mount Pleasant. Going east on Route 26 you can see the 3 red and white towers. The station runs 5,000 watts daytime and is directional broadcasting towards the Washington DC area. The station is owned by Sima Berch from Detroit as International Broadcasting. After Greaseman moved to WMET, WDMV down broadcasts “Washington’s Business Radio” full time. The station in mid August of 2000 stopped playing it’s normal relaying of the ANA (Arab Network of America) and started playing international fare. Then in mid 2002 dropped the ethnic format all together and went to english talk as WGOP. They now have “The Greaseman” mornings, Islamic programming throughout the day. AM 700 has been approved by the FCC to move to Poolesville MD and increase their power to 25,000 watts (remaining daytime only). Before this move can happen, their are some significant zoning issues in Montgomery County that must be overcome. The station exclusively targets the Washington DC audience. In July, 2004 the WGOP calls were moved to Pocomoke City, MD and AM 700 received the Pocomoke City’s heritage calls WDMV. “WTOP News” On December 18th, 2000 Bonneville turned WXTR into a relay of WTOP, an all news station from D.C. WXTR came on in 1960 as WMHI on 1370 AM and was owned by Musical Heights Inc. The owners were three partners. Including John Staub, current owner of WJEJ. It played at the time what was Top 40. The station received an FM at 103.9 FM because on AM it could only stay on during the day, now with an FM it could also stay on all night. At night the station played popular country. In 1975 a new manager (known as the “original” Howard Johnson) made some changes, like changing the callsign to WZYQ and calling the stations “14ZYQ”. 14ZYQ, later changed to “Z104 Hot Stereo Rock” was the dominant Top 40 station in the Frederick area in the late 70’s and early 80’s. This was also the original home of “Christmas Cash for Kids”, now sponsored by WFMD. 14ZYQ/Z104 was know for crazy promotions like the “Great Bathtub Race” in Frederick’s Baker Park. In 1986 the AM station moved from AM 1370 to AM 820 and made into all country “82Q” as WQSI. 103.9 FM became Top 40 as a redesigned “Z104”. In 1995 both stations were sold to Bonneville and AM 820 continued as “Real Country” and got the WXTR call sign. On 12/18/00 Bonneville turned WXTR all news in a WTOP relay, along with AM 1500 and FM 107.7 in the DC area. AM 820 is now Frederick’s CBS News source in the change, CBS news use to be on WFMD. WXTR also dropped Frederick Keys Baseball (see WTHU 1450). WXTR is 4,300 watts during the day and 430 watts directional at night. Stations 2 towers can be seen behind WFMD’s towers off Route 40 near Frederick Towne Mall. AM 930 WFMD , Frederick, MD News/Talk/Sports “Frederick’s News Radio 930 WFMD” This is the oldest station in central Maryland. It’s sister station is 99.9 WFRE, a country station. The two stations are now owned by ClearChannel Communications. Before that it had been owned by Jim Gibbons Radio and before that Monacacy Broadcasting Co. Station first went on the air in 1936. From then most of what was broadcast was live, like popular dance to bluegrass. In 1943 WFMD became a affiliate of CBS relaying shows like “The Lone Ranger” and Arthur Godfrey in the morning. Does anyone remember “Happy Johnny” doing mornings? In 1967 Jim Gibbons, a well known sportscaster in Washington, bought WFMD AM/FM. He changed if from a station that played mostly country music to adding popular hits and put Tommy Grunwell in the morning. Through the 70’s and 80’s WFMD had an adult music shift. Rush Limbaugh debuted in 1988 and in 1992 WFMD went all News/Talk. In 1998 the station was sold to Capstar (who then became Chancellor, then AM/FM, now ClearChannel). Tommy Grunwell exited and some small changes have been made. WFMD was a CBS affiliate with CBS news, but with the WXTR change (see above) changed to ABC news on the hour. The station has The Morning News Express; and syndicates Dr. Laura, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox Sports, Jim Bohannon, and more. The station carries Orioles Baseball, Redskins Football, Terrapins college sports, and local high school games. AM 930 is directional all the time with 5,000 watts during the day and 2,500 watts at night. Station’s 4 towers and studio can be seen from Route 40 across from Frederick Towne Mall in Frederick.
AM 1450 WTHU , Thurmont, MD Nostalgia/Big Band “Great Songs and Great Memories” Vic Leisner in Thurmont couldn’t get the Orioles games where he lived from any of the area stations, so what did he do? In 1967 he started his own station! WTHU was the last 100 watt full time station to be licensed by the FCC. It upgraded power over the years. The station plays light music from the 50’s and 60’s like Perry Como and Frank Sinatra. This was an adult contemporary station, then went to oldies/talk and later country before it’s current nostalgia format. It’s 500 watts day and 400 watts night signal only really covers Frederick County, but does so surprisingly well during the day. Station has programs like ” Trading Post”, “In Memory”, “Country Classic’s” and “George Wireman’s Thurmont.” Starting 2001 WTHU became the station to carry Frederick Keys baseball, but that was dropped only a year later. Only station in the area to broadcast in AM Stereo ((C-QUAM)). Dubbed “Stereo 1450” Owned by the Thurmont Times. AM 1520 WTRI , Brunswick, MD Vegas Radio – Modern Nostalgia This day timer in Brunswick has a long history of being the little station that could. WTRI (so named for the “TRI” states it covers) came on the air as a 500 watt station in 1962 by the owners of a little record shop. It played country music and had the policy of no religious or political advertising. The station was family run with each family member having a job there. Although a daytime only station, during Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the FFC gave WTRI emergency permission to operate 24 hours a day to communicate information about the disastrous flooding in Brunswick. In 1973, the station burned to the ground, but was quickly back on the air as it received tremendous help from the community and surrounding radio stations. The station was extremely community oriented, it held benefit’s at the Weinberg Center and even let high school kids in a class run the station for a week. For remote broadcasts the station bought fire trucks to set up antennas. The station had more trucks than the local fire company! In the mid-80’s the station was sold to two silent partners. The country format was expanded to have political interviews. In 1991 the station was sold again to Liz Robert’s, formerly a correspondent to the BBC. The station took on a oldies format with the slogan “Where local stars shine.” In 1997 the station was in huge financial debt and sold to Capital Broadcasting in Annapolis. The station went from 500 watts to 10,000 watts and took on a Spanish pop format as “Alpha”. On 10/7/00, WTRI started playing automated instrumental music, then on 10/28/00 it was off-the-air. Back on-the-air right before Thanksgiving with the same instrumental format. After that it was on-the-air, off-the-air almost daily. The finally on 1/12/01 the station went to a Korean format. It’s signal is directed towards Washington DC down the Potomac River. In February, 2005 Tricaster debuted the Vegas Radio format. A mix of nostalgia, big bands, Broadway tunes and modern classics. The station has the “Buddy Rizer Morning Show” live and local! Long time radio personalities Bob Duckman and Steve Ray also have shows. WTRI is also home to the Washington Nationals, Navy Football, along with a NFL game of the week. AM 1630 WMVY510 , Frederick, MD Traveler Information This is the “Maryland State Highway Administration Traveler Advisory Radio System.” It operates on only 10 watts, and broadcasts specific travel messages repeatedly. Use to be on AM 530. Carried on 2 transmitters, one from the I-70/I-270 interchange and one from the truck stop west of Frederick on I-70.
FM Radio FM 88.1 WYPF, Frederick, MD NPR In Aprill, 2004 WJTM was purchased by Baltimore based “Your Public Radio, Inc.” that operates WYPR on 88.1 fm in Baltimore. Currently the station simulcast all WYPR programming from Baltimore. But the new owners are promising more Frederick related information and programs in the future. FM 88.9 W205BL, Frederick, MD Classical/NPR This is a translator of WETA in Frederick. It currently broadcasts on 10 watts directional power. 88.9 relays the classical/National Public Radio programming of WETA into Frederick where the main WETA and WETH signals miss. Owned by Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association (GWETA for short). FM 89.9 WMTB , Emmitsburg, MD College “High on the mountain, low on the dial” This is the medium powered college station from Mount Saint Mary’s College. Has a variety of music including progressive, rock, pop, folk, and more. Station is on the air during school. WMTB does stream audio through its website when on (which isn’t always). FM 91.7 W219BX , Frederick, MD Religious “Where Christ Reaches Hearts” A low power FMer that carries 90.5 WCRH into Frederick. Relay is only 2 watts, but being located high atop Gambrill State Park that 2 watts does a pretty great job covering central Frederick County. FM 93.5 W228AM , Frederick, MD Religious “Family Radio” A low power FM that carries WFSI 107.9 FM from Annapolis, MD. Relay is 20 watts so it is pretty well heard around Frederick County and a little beyond. WFSI is owned by California Family Radio out of Oakland CA. Family Radio is one of the biggest religious broadcasters in the country. FM 99.9 WFRE , Frederick, MD Country “Free Country” Started broadcasting in 1961 as WFMD-FM, with easy listening music. But the station wanted to give the FM a different image, so it was later named WFRE. In 1992 the easy listening programming was dropped and the station went country. Constantly number one in the Frederick market, it also gets ratings in the Washington DC. Sister station to News/Talk WFMD. Formerly owned by Jim Gibbons radio , now owned by Clear Channel Communications (formerly Capstar, then Chancellor, then AM/FM Inc.). WFRE’s signal clearly reaches Hagerstown, Southern PA, and the burbs of both Washington and Baltimore along with Loudoun County, VA. FM 103.1 WAFY, Middletown, MD Adult Contemporary “Key 103.1” For 10 years Barbara Marmet fought three other applicants for FM 103.1 to start a station. She won and in 1990 “Key 103.1” went on the air. The studio is in a renovated barn in Frederick while the transmitter is in Middletown. The station has a adult contemporary format playing music from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today. In 2004 the station was sold to Nassau Broadcasting, leaving Frederick with no locally owned FM stations. It dubs itself a community station. FM 103.9 WGYS , Braddock Heights, MD Clssical “Z104” This station was the FM sister to WMHI in the 70’s. It came on the air in 1972 and made it so WMHI can be on after dark because the AM station was day time only. It had a transmitter site where WWEG 106.9 FM is now, before it moved to it’s current Gambrill Park site. It played Top 40 and at night played popular country. In the mid seventies and eighties the station’s call letters were changed to WZYQ and the stations were called “14ZYQ” and later “Z104” as the FM band began to dominate. station became “Z-104”. In 1975 the general manager was (the real) Howard Johnson as some people have referred to him. The first Z-104 had such jocks as Big Don O’Brien, Gary Michaels, and Shotgun Mark Rivers. Known for community involvement such as starting the “Christmas Cash for Kids” (now on WFMD) and having crazy promotions such as the “Great Bathtub Race” in Frederick’s Baker Park. 14ZYQ/Z104 dominated the Top 40 rating in the late 70’s and early 80’s. In 1986, the AM station moved from 1370 to 820 and became country formatted 82Q. In the mid 90’s WZYQ sold and simulcasts 104.1 from Waldorf/Washington, which was oldies and later 70’s oldies. In 1995 was bought by Bonneville and was reborn as “Z-104” again with a dance/Top-40 format. This lasted until October 1st of 2001 when Z-104 threw down it’s hit music status and added more alternative rock to it’s playlist and eliminated the rhythmic music and the “Z”. In the Spring of 2006, the Z104 was dropped at 103.9 became the Frederick relay of Classical WGMS which also moved from 103.5 to 104.1. Taking the 103.5 frequency was Newsradio WTOP. FM 105.5 W228AB , Frederick, MD Country Why did I put country WFRE at FM 105.5 you ask? Well, the station own’s a translator at 105.5 at WFMD’s site. The antenna is at the site, on the station’s roof. The translator is used to get WFRE’s signal in areas that the main signal has trouble getting it’s signal into, like Yellow Springs. Runs on a massive 1 watt and can be heard in the immediate vicinity of WFMD’s towers. It use to be at the old roller skate park in Braddock Heights until the fire, booming it’s 1 watt signal into the Middletown Valley. Owned by ClearChannel with WFRE and WFMD. FM 106.9 WWEG, Hagerstown-Frederick, MD Classic Hits “Oldies 106.9” Since 1982 this station has been owned by Manning Broadcasting, which also owns WARK, an AM in Hagerstown that at night and weekends simulcasts WARX. This station has had many formats, in order: “Sunshine” country (as WWCS), album rock (107X), “Sunny” AC (107ARX), Oldies, and now Classic Hits. Now dubbed “1069 The Eagle”, it offers rock oriented hits from the 60’s through the 80’s. Cougar Michaels, long time morning host on WFRE, hosts mornings on The Eagle. The transmitter is located on South Mountain, on the south border of the Frederick/Washington county line. This was the site used for WMHI 103.9 back in the day. Before WARX was here, it was in Hagerstown sharing a tower with WARK 1490. It went on the air in 1957 as WARK-FM, and simulcast the AM station. The station was sold in 2004 to Nassau Broadcasting who has applied to move the City of License to Myersville, MD, the small town where the WWEG tower is located. Broadcast TV LP-TV 52 W52AS , Frederick, MD static This was a low-power television station relaying the “Three Angels Network,” a religious network. I have only watched it once, and all I saw was choir singing followed by bible reading. This channel is NOT carried by cable in Frederick. Transmitter was south-west of the city of Frederick. A application has been submitted to the FCC to move this station to channel 31. But as of now the station is off-the-air. TV 62 WFPT , Frederick, MD PBS One of the many UHF stations on the “Maryland Public Television (MPT for short)” network. Went on the air in 1986. It’s digital television broadcasts have been assigned to channel 28, weather or not that is on the air now, I am not sure. It is carried on Frederick Cable on channel 3. Other MPT stations that can be received in the area are channel 67 from Baltimore, channel 31 from Hagerstown, and channel 22 from Annapolis. WFPT’s transmitter is located halfway between Frederick City and the Frederick/Montgomery County line. |