WPMH

WPMH (1010 kHz) is a Christian talk formatted AM radio station licensed to Portsmouth, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads. WPMH is owned by Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation.[1]

For the Claremont, Virginia radio station that held the call sign WPMH at 670 AM from 2004 to 2010, see WRJR.
WPMH
CityPortsmouth, Virginia
Broadcast areaHampton Roads
Frequency1010 kHz
Branding"The Lighthouse 100.1"
Programming
FormatChristian talk
Ownership
OwnerChesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation
WLES, WHKT, WRJR, WTJZ
History
First air date
1972
Former call signs
WPMH (1971-2004)
WRJR (2004-2010)
Technical information
Facility ID10759
ClassB
Power5,000 watts daytime
449 watts nighttime
Transmitter coordinates
36°49′20.0″N 76°26′38.0″W
Translator(s)100.1 W261DI (Norfolk)
Links
WebsiteWPMHradio.com

WPMH is also heard on FM translator station W261DI at 100.1 MHz, in Norfolk, Virginia.

History

Although the station's initial application for a construction permit was filed in 1960, it did not sign on until December 12, 1971, as WPMH. It was a daytimer, allowed to broadcast only from sunrise to sunset, to avoid interference with other radio stations. AM 1010 is a Canadian clear-channel frequency. Years later, the station was permitted to stay on the air around the clock, but using a low power at night.

Expanded Band assignment

On March 17, 1997 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that eighty-eight stations had been given permission to move to newly available "Expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz, with WPMH authorized to move from 1010 to 1650 kHz.[2]

A construction permit for the expanded band station, also in Portsmouth, was assigned the call letters WAWT on January 9, 1998, which were changed to WHKT the next month.[3] The FCC's initial policy was that both the original station and its expanded band counterpart could operate simultaneously for up to five years, after which owners would have to turn in one of the two licenses, depending on whether they preferred the new assignment or elected to remain on the original frequency.[2] However, this deadline has been extended multiple times, and both stations have remained authorized.

Later history

In 2004, the call sign was changed to WRJR. Chesapeake-Portsmouth purchased WRJR from The Walt Disney Company, along with WHKT, in January 2010.[4] In the interim, despite having previously brokered the station to Chesapeake-Portsmouth, Disney, in an FCC filing, stated that it took WRJR, along with five former Radio Disney stations slated to be sold (including WHKT), off the air on January 22.[5][6] WRJR did not leave the air.[7]

On July 1, 2010, the station's call sign was changed back to WPMH.

Translators

In addition to the main signal, WPMH operates an FM translator station to increase its broadcast reach.

Call signFrequency
(MHz)		City of licenseERP
(W)		ClassFCC info
W261DI100.1Norfolk, Virginia225DFCC FM Query

References
  1. "WPMH Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations" (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997.
  3. Call Sign History for 1650 AM (Facility ID: 87170)
  4. "APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. January 27, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  5. "Radio Disney Takes Six Stations Silent". All Access. January 28, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  6. Zucker, John W (January 26, 2010). "Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  7. "Extension of Existing Engineering STA". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 18, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
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