nofars.net

1946: FCC ISSUES FOUR FM STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

CALL            FREQ.     ERP   ANT HT   DATE ISSUED

WMBR-FM    95.9 Mc  20kW   500 ft.       5/16/46    Changed to 96.1

WPDQ-FM    97.5 Mc  40kW   317 ft.       6/13/46  Apparently revoked

WJHP-FM  1  96.7 Mc  35kW   350 ft.       8/7/46    Changed to 96.9

WJAX-FM  2  96.3 Mc  16kW   560 ft.       8/9/46  Changed to 95.1

JACKSONVILLE FM STATION LOG  1948-1981

                 FREQ    FIRST
CALL        Mc/MHz YEAR* ERP

WJHP-FM 3  96.9      1948   33kW    Became WZOK-FM 1958

WJAX-FM     95.1      1949   11.5kW  Municipal Station

WMBR-FM 4 96.1      1949   63kW    Became WKTZ ca. 1959

WIVY-FM      93.7      1953   2.5 kW  License Cancelled 3/5/54

WALZ    5      99.1      1964   26.5kW  Became WQIK-FM in 1965

WIVY-FM   6 102.9     1965    29kW    First fulltime FM rock stn. 1971

WAQB-FM 7 104.9   1967   3kW      Atlantic Beach, shifted to 104.5

WJCT-FM   89.9      1972   50kW     PBS Non-commercial

WFAM        91.1      1973   1kW      Jones College Non-commercial

WJEE        107.3     1977   100kW  Became WCRJ-FM in 1981

WJXR         92.1      1978    3kW     MacClenny

WKUE         92.7     1978   3kW     Green Cove Springs

WFYV        104.5     1980   100kW   Atlantic Beach, former WAQB

Notes:

1 According to an advertisement in March 1, 1948 Broadcasting  magazine,  WJHP-FM was the first FM station on the air in Jacksonville. The ad states that WJHP-FM is now on the air eleven hours daily!

2 WJAX-FM appears to have been the second FM signal in town based on dates of FCC actions on construction permits. Possibly WMBR-FM didn't make it on until early 1950. 

3 Became WZFM in 1960.  Reverted to WZOK-FM in 1961.  Left the air in 1962.  Reactivated as WRLJ in 1968 by Belk Broadcasting.  Call changed to WPDQ-FM in 1969.

In early 1973, WPDQ AM's contemporary music programming shifted to FM.  WPDQ-FM aired an automated service entitled Solid Gold.  Despite the title, Solid Gold was a mixture of contemporary hits and oldies, some quite obscure.  Nightime hours were devoted to progressive music. WPDQ-FM became WAIV in 1976.

4  Before becoming Jones College Radio, WKTZ (96.1) was co-located in Atlantic Beach with WKTX (AM).  Jones College Radio drew a significant listenership programming semi-automated low-key music.

5 A milestone occurred in 1965 when low-key music station WALZ became WQIK-FM and started operation as Jacksonville's first fulltime country music (C&W) station. WQIK AM was daytime-only.

6 In 1971, WIVY-FM became the first FM station to program contemporary and progressive rock music fulltime.  WIVY AM/FM gradually shifted to a top 40 format.  By mid 1974, it topped WAPE AM according to some audience measurement ratings.  

7 After WKTZ moved to Jones College, WAQB-FM began transmitting from the same WKTX (AM) Atlantic Beach location near the ICW on Atlantic Blvd.  By 1970, WKTX (AM) and WAQB-FM became WJNJ AM/FM. WJNJ=Jack & Jerry, two of the owners.)

Additional Notes:

Dates cited in references vary and should be considered as being plus or minus at least a year.

Before the mid-1960s, FM stations often were off the air or inactive for extended periods.  FM listenership was small. Broadcasters kept stations active only to meet FCC license requirements hoping to profit in future years.

Most FM stations simulcasted programming from AM counterparts.

Some didn't sign on until 5pm or so.  

Some stations had interim callsigns that are not indicated above.

By the mid 1970s, cheaper FM receivers, better technology, the addition of FM capability to car radios and FCC restrictions against duplicating AM station programming led to greatly increased audience potential and profitability for FM broadcasters.

* = Exact sign-on years/dates and effective radiated power (ERP) levels for early FM stations varied among references books.  

Dates listed are those deemed most credible.

With power levels, who knows?

Generally, individual station ERP levels increased over the years up to 100kW maximum in some cases.

By 1970, the term megacycle (mc.) had been replaced by megahertz (MHz) in common usage.

JaxRadio.net

Compiled by:

Billy F. Williams, N4UF

WJAX AM/FM  Jacksonville, FL 1970-1971

AFVN AM/FM  Saigon, Vietnam 1971-1972

WFG-TV Ft. Gordon GA 1972-1973

WGUS AM/FM Augusta, GA  1973

WIVY FM/AM  Jacksonville FL 1974-1976