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North Florida Amateur Radio Society

W4IZ Jacksonville FL

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Editor: Billy Williams, N4UF

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Jacksonville FM Broadcast Station Log

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.

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nofars.net
Editor: Billy Williams, N4UF

n4uf@nofars.net