 | |
| Broadcast area | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1590 kHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Defunct (was R&B) |
| History | |
| First air date | October 1961 |
| Last air date | 1988 |
| Former call signs | WLUM |
| Call sign meaning | West Allis Wisconsin AM |
| Technical information | |
| Power | 1,000 watts (daytime only) |
WAWA was a radio station licensed to West Allis, Wisconsin, serving the Milwaukee area, located at 1590 AM. Its studio and transmitter were located in Elm Grove. For the station's entire existence, WAWA was the sister station to WAWA-FM (later WLUM-FM).
The station signed on the air in 1961, and signed off in 1988, when the owner returned the license to the FCC. Since the FCC no longer re-licenses daytime-only stations, the 1590 AM frequency allocation in the Milwaukee market is considered to be permanently deleted.
History
Originally airing an adult standards format, WAWA quickly found success playing rhythm and blues music, starting in 1963. The format was popular with Milwaukee's African-American community, and was a serious rival to WNOV during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. They also simulcast part-time with their FM sister station at 102.1 FM, later carrying the WLUM call letters, with their sister station. All-Pro Broadcasting purchased both stations in 1979. In 1988, they were able to buy a stronger station at 1290 AM. Since FCC rules at the time would not allow them to keep both AM stations, and because they were unable to sell WAWA, they signed 1590 AM off the air for good and returned the station's license to the FCC. WAWA's format and programming were subsequently moved to 1290 AM.
References
External links
- FCC History Cards for WAWA (covering 1958-1981)
- WAWA playlist from May 24, 1965
- Airchecks from WAWA 1590 (from Airchexx.com)
- Article from the Milwaukee Sentinel, January 4, 1974
| Radio stations in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, metropolitan area | |||||
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| By FM frequency |
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| NOAA Weather Radio frequency | |||||
| Digital radio by frequency & subchannel | |||||
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| Defunct | |||||
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| Daytime-only radio stations in Wisconsin | |
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| Stations | |
| Defunct | |
| See also: Clear channel radio stations and Why AM Radio Stations Must Reduce Power, Change Operations, or Cease Operations at Night | |
- Radio stations in the Milwaukee metropolitan area
- Defunct radio stations in the United States
- Radio stations established in 1961
- African-American history of Milwaukee
- African-American history of Wisconsin
- Radio stations disestablished in 1988
- 1961 establishments in Wisconsin
- 1988 disestablishments in Wisconsin
- Daytime-only radio stations in Wisconsin
- Defunct mass media in Wisconsin