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WNRN

Simulcasts WNRN-FM, Charlottesville
Richmond, Virginia United States
Broadcast area	Metro Richmond
Frequency	1590 kHz
Branding	WNRN
Programming
Format	Adult album alternative; public radio
Ownership
Owner	Stu-Comm, Inc.
Sister stations	WHAN, WNRN-FM, WNRS-FM, WRJR
History
First air date	December 1958 (1958-12)
Former call signs	WEZL (1958–1961) WRGM (1961–1964) WGOE (1964–1982) WFTH (1982–2024)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	67683
Class	D
Power	5,000 watts daytime 24 watts nighttime
Transmitter coordinates	37°30′1.23″N 77°27′22.34″W / 37.5003417°N 77.4562056°W / 37.5003417; -77.4562056
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	www.wnrn.org

WNRN (1590 AM) is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, and serving the Greater Richmond Region. WNRN is owned and operated by Stu-Comm, Inc. It airs an adult album alternative radio format, simulcasting sister station WNRN-FM in Charlottesville, Virginia. WNRN is listener supported, with on-air fundraisers held throughout the year.

WNRN broadcasts in the daytime at 5,000 watts, using a non-directional antenna. The station decreases power to 24 watts at night to protect others on the same frequency. 1590 AM is a regional broadcast frequency.

Programming is also heard on FM translator station W203CB at 88.5 MHz, which has a power of 170 watts.

History

In December 1958, the station signed on as WEZL. The station was originally a daytimer, required to sign-off at sunset. In 1964, it was purchased by Richard S. Reynolds III and future Lieutenant Governor of Virginia J. Sargeant Reynolds. As WGOE, the station was first a top-40 outlet. It later became locally famous for airing a progressive rock format, which was typically the domain of FM radio, during the 1970s.

In 1982, the station was bought by the Willis Broadcasting Corporation. Owner L.E. Willis Sr. changed the call sign to WFTH to represent the word "faith". The format was switched to black gospel music and preaching shows.

In May 2016, the station was leased to Stu-Comm, Inc., owner of non-commercial 91.9 WNRN-FM in Charlottesville, Virginia. WFTH was sold to Stu-Comm the next month. Stu-Comm's goal was to take advantage of the Federal Communications Commission's "AM revitalization" program, which allows owners of eligible AM stations to purchase and move in FM translators from up to 250 miles away. A facility was brought in from Harrisville, West Virginia, which is now on the air as W203CB. This translator replaces WNRN-FM's previous signal in the area, W276BZ (103.1 FM), which broadcast at just 10 watts and drew listener complaints due to its poor coverage of the city.

The station changed its call sign to WNRN on January 2, 2024.

Translator

In addition to the main station, WNRN is relayed by one FM translator to widen its broadcast area.

References

1. ^ "FCC History Cards for WNRN". FCC.
2. "Facility Technical Data for WNRN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
3. ^ "WNRN Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
4. ^ "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
5. "W203CB Facility Data". FCCData.
6. Broadcasting Yearbook 1983 page B-256
7. Venta, Lance. "Station Sales Week Of 6/3: Multicultural Swaps Trust Assets In Los Angeles". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
8. "WNRN". FCCData. REC Networks.
9. "Boosting Our Richmond Signal".
10. "W276BZ Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved July 30, 2016.

External links

• 91-9 WNRN Online
• Facility details for Facility ID 67683 (WNRN) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WNRN in Nielsen Audio's AM station database

• 1958 establishments in Virginia
• Radio stations established in 1958
• Radio stations in Richmond, Virginia
• NPR member stations