WHEP
 | |
| Broadcast area | Baldwin County, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1310 kHz |
| Branding | Radio Baldwin |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Full service/oldies |
| Affiliations | Dial Global |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Stewart Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | May 31, 1953[1] |
Call sign meaning | Howard E. Pill (original owner)[1] |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 63429 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 2,500 watts (day) 43 watts (night) |
Transmitter coordinates | 30°26′38″N 87°40′52″W / 30.44389°N 87.68111°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | whep1310.com |
WHEP (1310 AM, "Radio Baldwin") is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Baldwin County. The station was established in 1953 and is owned by Stewart Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Programming
WHEP broadcasts oldies music and news to Baldwin County, Alabama.[3] In addition to its usual news and Rock’n Roll programming, WHEP airs a twice-daily radio program called Baldwin County Trading Post six days a week.
Weekday programming includes Breakfast in Baldwin with Kenny Graves, featuring news, sports, and weather, plus a daily church program from Berean Baptist Church. Mid-days feature Jack Bell playing all era of Rock’n Roll. The Paul Finebaum Sports Show airs weekday afternoons. Syndicated evening programming includes America's Radio News Network, a conservative talk show hosted by Jerry Doyle, and Advice Line from Dial Global's Talk Radio Network. Weekend programming typically includes music, news, and Auburn Tigers football or Atlanta Braves baseball in season, plus local church programs on Sunday mornings.
History
This station launched on May 31, 1953, as a 1,000 watt daytime-only station under the ownership of Howard E. Pill's Alabama Gulf Radio, Inc.[4] The station has been assigned the "WHEP" call sign by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since it was initially licensed.[1][5]
The station was acquired by James E. Stewart, Sr.'s Stewart Broadcasting Company on May 1, 1961.[6] In June 1980, station ownership applied to the FCC to transfer the broadcast license from the unincorporated Stewart Broadcasting Company to Stewart Broadcasting Company, Inc. The FCC approved the move on July 21, 1980.[7]
In January 2003, James E. Stewart, Sr., transferred his 52% ownership stake in Stewart Broadcasting Company, Inc., to his son, Clark J. Stewart.[8] After the transfer, the younger Stewart held 98% of the voting stock with his siblings Elizabeth Stewart Purvis and James E. Stewart, Jr., each holding 1%. The FCC approved this transfer of control on February 27, 2003. The transfer took place on March 6, 2003. This move made Clark J. Stewart the president of the company with his father stepping back to be vice-president.[8]
From its launch in 1953, WHEP had been licensed to operate as a daytimer, restricted to broadcasting only during daylight hours to protect WDOD in Chattanooga, Tennessee from skywave interference.[9] In July 2005, the station applied to the FCC for a construction permit to add nighttime service with a signal restricted to just 48 watts of power.[10] The commission granted this permit on November 15, 2005, and after construction and testing were completed in September 2007, the station began licensed nighttime operation on December 6, 2007.[10][11]
Translators
WHEP programming is also carried on a broadcast translator station to extend or improve the coverage area of the station.
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W223AX | 92.5 FM FM | Foley, Alabama | 143804 | 250 | D | LMS |
References
- ^ a b c "About Us". WHEP 1310. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WHEP". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
- ^ "Directory of AM and FM Stations and Market Data for the United States". 1955 Broadcasting Yearbook-Marketbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1955. p. 70.
- ^ "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access Database. U.S. Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
- ^ "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1963 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1963. p. B-5.
- ^ "Application Search Details (BAL-19800630HD)". FCC Media Bureau. July 21, 1980. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ a b "Application Search Details (BTC-20030110ADG)". FCC Media Bureau. March 6, 2003. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "AM Station Classes: Clear, Regional, and Local Channels". Federal Communications Commission, Audio Division. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ a b "Application Search Details (BP-20050728AQL)". FCC Media Bureau. November 15, 2005. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "Application Search Details (BL-20070926ARL)". FCC Media Bureau. December 6, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
External links
- WHEP official website
- Facility details for Facility ID 63429 (WHEP) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WHEP in Nielsen Audio's AM station database