WAWY
{{short description|Air 1 radio station in Dundee, Illinois}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = Air1 logo 2019.svg
| name = WAWY
| city = Dundee, Illinois
| country = US
| area = Northwest Suburban Chicago / Fox Valley
| branding = Air1
| frequency = 103.9 MHz {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1967|6|8}} (as WVFV)
| format = Contemporary worship music
| subchannels = {{ubl|HD2: K-Love 90's|HD3: K-Love 2000's}}
| erp = 6,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|97|m|sp=us}}
| class = A
| facility_id = 3135
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = WVFV (1967–1980)
WCRM (1980–1989)[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=3135 Call Sign History], FCC.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
WABT (1989–1996)
WZCH (1996–2004)
WWYW (2004–2013)
WFXF (2013–2019)
| owner = Educational Media Foundation
| licensee =
| licensing_authority = FCC
| sister_stations = WAWE, WCKL, WCLR, WLWX, WOKL, WZKL
| affiliations = Air1
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://www.air1.com/listen/player}}
| website = {{url|https://www.air1.com/}}
}}
WAWY (103.9 FM) is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to Dundee, Illinois, and serving the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation, and carries its "Air1" contemporary worship music network. The station is listener-supported and seeks donations on the air.
WAWY has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 6,000 watts. Its transmitter is located in Gilberts, Illinois.
History
=WVFV=
The station began broadcasting on June 8, 1967, as WVFV.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1968/B%201%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201968.pdf 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook], Broadcasting, 1968. p. B-52. Retrieved July 26, 2018.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=80483 History Cards for WAWY], fcc.gov. Retrieved June 22, 2018. The call sign stood for the "Voice of the Fox Valley".Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 123-127. The station was founded by Jim French, who operated out of a space above Cardinal Savings and Loans in West Dundee. WVFV's transmitter was built in Gilberts, Illinois. It originally operated from noon to midnight.
The station featured a middle-of-the-road format, with a heavy emphasis on big band music, as well as broadcasts of local high school sports and city council meetings."[https://books.google.com/books?id=REUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24 Call Gimmick Stirs Listeners]", Billboard, July 8, 1972. Retrieved July 26, 2018."[https://dailyherald.newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago/1971-10-13/page-18/ Football]", Daily Herald, October 1, 1971. Section 2, Page 6. Retrieved July 28, 2018. Prior to the launch of WVFV, an earlier station on 103.9 FM, WELG in Elgin, operated from 1960{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1963/1963-BC-YB.pdf|title=1963 Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook|work=Worldradiohistory|date=November 3, 2022|access-date=November 3, 2022|language=en-US}} until June 1963;{{cite news |title=Two silent FM stations may have permits revoked |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-12-16-BC.pdf#page=78 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=Broadcasting |date=December 16, 1963 |page=78}} the license for WELG, along with sister station WELF in Glen Ellyn, was revoked on March 11, 1964.{{cite news |title=Revocations |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-03-16-BC.pdf#page=101 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=Broadcasting |date=March 16, 1964 |page=101}}
WVFV was sold in early 1970 to Richard Willrett, for $45,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-04-20-BC.pdf Ownership Changes]", Broadcasting, April 20, 1970. p. 102. Retrieved July 28, 2018. In February 1972, WVFV switched to a progressive rock format.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1974/B-1-1974-YB.pdf 1974 Broadcasting Yearbook], Broadcasting, 1974. p. B-63. Retrieved July 27, 2018. In 1976, the station was sold to Ralph J. Faucher for $160,000,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-07-05-BC.pdf Ownership Changes]", Broadcasting, July 5, 1976. p. 46. Retrieved July 28, 2018. and its format was changed to adult contemporary."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands]", Chicago Tribune Magazine, March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
=WCRM=
In early 1980, the station was sold to CLW Communications, a subsidiary of AMG International, for $315,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-03-31-BC.pdf Ownership Changes]", Broadcasting, March 31, 1980. p. 82. Retrieved July 29, 2018. The station adopted a Christian contemporary format, with an evening block of Christian rock.Zorn, Eric. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/03/04/deejays-fate-was-etched-in-concrete/ Deejay`s Fate Was Etched In Concrete]", Chicago Tribune, March 04, 1985. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
On May 27, 1980, its call sign was changed to WCRM, standing for "Christian Radio Music".[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved February 9, 2019. The station's slogan was "Today's Christian Music". WCRM also sold airtime to churches and religious organizations, whose programs primarily aired late mornings. The Christian contemporary format lasted through the decade.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1989/AL-MT-M-Street-1-1989.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. 1989. p. S-97. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
=The Wabbit=
In 1989, the station was sold to Atlantic Morris Broadcasting for $1.5 million."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-02-13.pdf Ownership Changes]", Broadcasting, February 13, 1989. p. 98. Retrieved July 29, 2018.Feder, Robert. "Sirott agrees to join Ch. 5 as news anchor", Chicago Sun-Times. February 6, 1989. p. 29. On April 10, 1989, its call sign was changed to WABT, and the station adopted an album-oriented rock/classic rock hybrid format, branded "The Wabbit", with the slogan "The Northwest's Own Rock and Roll".Kening, Dan. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/11/03/talk-o-the-towns/ Talk O' The Towns]", Chicago Tribune, November 03, 1991. Retrieved July 27, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved February 9, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1991-Spring.pdf WABT FM 103.9]", Radio Chicago, Spring 1991. p. 2. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
Among the staff at the station was Cara Carriveau (who went by her maiden name Cara Stern and on air name Cara Simms at the time), who began as overnight DJ in 1989, later moving to nights and middays."[https://www.allaccess.com/on-the-beach/10-questions/archive/4321/10-questions-with-cara-carriveau 10 Questions with ... Cara Carriveau]", All Access Music Group. December 5, 2006. Retrieved July 27, 2018.[https://books.google.com/books?id=XwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78 Lifelines]", Billboard, July 16, 1994. p. 78. Retrieved July 27, 2018. In 1992, Carriveau became program director, replacing Randy McCarthy.Feder, Robert. "Channel 5 Expands News on Weekends", Chicago Sun-Times. August 12, 1992. p. 37. She remained with WABT until 1995, when she left to become program director of Shadow Broadcast Services, and was replaced by Dan Forthover.Nidetz, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/02/22/clown-king-heads-for-the-center-ring-at-medinah-temple/ Clown King Heads For The Center Ring At Medinah Temple]", Chicago Tribune, February 22, 1995. Retrieved July 27, 2018.Stark, Phyllis. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=vgsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA81 Vox Jox]", Billboard, May 6, 1995. p. 81. Retrieved July 27, 2018.Stark, Phyllis. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=2gsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 Vox Jox]", Billboard, March 4, 1995. p. 85. Retrieved July 27, 2018. In 1995, the station was sold to M & M Broadcasting, owned by former Hammond, Indiana mayor Thomas McDermott Sr., for $975,000.Mackanos, Adele L. "[https://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/wwjy-the-end-of-an-era/article_b0ec3978-df25-576b-b1ab-529c69fe9a80.html WWJY: The end of an era]", The Times of Northwest Indiana, May 25, 1996. Retrieved July 29, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/RBR-Source-1998-4.pdf Radio Business Report Source Guide and Directory], 1996. p. 1-44. Retrieved July 29, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1995-04.pdf Proposed Station Transfers]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 12 No. 17. April 26, 1995. p. 6. Retrieved July 29, 2018. The station began to be simulcast on 103.9 WWJY in Crown Point, Indiana."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1995-08.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", The M Street Journal. Vol 12 No. 31. August 2, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2018.Feder, Robert. "Radio Will Celebrate 75th Year in Chicago", Chicago Sun-Times. July 27, 1995. p. 29.
=Spanish language formats=
In 1996, the station was sold to Z-Spanish Network, along with WWJY, for $3.6 million,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1996-03.pdf Elsewhere]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 12. March 20, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved July 27, 2018."[https://books.google.com/books?id=gA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA142 Newsline]", Billboard, March 30, 1996. p. 142. Retrieved July 27, 2018. and it adopted a Spanish language format,[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1997/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1997.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997], Broadcasting & Cable, 1997. p. B-134. Retrieved July 27, 2018. airing regional Mexican music.Obejas, Achy. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/01/05/all-mexican-all-the-time/ All Mexican, All The Time]", Chicago Tribune, January 05, 2001. Retrieved July 27, 2018.Unmacht, Robert; McCrummen, Pat (1998). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1998/AL-MT-M-Street-8-1998.pdf The M-Street Radio Directory]. p. 213. Retrieved July 27, 2018. On June 7, 1996, its call sign was changed to WZCH. In 2000, Z-Spanish Network was acquired by Entravision Communications."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/30th/R&R-30-Anniversary.pdf Signs of the Times]", Radio & Records, 30th Anniversary Issue. 2003. p. 113. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
On December 29, 2000, WZCH began airing a Spanish CHR format branded "Super Estrella", as part of a simulcast with 99.9 WRZA in Park Forest, Illinois.Jacobson, Adam. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-23.pdf Entravision Exits Windy City]", Radio & Records, January 23, 2004. p. 4. Retrieved July 27, 2018.Apel, Steve; Devine, Cathy (2001-2002). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2001/AL-MT-M-Street-10-2001-2002.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. p. 186. Retrieved July 27, 2018. In May 2004, NextMedia Group purchased the station from Entravision Communications for $5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextmedia-completes-purchase-of-wzch-fm-serving-dundee-illinois-and-suburban-chicago-74188857.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210062244/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextmedia-completes-purchase-of-wzch-fm-serving-dundee-illinois-and-suburban-chicago-74188857.html|title=NextMedia Completes Purchase of WZCH-FM, Serving Dundee, Illinois and Suburban Chicago |publisher=PR Newswire |archive-date=December 10, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=dead}} By the end of the month, WZCH was stunting with television theme songs.Cox, Ted. "[https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-may-27-2004-p-45/ In the air]", Daily Herald, May 27, 2004. Section 4, Page 3. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
=Y 103.9=
On Tuesday June 1, 2004, the station adopted a rhythmic oldies format branded as "Y1039, The Beat of the Burbs", with the new call sign WWYW.Garmone, Patrick. "[https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-may-27-2004-p-199/ New Fox Valley radio station to hit airwaves]", Daily Herald, May 27, 2004. Section 1, Page 4. Retrieved July 27, 2018.Devine, Cathy (2004-2005). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2004/AL-MT-M-Street-13-2004-2005.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. p. 194. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
The following year, the station gradually reformatted as an oldies station branded as "Y103.9, The Greatest Hits of All Time".{{cite web|url=http://www.y1039.com:80/default.asp?screenBrowser=bypass |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050909005858/http://www.y1039.com:80/default.asp?screenBrowser=bypass|title=It's a "Million Dollar Jukebox Weekend" on The New Y103-9! |publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=September 9, 2005|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://y1039.com:80/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613075033/http://y1039.com:80/|title=Y103.9 - The Greatest Hits of All Time|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=June 13, 2006|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}Devine, Cathy (2006-2007). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2004/AL-MT-M-Street-13-2004-2005.pdf The Radio Book]. p. 196. Retrieved July 28, 2018. This worked to fill the void left by the format flip of WJMK from oldies to Jack-FM.
Y103.9 featured local hosts such as Jim Shea, Jeff James, Jeff Davis, Shawn Powers, Marci Beeks, Carla Coulter, and Ken Cocker.{{cite web|url=http://www.y1039.com:80/pages/33636.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101082214/http://www.y1039.com:80/pages/33636.php|title=Staff|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=November 1, 2007|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://y1039.com/pages/3156430.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201201109/http://y1039.com/pages/3156430.php|title=Carla Coulter Sundays 3pm-7pm|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=February 1, 2009|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.y1039.com:80/page.php?page_id=88 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019075229/http://www.y1039.com:80/page.php?page_id=88|title=Marci - Y1039 Afternoons|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=October 19, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}"[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/80114/jim-shea-exits-wwyw-crystal-lake-il Jim Shea Exits WWYW/Crystal Lake, IL]", All Access Music Group. August 31, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2018. Weekend programing included a Saturday night all 1970s music show with Jeff James.{{cite web|url=http://y1039.com:80/Jeff-James-10a-3pm--Saturdays-7p-Midnight/1168825 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201201115/http://y1039.com:80/Jeff-James-10a-3pm--Saturdays-7p-Midnight/1168825|title=Jeff James 10a-3pm, Saturdays 7p-Midnight|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=February 1, 2009|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}
By 2011, airtime of live and local hosts was greatly reduced, leaving only Marci Beeks at middays, and Jeff James and Carla Coulter's weekend shows as live and local.{{cite web|url=http://www.y1039.com/page.php?page_id=94 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208193250/http://www.y1039.com/page.php?page_id=94|title=Weekend Shows on Y103.9|publisher=Y103.9 |archive-date=February 8, 2012|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/3107-news-a-notes-wycc-comcast-csn-wfldwpwr-jason-schaumburg-chicago-live-drew-walker-wusn-wdrv-wkqx-much-more News & Notes: WYCC; Comcast; CSN; WFLD/WPWR; Jason Schaumburg; Chicago Live; Drew Walker; WUSN; WDRV; WKQX; Much More]", Chicagoland Radio and Media. February 13, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2018. The remainder of the schedule was filled with Tom Kent's syndicated programming. In January 2013, Marci Beeks left the station, and its weekday programming was entirely from Tom Kent's network.
=The Fox=
File:WFXF 103.9 The Fox Logo.png
On February 25, 2013, at 2:00 pm the station dropped its oldies and classic hits format, and adopted a classic rock format branded "103.9 The Fox"."[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/3124-wwyw-fm-drops-oldiesclassic-hits-rebrands-as-classic-rocker-1039-the-fox WWYW-FM Drops Oldies/Classic Hits, Rebrands As Classic Rocker '103.9 The Fox']", Chicagoland Radio and Media. February 25, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2019. The last song as Y103.9 was Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye, while the first song on 103.9 The Fox was Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix.[http://formatchange.com/wwyw-becomes-the-fox/ WWYW Becomes The Fox], Format Change Archive. Retrieved July 28, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.yourmidwestmedia.net/mainsite/formatchanges.html|title=Format Changes|publisher=Your Midwest Media|date=February 25, 2013|access-date=February 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317011411/http://www.yourmidwestmedia.net/mainsite/formatchanges.html|archive-date=March 17, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The station's call sign was changed to WFXF on March 4, 2013.
The station shared facilities with sister station WZSR in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The studios for both stations were located behind McHenry County College on U.S. Route 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockthefox.com/contact/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226164851/https://www.rockthefox.com/contact/|title=Contact|publisher=103.9 The Fox |archive-date=December 26, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2019|url-status=dead}} On-air staff included Alex Quigley,{{cite web|url=https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/quigs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226150930/https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/quigs/|title=Quigs|publisher=103.9 The Fox |archive-date=December 26, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2019|url-status=dead}} formerly of Q101, Pat Capone,{{cite web|url=https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/capone/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226101205/https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/capone/|title=Capone|publisher=103.9 The Fox |archive-date=December 26, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2019|url-status=dead}} formerly of The Loop, and Eddie Volkman, formerly of B96.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/eddie-volkman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226174144/https://www.rockthefox.com/shows/eddie-volkman/|title=Eddie Volkman|publisher=103.9 The Fox |archive-date=December 26, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2019|url-status=dead}}
In 2014, the station was sold to Matrix Broadcasting LLC.Feder, Robert. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2013/10/10/nextmedia-buyer-embraces-local-approach/ NextMedia buyer embraces local approach]", RobertFeder.com. October 10, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
In February 2019, it was announced that Alpha Media would purchase WFXF and 105.5 WZSR for $4,669,011, with WFXF to be immediately resold to Educational Media Foundation for $900,000.Jacobson, Adam. "[https://www.rbr.com/matrixs-end-chicago-area-fms-land-with-emf-alpha/ Matrix’s End: Chicago-area FMs Land With EMF, Alpha]", Radio & Television Business Report. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
In preparation for the sale, the airstaff announced their final day on The Fox would be on April 5.Venta, Lance. "[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/175846/wfxf-sets-april-8-for-flip-to-k-love/ WFXF Sets April 8 For Flip to K-Love]", Radio Insight. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019. The Fox's final promotion, an "Adult Easter Egg Hunt" at McHenry County College, was rescheduled from April 19 to April 6.Feder, Robert. "[https://www.robertfeder.com/2019/04/03/robservations-farewell-fox-rocker-finds-religion/ Robservations: It’s farewell to The Fox as rocker finds religion]", RobertFeder.com. April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
=Air1=
The station was set to flip to Educational Media Foundation's contemporary worship music network, Air1, on April 8, 2019, with new call sign WAWY already reserved. However, after the final song played on The Fox, the station was taken silent.
The station returned to the air the following week as an affiliate of Air1, airing Contemporary Worship Music from the network.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|3135|WAWY}}
{{Aurora-Elgin-Wheaton Radio}}
{{Air 1}}
{{coord|42.106|N|88.377|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL_source:FCC|display=title}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1967
Category:1967 establishments in Illinois
Category:Contemporary Christian radio stations in the United States