WITF-FM
Encyclopedia
WITF-FM is a public radio station
based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
, located on the FM dial
at 89.5 MHz. Since its debut on April 1, 1971, it has aired classical music and NPR
news throughout central Pennsylvania
, including the Susquehanna Valley, which includes Harrisburg
Lancaster
, Lebanon
and York
. It is a sister station to the area's PBS
member station, WITF-TV
. Both stations are based at the WITF Public Media Center in Swatara Township
.
WITF operates at 5,900 watts ERP
, which is fairly low for an NPR station. This may be due to the crowded state of the noncommercial end of the FM band in this part of the country, as well as the need to protect WAMU
in Washington, D.C.
at nearby 88.5. To make up for the shortfall in coverage, the station's programming can also be heard on low-powered translator W260CC at 99.9 FM in Lancaster.
WITF-FM is a dual-format station, presenting both news
and classical music
during the day and programming with an affinity toward either audience, or both, each weekend. Highlights of the broadcast schedule include:
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
, located on the FM dial
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
at 89.5 MHz. Since its debut on April 1, 1971, it has aired classical music and NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
news throughout central Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, including the Susquehanna Valley, which includes Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, Lebanon
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,477 at the 2010 census, a 4.2% increase from the 2000 count of 24,461...
and York
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
. It is a sister station to the area's PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
member station, WITF-TV
WITF-TV
WITF-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station available on digital channel 36 , based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. WITF broadcasts throughout the Susquehanna Valley viewing area, and is a sister station to the area's NPR member station, WITF-FM...
. Both stations are based at the WITF Public Media Center in Swatara Township
Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Swatara Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 22,611 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.8 square miles , of which, 13.2 square miles of it is land and...
.
WITF operates at 5,900 watts ERP
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
, which is fairly low for an NPR station. This may be due to the crowded state of the noncommercial end of the FM band in this part of the country, as well as the need to protect WAMU
WAMU
WAMU is a public radio station that services the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The station broadcasts on 88.5 FM, online at wamu.org, and on HD Radio at 88.5-HD1, 2 and 3. WAMU is on-air 24 hours a day. It is licensed to American University, and its studios are located near the campus...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
at nearby 88.5. To make up for the shortfall in coverage, the station's programming can also be heard on low-powered translator W260CC at 99.9 FM in Lancaster.
WITF-FM is a dual-format station, presenting both news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
and classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
during the day and programming with an affinity toward either audience, or both, each weekend. Highlights of the broadcast schedule include:
- NPR's Morning EditionMorning EditionMorning Edition is an American radio news program produced and distributed by National Public Radio . It airs weekday mornings and runs for two hours, and many stations repeat one or both hours. The show feeds live from 05:00 to 09:00 ET, with feeds and updates as required until noon...
, weekdays, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., featuring local host Craig Layne. - Radio Smart Talk, a local call-in show that presents current issues from a local perspective, weekdays, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and weeknights, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.,hosted by Scott LaMar.
- Classical Air (locally selected and presented classical music), weekdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring local hosts Cary Burkett and Joe Ulrich.
- NPR's Fresh AirFresh AirFresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
, weekdays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. - NPR's All Things ConsideredAll Things ConsideredAll Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
, weekdays, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., featuring local host Tim Lambert. - MarketplaceMarketplace (radio program)Marketplace is a radio program that focuses on business, the economy, and events that influence them. Hosted by Kai Ryssdal, the show is produced and distributed by American Public Media, in association with the University of Southern California...
, produced by American Public Media, weekdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.