WNMT
Encyclopedia
WNMT is a talk radio
station in Hibbing, Minnesota
that broadcasts over the preassigned frequency of 650 AM. Currently WNMT is owned by Midwest Communications
. Midwest also owns six radio stations on the Iron Range
; KMFG
, WMFG
, WMFG-FM
, WNMT, WTBX, WUSZ
. All six stations share the same studio location at 807 W. 37th Street, Hibbing.
WNMT broadcasts a typical AM station pattern during the day which gives it good coverage over most of Northeastern Minnesota. However at nighttime, the station broadcasts a directional pattern from five towers which makes it difficult to receive south of the immediate Iron Range
. This is done to protect signals to the south broadcasting on the same frequency; particularly clear-channel station WSM
in Nashville
, Tennessee
.
the previous night, June 5, 1968.
The former WNMT station broadcast from dawn to dusk nearly every day, and broadcast a variety of family-oriented programming. The owner and operator was an elderly (now deceased) gentleman, surname Watkins, (date of birth unknown).
Before changing its call letter to WNMT, 650 AM Hibbing was WKKQ. WKKQ signed on the air on June 1, 1975 at 1060 AM with a clear channel daytime-only signal. The station was variously known as "The Super Q" and "Clear Channel Country". The first song played was John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". The station signed off at sunset with a special arrangement of "Happy Trails to You" ending with "Happy trails to you from WKKQ". WKKQ was affiliated with the United Press Radio news and provided strong local news and community calendars to compete with Hibbing's pioneer station WMFG. The station moved to 650 AM in the mid-1980s and was allowed to broadcast on reduced power from sunset to sunrise. The move coincided with a switch to ABC Radio and WKKQ took Paul Harvey from WMFG. In the early 1990s, the format changed to talk radio and changed call letters to the current WNMT.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
station in Hibbing, Minnesota
Hibbing, Minnesota
Hibbing is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 16,361 at the 2010 census. The city was built on the rich iron ore of the Mesabi Iron Range. At the edge of town is the largest open-pit iron mine in the world. U.S...
that broadcasts over the preassigned frequency of 650 AM. Currently WNMT is owned by Midwest Communications
Midwest Communications
Midwest Communications, Inc. consists of Midwest Communications, Inc. and WRIG, Inc., which collectively own forty-six radio stations. The Company got its start in Wausau, Wisconsin, with WRIG, Inc. and the acquisition by the D.E. Wright family of a 1400 kHz, 250 watt AM facility from the...
. Midwest also owns six radio stations on the Iron Range
Iron Range
The Iron Range is a region that makes up the northeastern section of Minnesota in the United States. "The Range", as it is known by locals, is a region with multiple distinct bands of iron ore...
; KMFG
KMFG
KMFG is a radio station broadcasting a Classic rock format. Licensed to Nashwauk, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the Iron Range area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications, and features programing from ABC Radio and Jones Radio Network.Midwest also owns five other radio...
, WMFG
WMFG (AM)
WMFG is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards format. Licensed to Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the Iron Range area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications and features programing from Westwood One and Dial Global.Midwest also owns six radio stations on...
, WMFG-FM
WMFG-FM
WMFG-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits format. Licensed to Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the Hibbing area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications, and features programing from Classic Hits Radio ....
, WNMT, WTBX, WUSZ
WUSZ
WUSZ "Radio USA" is a U.S. radio station in Hibbing, Minnesota, serving the Iron Range region. The station airs Country Music, and is owned by Midwest Communications....
. All six stations share the same studio location at 807 W. 37th Street, Hibbing.
WNMT broadcasts a typical AM station pattern during the day which gives it good coverage over most of Northeastern Minnesota. However at nighttime, the station broadcasts a directional pattern from five towers which makes it difficult to receive south of the immediate Iron Range
Iron Range
The Iron Range is a region that makes up the northeastern section of Minnesota in the United States. "The Range", as it is known by locals, is a region with multiple distinct bands of iron ore...
. This is done to protect signals to the south broadcasting on the same frequency; particularly clear-channel station WSM
WSM (AM)
WSM is the callsign of a 50,000 watt AM radio station located in Nashville, Tennessee. Operating at 650 kHz, its clear channel signal can reach much of North America and various countries, especially late at night...
in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
.
History
The initial broadcast over WNMT-AM is thought to have been that of the assassination of Presidential contender Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
the previous night, June 5, 1968.
The former WNMT station broadcast from dawn to dusk nearly every day, and broadcast a variety of family-oriented programming. The owner and operator was an elderly (now deceased) gentleman, surname Watkins, (date of birth unknown).
Before changing its call letter to WNMT, 650 AM Hibbing was WKKQ. WKKQ signed on the air on June 1, 1975 at 1060 AM with a clear channel daytime-only signal. The station was variously known as "The Super Q" and "Clear Channel Country". The first song played was John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". The station signed off at sunset with a special arrangement of "Happy Trails to You" ending with "Happy trails to you from WKKQ". WKKQ was affiliated with the United Press Radio news and provided strong local news and community calendars to compete with Hibbing's pioneer station WMFG. The station moved to 650 AM in the mid-1980s and was allowed to broadcast on reduced power from sunset to sunrise. The move coincided with a switch to ABC Radio and WKKQ took Paul Harvey from WMFG. In the early 1990s, the format changed to talk radio and changed call letters to the current WNMT.