WNYW (shortwave)
Encyclopedia
WNYW was a shortwave
radio station that broadcasted from Scituate, Massachusetts
, in the United States
. On October 20, 1973, Family Stations, Inc., acquired the station to be part of its Family Radio
network and changed the call letters to WYFR
. Family Stations eventually progressively moved the transmitters to their current site in Okeechobee, Florida
. The transmitter
site in Scituate continued to operate until November 16, 1979 when it was switched off for the last time.
Four days after Britain and France declared war on Germany, on September 7, 1939, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) assigned call letters WRUL (for World Radio University Listeners)to the station. British Security Coordination
, a covert organization that by the British
Secret Intelligence Service
established in New York City
, operated the broadcast service.http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1852221,00.html From 1939 to 1942, WRUL broadcasted radio lectures to Europe and South America in eight languages, and also in the United States over an informal network of over 300 stations, including WNYC
in New York City. Like all United States shortwave stations, in November 1942 the U.S. government leased WRUL for further wartime propaganda broadcasts. WRUL was allowed to resume partial independent programming in 1947, and full independent programming in 1954.
Metromedia
bought the station in 1960. In June 1962, International Educational Broadcasting Corporation (now Bonneville International
), owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, bought WRUL. The station adopted the slogan "Radio New York Worldwide" and switched to an adult contemporary format, with ABC Radio or CBS Radio
hourly newscasts and half-hour newscasts from its sister station, WRFM
. There were rumors that the station was being partially controlled by the Central Intelligence Agency
to broadcast anti-communist propaganda
.
On June 1, 1966, WRUL changed its call letters to WNYW, which stood for Radio New York Worldwide. The station attempted to do some commercial programming, but there were few advertisers because it was difficult to estimate audience ratings for the wide geographical area that shortwave stations typically covered.
In 1970, Bonneville offered to sell the station to the U.S. government for a token payment of one dollar, for use by the Voice of America
, but no sale materialized.
In 1974 the Bonneville sold WNYW. The callsign was assigned to a Fox Broadcasting Company
station, WNYW
(formerly Metromedia
station WNEW-TV and DuMont Television Network
station WABD), in New York City.
Shortwave
Shortwave radio refers to the upper MF and all of the HF portion of the radio spectrum, between 1,800–30,000 kHz. Shortwave radio received its name because the wavelengths in this band are shorter than 200 m which marked the original upper limit of the medium frequency band first used...
radio station that broadcasted from Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate is a seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, on the South Shore, midway between Boston and Plymouth. The population was 18,133 at the 2010 census....
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. On October 20, 1973, Family Stations, Inc., acquired the station to be part of its Family Radio
Family Radio
Family Radio, also known by its licensee name Family Stations Inc., is a Christian radio network based in Oakland, California, USA, founded by Lloyd Lindquist, Richard H. Palmquist and Harold Camping...
network and changed the call letters to WYFR
WYFR
WYFR is a shortwave radio station located in Okeechobee, Florida, United States. The station is owned by Family Stations, Inc., as part of the Family Radio network, and broadcasts traditional Christian radio programming to international audiences....
. Family Stations eventually progressively moved the transmitters to their current site in Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee is a city in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,376 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,784. It is the county seat of Okeechobee County. The Speckled Perch Festival is held annually in honor of the most...
. The transmitter
Transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications a transmitter or radio transmitter is an electronic device which, with the aid of an antenna, produces radio waves. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating...
site in Scituate continued to operate until November 16, 1979 when it was switched off for the last time.
History
In 1931, Walter Lemmon, a radio inventor, began experimental shortwave station W1XAL in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1935, the station began transmitting non-commercial, educational, and cultural programs.Four days after Britain and France declared war on Germany, on September 7, 1939, the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) assigned call letters WRUL (for World Radio University Listeners)to the station. British Security Coordination
British Security Coordination
British Security Coordination was a covert organization set up in New York City by the British Secret Intelligence Service in May 1940 upon the authorization of Winston Churchill.-Operation:...
, a covert organization that by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Secret Intelligence Service
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
established in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, operated the broadcast service.http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1852221,00.html From 1939 to 1942, WRUL broadcasted radio lectures to Europe and South America in eight languages, and also in the United States over an informal network of over 300 stations, including WNYC
WNYC
WNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
in New York City. Like all United States shortwave stations, in November 1942 the U.S. government leased WRUL for further wartime propaganda broadcasts. WRUL was allowed to resume partial independent programming in 1947, and full independent programming in 1954.
Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
bought the station in 1960. In June 1962, International Educational Broadcasting Corporation (now Bonneville International
Bonneville International
Bonneville International Corporation is a broadcasting company wholly owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its for-profit arm, Deseret Management Corporation...
), owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, bought WRUL. The station adopted the slogan "Radio New York Worldwide" and switched to an adult contemporary format, with ABC Radio or CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
hourly newscasts and half-hour newscasts from its sister station, WRFM
WWPR-FM
WWPR-FM, also known as "Power 105.1", is an urban contemporary radio station that features hip hop and R&B licensed to New York City that serves the Greater New York area....
. There were rumors that the station was being partially controlled by the Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
to broadcast anti-communist propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
.
On June 1, 1966, WRUL changed its call letters to WNYW, which stood for Radio New York Worldwide. The station attempted to do some commercial programming, but there were few advertisers because it was difficult to estimate audience ratings for the wide geographical area that shortwave stations typically covered.
In 1970, Bonneville offered to sell the station to the U.S. government for a token payment of one dollar, for use by the Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
, but no sale materialized.
In 1974 the Bonneville sold WNYW. The callsign was assigned to a Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
station, WNYW
WNYW
WNYW, virtual channel 5 , is the flagship television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. The station's transmitter is atop the Empire State Building and its studio facilities are located in the Yorkville section of Manhattan...
(formerly Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
station WNEW-TV and DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
station WABD), in New York City.