WPYT
Encyclopedia
WAMO is a radio station
serving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
market. The station, which is was purchased by Martz Communications Group
(through its Radio Power subsidiary) from Langer Broadcasting
in December 2010, broadcasts on 660 kHz on the AM
dial with a power of 1,400 watts, daytime only (to protect the nighttime signal of WFAN
-AM 660 The Fan in New York City
on the same frequency), and is licensed to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
.
The station had operated Langer's "National Radio Network" programming lineup, but that network ceased operations in March 2010 and its current format is unknown. Martz planned to put a Urban
/Urban AC format on the station, returning this programming to the Pittsburgh market for the first time since WAMO and WAMO-FM were sold to Catholic broadcasters in 2009. On May 21, 2011, WPYT and translator W261AX (100.1 FM
) signed on with the promised mainstream urban
format. On June 3, 2011, the station changed its call sign to WAMO. This incarnation of WAMO has some Rhythmic pop tracks (such as David Guetta
's "Without You
", Sean Paul
's "Got 2 Luv U
" and Dev
's "In The Dark
") mixed in with regular Urban material.
, Pennsylvania
, halfway between Johnstown
and Altoona
.
This station began as WRML, and had operated as a daytime-only station for much of its history since signing on back in the early 1960s. Through the years and format and callsign changes, (usually between country and oldies) it finally received nighttime power authorization in the early 90's, allowing it to operate at night with a limited power of 88 watts. Though successful financially in its earlier years, the station and its FM sister, then known as WZGO, experienced a sharp decline in the mid 80's, as did the local economy, in part due to the collapse of the region's rich steel-producing and coal-mining industries.
Under FCC rules which permit a station owner to move a daytime-only station and change its frequency, the station was relocated to the Pittsburgh area with a new frequency and city of around 2004.
On 660, the station first signed on with the call letters WCIX. On 1470, it had previously been known as WRML, WWML, WHYM, WZGO, and WFJY (its final calls before the move).
(Nickname: "Tim Steele behind the wheel")
9AM-2PM: Tracy Lee
(Used to be at the former WAMO and WLTJ
at night)
2-7 PM: Mike Jackson
(Nickname: "The Mayor Mike Jak")
7PM-time Unknown: J Styles
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...
serving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
market. The station, which is was purchased by Martz Communications Group
Martz Communications Group
Martz Communications Group is an American radio broadcasting company, which operates three radio stations in the St. Lawrence River area of New York; one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and two in Detroit, Michigan...
(through its Radio Power subsidiary) from Langer Broadcasting
National Radio Network (USA)
National Radio Network is a defunct commercial radio network in United States. It is owned and operated by Langer Broadcasting, which is located in Framingham, Massachusetts, and was operated from flagship station WSRO...
in December 2010, broadcasts on 660 kHz on the AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
dial with a power of 1,400 watts, daytime only (to protect the nighttime signal of WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
-AM 660 The Fan 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...
on the same frequency), and is licensed to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Wilkinsburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States adjacent to the city of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,930 at the 2010 census, having lost more than 13,000 in the 70 years since 1940, when 29,853 people were enumerated...
.
The station had operated Langer's "National Radio Network" programming lineup, but that network ceased operations in March 2010 and its current format is unknown. Martz planned to put a Urban
Mainstream Urban
Mainstream Urban is a term used to describe a radio format similar to an Urban Contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to two factors: playlist composition and target demographic...
/Urban AC format on the station, returning this programming to the Pittsburgh market for the first time since WAMO and WAMO-FM were sold to Catholic broadcasters in 2009. On May 21, 2011, WPYT and translator W261AX (100.1 FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
) signed on with the promised mainstream urban
Mainstream Urban
Mainstream Urban is a term used to describe a radio format similar to an Urban Contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to two factors: playlist composition and target demographic...
format. On June 3, 2011, the station changed its call sign to WAMO. This incarnation of WAMO has some Rhythmic pop tracks (such as David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
's "Without You
Without You (David Guetta song)
"Without You" is a song by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from American recording artist Usher. It was released as the third single from Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing but the Beat on October 21, 2011 as a digital download...
", Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
's "Got 2 Luv U
Got 2 Luv U
"Got 2 Luv U" is a song performed by Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul, taken from his upcoming fifth studio album. The song features vocals from American singer Alexis Jordan. It was released on the July 19, 2011 by Atlantic Records...
" and Dev
Dev (singer)
Devin Star Tailes , better known by her stage name Dev, is an American singer. She was discovered by The Cataracs via MySpace after her friend Shane Crislip, posted her singing to some beats...
's "In The Dark
In the Dark (Dev song)
"In the Dark" is a song performed by American recording artist Dev. It was written by Dev alongside The Cataracs, who produced it for Dev's debut studio album, The Night the Sun Came Up . The song was released as the album's second single on April 25, 2011, through Universal Republic...
") mixed in with regular Urban material.
History: Beginnings at AM 1470 in Cambria County
The station was originally on 1470 kHz, and licensed to PortagePortage, Pennsylvania
Portage is a borough within Portage Township in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Ebensburg and west-southwest of Altoona. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. Coal mining was the lifeblood of Portage. In 1900, 816 people lived there, and in 1910,...
, 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...
, halfway between Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
and Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
.
This station began as WRML, and had operated as a daytime-only station for much of its history since signing on back in the early 1960s. Through the years and format and callsign changes, (usually between country and oldies) it finally received nighttime power authorization in the early 90's, allowing it to operate at night with a limited power of 88 watts. Though successful financially in its earlier years, the station and its FM sister, then known as WZGO, experienced a sharp decline in the mid 80's, as did the local economy, in part due to the collapse of the region's rich steel-producing and coal-mining industries.
Under FCC rules which permit a station owner to move a daytime-only station and change its frequency, the station was relocated to the Pittsburgh area with a new frequency and city of around 2004.
On 660, the station first signed on with the call letters WCIX. On 1470, it had previously been known as WRML, WWML, WHYM, WZGO, and WFJY (its final calls before the move).
On air staff
6-9 AM: Tim Steele(Nickname: "Tim Steele behind the wheel")
9AM-2PM: Tracy Lee
(Used to be at the former WAMO and WLTJ
WLTJ
WLTJ , is an Hot Adult Contemporary music format radio station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The station, which is owned by Steel City Media, broadcasts with an ERP of 43 kW. Its transmitter is located in Pittsburgh.- History :...
at night)
2-7 PM: Mike Jackson
(Nickname: "The Mayor Mike Jak")
7PM-time Unknown: J Styles