WUPE (AM)

WUPE (1110 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It is owned by Townsquare Media and it simulcasts the classic hits format of 100.1 WUPE-FM. WUPE serves the Berkshire Mountains area. The station is a daytimer and must sign off the air at sunset, according to Federal Communications Commission rules.

WUPE
Simulcast of WUPE-FM, North Adams
Broadcast areaBerkshire Mountains
Frequency1110 kHz
BrandingWhoopee
Programming
FormatClassic hits
AffiliationsCompass Media Networks
Premiere Networks
United Stations Radio Networks
Ownership
Owner
WBEC, WBEC-FM, WNAW, WSBS, WUPE-FM
History
First air date
September 9, 1971 (1971-09-09) (as WGRG)
Former call signs
WGRG (1971–1977)
WUPE (1977–1979)
WUHN (1979–2006)
Call sign meaning
"Whoopie"[1]
Technical information
Facility ID71436
ClassD
Power5,000 watts day
Transmitter coordinates
42°26′22″N 73°17′30″W
Translator(s)103.3 W277CJ (Pittsfield)
Links
WebcastListen live
Websitewupe.com

By day, WUPE transmits with 5,000 watts, using a directional antenna,[2] but because 1110 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for KFAB Omaha and WBT Charlotte, WUPE must be off the air at night, when radio waves travel further. Programming is also heard in Pittsfield on FM translator W277CJ at 103.3 MHz. That gives listeners three spots on the dial to hear WUPE, AM 1110, FM 100.1 and FM 103.3.

History

The station first signed on the air on September 9, 1971 (1971-09-09).[3] It was progressive rock WGRG. WGRG became Top 40 WUPE in 1977. WUPE became WUHN, playing adult standards in the early 1980s. The format was flipped to oldies in 1990, and then to country music in 1996. The WUPE call letters were restored along with the oldies format in 2006.[4]

Logo before 103.3 translator sign on

In August 2013, Gamma Broadcasting reached a deal to sell its Berkshire County radio stations, including WUPE, to Reed Miami Holdings;[5] the sale was canceled on December 30, 2013.[6] In August 2015, WUPE added an FM translator in the Pittsfield area. In October 2016, Gamma agreed to sell its stations to Galaxy Communications;[7] that sale also fell through, and in 2017 the stations were acquired by Townsquare Media.[8]

Translators
Broadcast translator for WUPE (AM)
Call signFrequencyCity of licenseERP (W)ClassFCC info
W277CJ 103.3 FMPittsfield, Massachusetts100DFMQ

References
  1. "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
  2. Radio-Locator.com/WUPE-AM
  3. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-212. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  4. "WUPE Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  5. "Western Massachusetts Cluster Sold". All Access. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  6. Venta, Lance (January 14, 2014). "Pittsfield Cluster Sale Withdrawn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  7. Venta, Lance (October 17, 2016). "Galaxy Communications Acquires Pittsfield Cluster". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  8. Venta, Lance (July 18, 2017). "Townsquare Media Acquires Six In Massachusetts". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 14, 2017.


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