WNRS (AM)

WNRS (1420 kHz) is an AM radio station broadcasting a Spanish language tropical music format. Licensed to Herkimer, New York, United States, the station serves the Utica area. Owned by Arjuna Broadcasting Corp., the station also simulcasts on translator station W252DO at 98.3 FM.[2][3]

WNRS
Broadcast areaUtica, New York
Frequency1420 kHz
BrandingEl Zorro 98.3 FM 1420 AM
Programming
FormatTropical music
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Ownership
OwnerArjuna Broadcasting Corp.
WXUR
History
First air date
  • WNRS: October 12, 1956 (1956-10-12)[1] (as WALY)
  • W252DO: December 2016 (2016-12)
Former call signs
  • WALY (1956–1979)
  • WKYZ (1979–1980)
  • WRMV (1980–1985)
  • WLIR (1985–1987)
  • WYUT (1987–1994)
Call sign meaning
"Winners" (previous format)
Technical information
Facility ID
  • WNRS: 2760
  • W252DO: 60893
ClassD (AM and FM)
Power
  • WNRS:
  • 1,000 watts day
  • 64 watts night
ERPW252DO: 250 watts
Transmitter coordinates
43°3′40″N 75°1′44″W
Translator(s)98.3 W252DO (Herkimer)
Links
Website983elzorroradio.com

The format is known as El Zorro 98.3 FM 1420 AM.[4]

History

The station went on the air as WALY in 1956,[1] often programming a full service music format. However, on occasion, it would program other formats like top 40.[5] Eventually, the station settled for beautiful music programming.[6] The station changed callsigns several times in the late 1970s and 1980s, to WKYZ in 1979, WRMV in 1980, and WLIR in 1985. On March 2, 1987, the station changed its call sign to WYUT to match its FM sister WYUT-FM, but signed off in 1991. On July 20, 1994, both WYUT and WYUT-FM returned to the air as WNRS and WXUR, respectively.[7] On June 26, 2009, Arjuna Broadcasting Corp. moved the Imus in the Morning show to WNRS from WXUR, which had just flipped to an active rock format.

On March 4, 2013, WNRS dropped its Premiere and Bloomberg affiliations and affiliated with The True Oldies Channel. Imus in the Morning was once again retained (and would continue on WNRS until the show ended on March 29, 2018).[8] When the True Oldies Channel ended in June 2014, WNRS retained its oldies format and changed its affiliation to Good Time Oldies, which had recently been launched by Westwood One.

On December 1, 2016, WNRS added an FM simulcast at 98.3, to cover areas not served by WNRS' nighttime signal.[9]

November 1, 2020, WNRS dropped its oldies format in favor of Spanish-language tropical music; such a format had never before been heard in Central New York. With the format change came new branding as "El Zorro" - the Spanish word for "Fox".[10]

References
  1. Kibbs, Tom (February 4, 1957). "WALY reception verification" (PDF). Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  2. "WNRS Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. http://fccdata.org/?facid=60893
  4. https://www.facebook.com/pg/WNRSTheFox/posts/ WNRS Facebook
  5. http://blog.backspinradio.net/2014/01/music-survey-waly-herkimer-ny-top-twenty-january-7-14-1964/
  6. "200 Years Of Herkimer County" book, published 1991 by the Herkimer County Historical Society
  7. "WNRS Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  8. Don Imus to retire March 29
  9. "CNYRadio.com on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
  10. "El Zorro Radio Latino 98.3 FM 1420 Am on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
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