WPJK

WPJK (1580 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to Orangeburg, South Carolina. It airs a sports radio format and is owned by South Carolina State University, a historically black institution.[2] While the university is a non-profit organization, WPJK is a commercial radio station. It largely airs programming from ESPN Radio, with some South Carolina-based sports shows.

WPJK
Frequency1580 kHz
BrandingESPN Orangeburg
Programming
FormatSports
AffiliationsESPN Radio
Ownership
OwnerSouth Carolina State University
History
First air date
November 3, 1958 (1958-11-03) (as WBPD)
Former call signs
WBPD (1959-1961)
WORG (1961-1985)
WBLO (1985-1986)[1]
Technical information
Facility ID6447
ClassD
Power3,300 watts days
22 watts nights
Transmitter coordinates
33°28′43″N 80°52′46″W
Translator(s)92.9 W225DB (Orangeburg)
Links
WebcastListen live
Websiteespnorangeburg.com

By day, WPJK is powered at 3,300 watts. But because 1580 AM is a Canadian clear channel frequency, WPJK must greatly reduce power at night to 22 watts to avoid interference to other stations.[3] Programming is also heard on 250-watt FM translator W224DB at 92.9 MHz.[4]

History

The station signed on the air on November 3, 1958 (1958-11-03).[5] Its original call sign was WBPD and it was a daytimer station, required to go off the air each night. The station was a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System. During the 1960s and 70s, it was a Top 40 station.

The call letters were changed to WORG on May 14, 1984. On September 9, 1985 the station changed its call sign to WBLO, and on February 17, 1986 to the current WPJK.[1]

On April 8, 2017, an application was filed for a construction permit to move to a new transmitter site, increase day power to 3,300 watts and add night authorization of 22 watts. The application was accepted for filing on April 18, 2017.[6]

On April 17, 2017, WPJK filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to transfer the license from Ermma Barton Gowdy to South Carolina State University.[7] The purchase by South Carolina State was consummated on August 19, 2017.

On September 12, 2021, WPJK relaunched as "ESPN Orangeburg" with programming from ESPN Radio, and partially simulcasting some local sports programming from WQXL 1470 AM in Columbia.[8]


References
  1. "Call Sign History". Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  2. "WPJK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. Radio-Locator.com/WJPK
  4. Radio-Locator.com/W224DB
  5. Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-169. Retrieved October 21, 2023
  6. Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station - Federal Communications Commission
  7. Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License - Federal Communications Commission
  8. South Carolina State University Launches ESPN Orangeburg RadioInsight - September 13, 2021
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