Oldies: Upbeat Oldies
with an emphasis on black oldies
Transmitter Location:
Ruffner Mtn.
Power (ERP):
1.4 kW.
Antenna:
Omnidirectional
Antenna HAAT:
672 feet.
Other Information:
Stereo
How's the Signal?
Signal is excellent
over Roebuck and Irondale. Signal is good to poor over most all of Jefferson
and Shelby counties. Signal weakens more west of downtown Birmingham
but can be received sucessfully in such places as Concord, Calera, Montevallo
and Vincent.
Wow! The legendary WENN is back on the air
now and the sound quality is very good. The sparkling high frequencies
associated with the scourge of Musicam is rarely, if ever audible. It may
just be my remote listening post, but there is a noticeable "squeal" during
very quiet passages; it's like there's some interference in a studio-transmitter
links, or like another station is interfering with WENN itself. Hey I'm
not a technician, just a listener. Otherwise, the sound is excellent.
History:
105.9 FM: Originally
started as a local station for Trussville, playing a satellite oldies format.
That actually may have been a diversion until a real format could get up
and going, however. In the early 90's became WWBR (The Bear) and played
hard rock and heavy metal type music. Later evolved into WRAX, 106 X, an
alternative rock station. The signal has always been a hinderance to ratings,
so Dick Broadcasting, who operated 106 X for American General Media, bought
WENN 107.7 FM and switched it with WRAX. The format of WENN at the time
(black contemporary) went to 105.9, but didn't last long. The station fell
silent, but recently came back on the air as WENN, Jammin' Oldies. WRAX,
with it's new big signal at 107.7 now does quite well in the ratings. Jammin'
Oldies, although not a big ratings sucess so far, seems to be doing well
with the tiny singal that covers the east side of Birmingham.
