WWFD Radio: From AM Roots to All-Digital Innovation
The evolution of the radio station known as WWFD (now WSHE) serves as a fascinating case study in the transition of American broadcasting. From its beginnings as a daytime-only AM station in the early 1960s to becoming a pioneer in all-digital broadcasting, the station has mirrored the broader shifts in how we consume audio media.
Key Facts
- Founded: May 1961 as WMHI (1370 AM).
- Current Call Sign: WSHE (changed from WWFD on June 6, 2024).
- Pioneering Status: One of the first AM stations in North America to experiment with multiplexed digital signals.
- Current Format: Associated with The Gamut, an eclectic music format.
- Ownership: Currently owned by Hubbard Broadcasting.
Early History and Format Shifts (1961–1995)
The station first signed on in May 1961 as WMHI on 1370 AM, operating as a "daytimer" (a station permitted to broadcast only during daylight hours). By 1975, it transitioned into a Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) outlet known as "14ZYQ," later rebranding as "Z104" to emphasize its simulcast with WZYQ-FM 103.9.
A significant technical shift occurred in 1986 when the station received permission to move to 820 AM and begin nighttime operations. By 1988, the simulcast ended, and 820 AM became "The Big Q" (WQSI), focusing on country music and broadcasting Frederick Keys baseball games.
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Corporate Transitions and the WTOP Era
In 1995, Liberty Broadcasting acquired the station to pair WZYQ with WXTR-FM 104.1, filling coverage gaps in the northwestern Washington metropolitan area. This ownership was short-lived, as Bonneville International purchased the cluster the following year. Bonneville revived the "Z104" brand on the FM side while maintaining country music on 820 AM.
The turn of the millennium brought further changes. Starting in 2000, Bonneville used 820 AM to extend the reach of other Washington-market stations. On December 18, 2000, it began simulcasting WTOP (1500 AM). The station's identity continued to shift, serving as a home for Washington Post Radio and later Talk Radio 3WT (under call signs WTWT and WWWB) until 2008.
The Rise of The Gamut and Digital Experimentation
The Gamut began as an eclectic hobby project by WTOP-FM engineer Dave Kolesar. After gaining management interest, it launched on the HD3 subchannel of WTOP-FM on December 5, 2011. WWFD became the format's first analog home on March 20, 2013.
To expand its reach, the station utilized various FM translators—small low-power stations that rebroadcast a primary signal. These included W282BA (later W283CD) and W252DC. By 2017, Hubbard Broadcasting (which had acquired the cluster in 2011) added translator W232DG in Frederick to comply with FCC AM revitalization rules.
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The Leap to All-Digital Broadcasting
Recognizing that growing an audience via analog AM was no longer viable, Hubbard applied for experimental authorization to convert to all-digital HD Radio broadcasts on June 30, 2018. On July 16, 2018, WWFD shut off its analog signal at noon.
In partnership with Xperi, the developer of HD Radio, WWFD became a testing ground for new operating modes. In December 2019, it successfully experimented with a multiplexed signal—a first for an AM station in North America. Following FCC approval for nationwide voluntary all-digital AM operation in 2020, Hubbard officially made WWFD permanently all-digital on August 10, 2023.
On June 6, 2024, the station's call sign was changed to WSHE, coinciding with a call sign change for its sister station in Chicago.
Station Evolution Summary
| Era/Year | Call Sign | Primary Format/Role | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | WMHI | Daytimer | Analog AM (1370) |
| 1975–1988 | WZYQ | CHR ("14ZYQ" / "Z104") | Analog AM |
| 1988 | WQSI | Country ("The Big Q") | Analog AM (820) |
| 2000–2008 | WXTR/WTWT/WWWB | WTOP / Washington Post Radio | Analog AM |
| 2013–2018 | WWFD | The Gamut | Analog AM / FM Translators |
| 2018–2024 | WWFD | The Gamut / HD Radio Testing | All-Digital AM |
| 2024–Present | WSHE | The Gamut | All-Digital AM |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "The Gamut"?
The Gamut is an eclectic music format that started as a hobby project by engineer Dave Kolesar before being adopted by WTOP management and broadcast via HD Radio and AM signals.
Why did WWFD switch to all-digital broadcasting?
The transition was driven by the fact that growing an audience through traditional analog AM was no longer viable. Digital broadcasting offered a larger listenable coverage area and allowed for the testing of new features like multiplexed signals.
What happened to the analog signal in Frederick?
To preserve analog coverage for the city of license, Hubbard used translator W232DG. This translator was sold to Manning Broadcasting in September 2023 after the legal requirement to rebroadcast WWFD expired.
Who currently owns the station?
The station is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, which acquired the Washington cluster from Bonneville International in 2011.
What is the current call sign of the station?
As of June 6, 2024, the station's call sign is WSHE.