WCIR-FM (103.7
MHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...
) is a
contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio (also known as CHR, contemporary hits, hit list, current hits, hit music, top 40, or pop radio) is a radio format that is common in many countries that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by ...
formatted
broadcast
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum ( radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...
radio station
Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio ...
licensed to
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in and the county seat of Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. It was founded on April 4, 1838. This city is the home of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology or West Virginia University, Beckley Campus.
...
, United States, serving Southern West Virginia. WCIR-FM is owned and operated by Southern Communications.
Coverage area
The station has an
effective radiated power
Effective radiated power (ERP), synonymous with equivalent radiated power, is an IEEE standardized definition of directional radio frequency (RF) power, such as that emitted by a radio transmitter. It is the total power in watts that would hav ...
of 5,000
watt
The watt (symbol: W) is the unit of power or radiant flux in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1 joule per second or 1 kg⋅m2⋅s−3. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The watt is named after James Wa ...
s, but the
height above average terrain
Height above average terrain (HAAT), or (less popularly) effective height above average terrain (EHAAT), is the vertical position of an antenna site is above the surrounding landscape. HAAT is used extensively in FM radio and television, as it is ...
of the station is 452 meters (1484 feet), meaning the station broadcasts farther than a typical 5,000 watt radio station that broadcasts at normal height. As a result, the station can be heard as far as
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and List of cities in West Virginia, most populous city of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk River (West Virginia), Elk and Kanawha River, Kanawha rivers, the city had a population of 48,864 at the 20 ...
.
History
WCIR-FM was named after WCIR-AM (Now
WBKW
WBKW (1070 AM) is an alternative rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Beckley, West Virginia, serving Beckley and Oak Hill in West Virginia. WBKW is owned and operated by Southern Communications.
History
First signed on in Jan ...
) in 1971. WCIR-AM was a former
Christian Contemporary
Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...
radio station, hence the Christianity In Radio call letter meaning. The station is owned by Southern Communications. The radio station was a religious format until 1976, when it was changed to top 40 and known as ''The New 103 CIR''. When the station flipped formats, announcers were Shane "Southern" Randall in mornings, Danny Robins in middays, Robert "Bob" Cannon in afternoons, Andy "Jack Daniels" Ridenour in nights and Jacque Bailey doing overnights. The station reached #1 status for quite a few years with this format.
External links
103 CIR Online*
CIR-FM
Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1971
1971 establishments in West Virginia
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