WFIT
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| City of license | Melbourne, Florida |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Melbourne/Titusville/Cocoa, Florida Market |
| Slogan | Proudly Serving the Space and Treasure Coasts |
| Frequency | 89.5 MHz (also on HD Radio) |
| Format | Public radio |
| ERP | 4,700 watts |
| HAAT | 45 meters (148 feet) |
| Class | A |
| Facility ID | 65631 [1] |
| Transmitter coordinates | 28°03′51″N 80°37′25″W / 28.06417°N 80.62361°W NAD27 |
| Callsign meaning | W Florida Institute of Technology |
| Affiliations | National Public Radio |
| Owner | Florida Institute of Technology |
| Sister stations | NPR |
| Webcast | http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfit/ppr/index.shtml |
| Website | http://wfit.org/ |
WFIT (89.5 FM), is a National Public Radio member station serving the Space Coast. Programming and broadcast originate at Florida Institute of Technology's Roberts Hall in Melbourne, Florida.
History
In April 1975, Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) launched its noncommercial educational radio station, WFIT, a student-run college radio station. In the 1980s, WFIT was regarded as one of the top alternative music college radio stations in the country. Its programming included Alternative Rock, Punk Rock, Hardcore, Post-punk, New Wave, Synthpop, Classical, Jazz, Reggae, Blues and Funk. In the early 1980s the station promoted itself as "The New Music Leader."
In 1985, there were about 65 volunteers involved in running the station, of which approximately 40 percent were FIT students.[2]
In 1986, WFIT applied to the FCC to increase its transmitter power to 20,000 watts, but was denied.[3] The same year, its transmitter was stolen.[4]
In 1990 there were 80 people on staff, including 49 DJs.[5]
In March 1993 WFIT dropped its daytime alternative rock format for in favor of a contemporary jazz sound similar to that heard on WLOQ-FM (103.1) in Winter Park. The change spurred detractors to refer to the new WFIT as "Melbourne's Muzak Leader."[6] It also began programming public radio news shows, as well as a variety of other culturally diverse music and educational programs. This same year, the station was interconnected with the public radio satellite system, and two years later, WFIT became an affiliate of National Public Radio.
In 1998 an FCC approved power increase to 8 kilowatts extended the station’s signal to include more Brevard County listeners, reaching north to Cocoa and Cocoa Beach, as well as south to Vero Beach in Indian River County. Automated equipment has enabled the station to broadcast twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, maximizing the range of audiences served. The station also broadcasts to a national and international audience through audio-streaming on the web-www.wfit.org. WFIT upgraded its transmitter in 2004 and became the first radio station in Brevard County to broadcast in HD Radio. WFIT's programming is also streamed worldwide via the web at wfit.org.
Programming
WFIT's current daytime programming is a mix of “Triple A” (Adult Album Alternative) music. WFIT broadcasts a wide mix of programs including Folk and Bluegrass, Celtic Tapestry, Sancocho Latino, Rumba Jazz, The Parent’s Journal, Tech Nation, On Point and American Variety.
WFIT's evening and weekend programming includes a blend of Blues, Folk, Classical, Straight Ahead Jazz, Roots Reggae, Celtic, New Age, World Beat, science and education, and community affairs.
WFIT was interconnected with the Public Radio satellite system in 1993. In response to changing demographics, WFIT changed its format to Smooth Jazz and became a National Public Radio affiliate in 1995.
Community Involvement
WFIT's D.J.s are community volunteers. WFIT sponsors concerts throughout the community featuring both local musicians and national acts.
WFIT is funded in part by individual memberships, corporate underwriting, state and local grants, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Florida Institute of Technology.
References
- ↑ FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA
- ↑ "Tired of Top 40? WFIT Plays Role of Alternative to Pop". The Orlando Sentinel. 11 April 1985.
- ↑ "Station's Expansion Plan Hits Static - WFIT Denied Chance to Increase Wattage". The Orlando Sentinel. 14 December 1986.
- ↑ Duffy, Tom (11 August 1986). "WFIT Back On Air After Recent Theft". The Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ Caporale, Patricia (25 January 1990). "Director Keeps WFIT Among Best in Nation". The Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ Hinman, Catherine (26 June 1993). "Radi Waves". The Orlando Sentinel.
External links
- WFIT official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WFIT
- Radio-Locator information on WFIT
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