WFLI (AM)

WFLI (1070 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting an oldies radio format. Licensed to Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, the station serves the Chattanooga metropolitan area. WFLI is owned by Tri-State Radio, Inc.

WFLI
CityLookout Mountain, Tennessee
Broadcast areaChattanooga metropolitan area
Frequency1070 kHz
BrandingThe Big Jet FLI
Programming
FormatOldies
Ownership
OwnerTri-State Radio[1]
(Tri-State Radio Inc.)
WKWN, WJTW
History
First air date
February 20, 1961[2]
Technical information
Facility ID72061
ClassB
Power50,000 watts days
2,500 watts nights
Transmitter coordinates
35°02′42.00″N 85°21′44.00″W
Translator(s)97.7 W249BR (Lookout Mountain)
100.3 W262DQ (Hixson)
Links
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteWFLI Online

By day, WFLI broadcasts at 50,000 watts, the maximum for commercial AM stations in the U.S. But 1070 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for KNX Los Angeles. So WFLI must reduce power at night to 2,500 watts to avoid interference. It uses a directional antenna at all times.[3] Programming is also heard on 250 watt FM translator W249BR at 97.7 MHz.[4]

History

On February 20, 1961, WFLI signed on with 10,000 watts. As at Top 40 station, it competed with the other AM radio stations in the Chattanooga market such as WDXB and WOGA (later WMOC) for the young adult market. The station's power was boosted to 50,000 watts in 1967.

From 1961 to 1980, WFLI was a popular contemporary hits station in the Chattanooga area. It was nicknamed "Jet Fli". The station also held two concerts each year called "WFLI Jet-Fli Spectaculars". These concerts attracted large crowds to Memorial Auditorium. The WFLI Light in the Sky projected a spotlight in the sky, attracting listeners to businesses and events.

By 1979, FM was becoming popular and the new WSKZ (KZ-106) captured most of WFLI's audience. After a two-year switch to a country music format, WFLI switched to a religious format in 1982, branding itself as "The Mid South's Most Powerful AM Gospel Station" with a Southern gospel music format in its later years.[5]

WFLI signed off the air on March 31, 2017, but returned to the air under new management with a talk format in May 2017.[6] On July 10, 2017, a one-day-only 1960s–1970s oldies format honored the station's heritage. It switched back to a talk format by July 11, airing the syndicated programs of Laura Ingraham, Dave Ramsey, Todd Starnes, Eric Metaxas and morning duo Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey.[7]

On April 23, 2018, the station returned to a 1960s and 1970s oldies music format featuring live and local D.J.s. WFLI also features locally-produced programming such as the "Daily Downbeat" show, produced and hosted by former WFLI alum, Ben Cagle, which often has guest appearances from former WFLI alums such as Johnny Eagle, Ringo Van, David Carroll, and other notable or retired broadcasters from the station's original 'JET FLI' era of the 1960s and 70s.[8]

WFLI is the flagship station for UTC Chattanooga Mocs athletics, carrying University of Tennessee Chattanooga football and basketball with Learfield Sports.

Translator
Broadcast translators of WFLI
Call signFrequency
(MHz)		City of licenseFacility
ID		ERP
(W)		Height
(m (ft))		ClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC infoNotes
W249BR97.7Lookout Mountain, Tennessee154819250357 m (1,171 ft)D34°51′48″N 85°23′35″WFCC LMSOperating under a special temporary authority.
W262DQ100.3Hixson, Tennessee2032039992 m (302 ft)D35°15′20.2″N 85°13′33.8″WFCC LMS

References
  1. "WFLI Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  2. "Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-413. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  3. Radio-Locator.com/WFLI
  4. Radio-Locator.com/W249BR
  5. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Winter 2010.
  6. Jenkins, David (May 26, 2017). "Jenkins perspective: 50,000 watts can't be silenced; WFLI roars back". Hamilton County Herald. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  7. "WFLI Chattanooga Flips To Talk - RadioInsight". RadioInsight. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  8. "WFLI Chattanooga Flips To Oldies - RadioInsight". RadioInsight. 24 April 2018.
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