AM Technical Profile: WMSP

Frequency:

740

Format:

Sports

Transmitter Location:

[map]

Power (ERP):

Day: 10 kW

Night: 173 watts

Antenna:

Day: 2 towers [pattern - PDF]

Night 2 towers [pattern - PDF]

Other Information:

-

History:

This station started in 1953 as the second Brennan station in Alabama after WVOK in Birmingham. 740 from the 50's through the 70's was WBAM (alaBAMa), The Big Bam. Studio and transmitter were on the Troy-Montgomery Highway. Unusual for a daytimer, it was a top 40 station. Had a 5/8 wave tower and enjoyed phenomenal coverage, albeit with a slight null towards WSB in Atlanta. Had a strong listener base in small towns (much like co-owned WVOK in Birmingham) nearly 100 miles away.  In fact, the two stations together covered 90% of the state!  Both stations, while top 40, didn't have the typical formatics of 60's top 40 stations: no high energy jocks, fewer jingles and promos and a bland news presentation.  Wikipedia notes that WBAM was also well known for putting on concerts in Montgomery, including one with up-and-comer Elvis Presley, who was presented with Roy Acuff!

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Due to FM competition, it went country in 1973. In the early 80's the station was sold to WLWI-FM and they simulcast for a while. It also changed its name to WLWI for that short time. In the late 80's, the station went to nostalgia, then to plain oldies around the time the power dropped; now sports talk rules the airwaves. Has reduced power and moved to a different transmitter site, so it is no longer the coverage monster.