FM Technical Profile: WYDE

Station Name:
The Source
Frequency:
101.1
Format:
Classic Hits, Talk
Transmitter Location:
SSW of Cullman, tower is visible from I-65 between the two Alabama 69 exits.
Power (ERP):
100 kW
100 kW (CP)
Antenna:
Omnidirectional
Antenna HAAT:
1345 feet
1513 feet (CP)
Other Information:
60 dBu protected contour map, from the FCC.
60 dBu protected contour map, from the FCC. (CP)
HD-multicasting
101.1-1 - WYDE-FM
101.1-2 - WDJC-FM
Stereo
How's the Signal?
Signal is good Jefferson and Shelby counties. Can be received quite well over almost all of central Alabama thanks to a tall tower, lots of power and a good centralized location. Strong signal in Cullman, Pell City, Gadsden, Oneonta, Jasper and Decatur. Weakest in the metro area south of Red Mtn.
Studios:
-
Owner:
Crawford Broadcasting
Noted Personalities:
Laura Ingraham, Mancow.
How's it sound?
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History:
Put on the air in 1950 by WFMH-AM as WFMH-FM. Before going to God, this station played classic country. Licensed to Cullman, the station has had a monster antenna for some time that puts a signal well into Birmingham and Huntsville both. Since becoming Reality Radio, The WFMH calls and format moved to Holly Pond FM station 95.5, who was an oldies station at the time. WFMH had an AM companion, which still serves Cullman. Before being classic country, the station ran nostalgia in mono. The Reality Radio concept was a good idea, but it never seemed to do well in the ratings, and it never seemed to make money. In February 2001, the station flipped from its commercial Christian music format to modern AC with the "101.1 the Spot" moniker. The Reality Radio format is still streaming online, at www.realityradio.com. The format and playlist have been tweaked over time but they always seemed to remain within the "AC with a bit of adult CHR" region. The last weekend in June of 2002 was billed as the last weekend for The Spot, and indeed it went off the air July 1st. In what was an odd display of affection for the listeners, the jocks actually talked about leaving the airwaves and going away. They also ran spots noting WRAX-FM Birmingham as the place to go for new alternative rock.   The ownership of this station has been a bit murky. A group of locals joined together and aquired the station when it became Reality Radio. Local weathercaster James Spann was on the board of directors. This same group kept the station when it went to popular music as The Spot, but later sold it to Huntsville's STG Media. In 2002 Crawford Broadcasting aquired this station, adding its list of Birmingham stations to four.  Crawford changed from music to talk, proclaiming themselves the first talk radio station on FM in Alabama. (Actually, they're the third!) The calls also changed to WYDE-FM when the switch was made to the talk format. WYDE AM & FM carried the same programming at first, but the AM was later spun off to gospel music.  Work on the tower has yielded around a 100 foot increase in antenna height, and the new antenna was switched on in late February.
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The Source was simulcast on WYDE-AM 1260 for a long time, but that changed with 1260's flip to adult standards.
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The start of July brought a major shakeup at The Source, with all the talk being pushed out.  The station began playing Christmas music in the middle of the night of July 1st it seems, a stunt before the flip on the 5th to oldies-heavy AC as "Fun 101".  Supposedly Burt & Kurt will be the only Source hosts to stay on, as regular music jocks for the oldies format.
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Crawford apparently had some late-term second-guessing behind the scenes, because "Fun 101" didn't last more than a day or two at most.  It apparently changed to "Star 101" for another day or two, before changing yet again.  It's now "The New 101.1", with the same classic hits-type format.

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It's interesting to speculate why Crawford has gone name crazy during this last change.  There is an oldies "Fun" monikered station in Arab, well within 101.1's coverage area, so perhaps that was the impetus for that first change.  But changing to "Star"?  That's one of Huntsville's big stations, and again, well within 101.1's coverage area.  Now, it's "The New 101.1", which is more curious yet -- WYSF, trying to regain footing post Rick and Bubba, began calling themselves "The New 94.5".  How long until they pick a name that's unique over their entire coverage area?

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The adult contemporary mix didn't last, or at least has begun being phased out as the entire staff was let go in October 2008.  Shortly thereafter syndicated conservative talker Laura Ingraham debuted on the station, marking her return to the Birmingham market after a lengthy absence.  Music was still played outside of her show, but has been dwindling as more talk shows are added.

 
Crawford personality Lee Davis is back on WYDE, saying it's the flagship station for his show.  Oh and, they're back to calling themselves "The Source".