WBFD

Infobox Radio station
name = WBFD


city = Bedford, Pennsylvania
area =
branding =
slogan =
airdate =
frequency = 1310 kHZ (AM)
format = Adult standard
power = 5000 watts (daytime); 85 watts (night)
erp =
class = D
callsign_meaning = Bedford Fire Department
former_callsigns = WAYC, WOOX
owner = Cessna Communications, Inc.
webcast =
website = [http://timelessclassicsonline.com]
affiliations = ABC Radio
former affiliations = Mutual Radio

WBFD is an American radio station in Bedford, Pennsylvania, the seat of government for Bedford County. WBFD operates at the assigned frequency of 1310 kHz and a maximum output power of 5,000 watts.

A Legacy of Top 40

WBFD originally signed on the air on July 2, 1955, and was the very first radio station to serve Bedford County in this highly rural area. Broadcast from the local fire department, the new station took its call letters from the volunteer service (thus WBFD) [April 14, 2008 Interview with former WBFD disk jockey Dennis Tice] . WBFD had made its debut as rock 'n roll was still developing, and found itself as a popular voice for the new up and coming acts, as well as being a full-service community servant. For much of its existence, like many small AM stations of its time, it broadcast only from sunrise to sunset.

On December 22, 1966, WBFD was joined by its new FM sister station. While the AM station broadcast a Top-40 playlist, the FM station WAKM-FM was launched as a programmed classical (Musak-like) station with no live on-air talent (aside from newsbreaks). The WAKM became WRAX in the early 1980s changing format to country (the station later became WOOX). WBFD-AM broadcast only between dawn and dusk until the mid-1980s, when the FCC granted WBFD nighttime power authorization.

WBFD was relatively consistent in its format, retaining its Top 40 format until around 1990, when it was sold to Kessner Broadcasting Corporation.Upon acquisition of the station, the format was switched from Top 40 to a mixture of contemporary christian and easy listening music. The station was also relocated on the dial from 1310 kHz to the weaker position of 1600 kHz, formerly held by its chief competitor WAYC. The ownership by Kessner would be relatively short-lived, as the station would be sold to its competitor, WAYC (now WHJB) by the end of the century.

WBFD Today

WBFD plays a variety of standard hits from the 50's through the 80's, much like the music of its heyday.

References