| Broadcast area | Atlanta metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1190kHz |
| Branding | Relevant Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Catholictalk and teaching |
| Affiliations | Relevant Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Relevant Radio, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | September 1, 1955; 70 years ago (1955-09-01) |
Former call signs | WGKA (1955–2004) |
Former frequencies | 1600 kHz (1955–67) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 72111 |
| Class | D |
| Power | |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°48′34″N84°21′14″W / 33.809444°N 84.353889°W /33.809444; -84.353889 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | relevantradio |
WAFS (1190kHz) is anAMradio station inAtlanta, Georgia, broadcastingCatholictalk and teaching programs from theRelevant Radio Network.
WAFS is adaytimerClass D station. By day, it is powered at 25,000watts, using anon-directional antenna. But it must go off the air at night to protect other stations on1190 AM from interference. WAFS operates pre-sunrise (PSRA) with 350 watts and post-sunset (PSSA) with power levels from 54 to 150 watts. Formerly co-ownedWNIV970 AM broadcasts from the sametower, off Lenox Road NE at the Morningside Nature Preserve.[2]
The stationsigned on the air on September 1, 1955; 70 years ago (1955-09-01).[3] Thecall sign was WGKA, originally transmitting on1600 AM. WGKA was owned by Glenkaren Associates, headed by Locke E. Glenn, hence the acronym. Glenkaren Associates also owned ahi-fi audio store adjoining the radio station. WGKA aired aclassical music format.
In 1967, the station moved to 1190 kHz under the supervision of Chief Engineer Lewis Edge. Shortly afterward, Edge installed a newFM stereo transmitter and a 150 foot (46 m) tower erected on the roof of thePeachtree Center Building. The studios were also moved from the building housing the hi-fi store to Peachtree Center.
WGKA-AM-FMsimulcast their classical music format until 1971. The stations occasionally carriedsyndicated classical programs from theBBC and major orchestras. Several of the hosts who once worked at the station, such asJonathan Phelps and David Jacobs, switched to working atpublic radio station 90.1WABE FM when WGKA-FM was sold. Lee Nance and Arthur Borgeson were also hosts. The FM station's call letters changed toWZGC, now airing asports radio format.
WGKA was later sold toSalem Communications, the nation's largest owner of Christian radio stations.
On March 24, 2004, theMoody Bible Institute sold its Atlanta AM station, WAFS on 920 kHz, to Salem Communications.[4] Salem next swapped the call letters between WGKA and WAFS, effective August 2, 2004, resulting in the WAFS call sign moving to 1190 kHz, and theWGKA call letters transferring to 920 kHz.[5]
In July 2006, Salem entered aLocal marketing agreement (LMA) that changed the station's format toSpanish-languageTropical music under the brand of "Mega 1190".[6] However, the arrangement was abruptly pulled by Salem in February 2007 due to a dispute with the LMA.[7] WAFS then switched to a Spanish language Christian format using the "Radio Luz" branding.
On April 6, 2010, the format was changed again to abusiness news and talk radio format with "Biz 1190" branding. Biz 1190 carried programming from theBloomberg Radio network and airedbrokered programming on money and investing.
On August 15, 2019, Salem Communications announced the sale of WAFS and eight other stations to Immaculate Heart Media for $8.7 million.[8][9] The sale was consummated in November 2019.
WAFS became anetwork affiliate ofRelevant Radio.[10] The network airs Catholic programs, including discussion, prayer and religious services. It is based inWisconsin.