 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Capital District |
| Frequency | 900kHz |
| Branding | 93.9 WABY |
| Programming | |
| Format | 1990s-2000srock |
| Affiliations | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Loud Media LLC |
| WSSV | |
| History | |
First air date | 1964 |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | Albany (former call sign ofWAMC andWSSV) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 72620 |
| Class | D |
| Power |
|
Transmitter coordinates | 42°41′21.28″N73°47′35.44″W / 42.6892444°N 73.7931778°W /42.6892444; -73.7931778 |
| Translator | 93.9 W230DK (Albany) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
WABY (900AM) is acommercialradio stationlicensed toWatervliet, New York, and serving theCapital District. The station broadcasts a1990s-2000srockradio format and is owned by Loud Media.[2]
By day, WABY transmits 400watts.[3] Because900 AM is a Mexicanclear channel frequency, WABY must reduce power at night to 70 watts to avoid interference. It uses anon-directional antenna at all times. Programming is also heard onFM translatorW230DK at 93.9MHz inAlbany.
WSPN, Saratoga Springs, was the first local occupant of 900 kHz, taking to the air in 1954.[4] The station voluntarily turned in its license in 1962 after the FCC determined its owner was in violation of multiple-ownership regulations (he also owned that city's only other radio station).[5] After the frequency was vacated, WKAJ began broadcasting there in February, 1964, winning its permanent license in 1965.[6] For many years the station broadcast amiddle of the road format. In 1992, the call letters were changed to WBGG, and the format tocountry. In 1994, the station changed its call sign to WCKM, and its format tooldies. In 1996, the call letters reverted to WKAJ, and the format was changed tonostalgia. In 1999, WKAJ became WUAM; theantenna was moved toWatervliet in April 2008, splitting from the simulcast withWABY (1160 AM) to repeatCapital News 9's television audio. Beginning in April 2011, the station was relayed on 106.1 FM via translator W291BY, broadcasting from Albany, New York, at 250 wattsERP.
Ernie Anastos sold his Albany-area stations—WUAM and its translator, WABY,WQAR, andWVKZ—to Empire Broadcasting Corporation in June 2012 at a purchase price of $1.2 million.[7] The transaction was consummated on September 7, 2012.
On May 27, 2014, WUAM changed its format to adult standards, branded as "Moon Radio". The station became WABY on July 3, 2014;[8] the call sign was previously used by sister station WAIX, and before then on what are nowWAMC andWYKV.[9] On March 12, 2018, the adult standards format was dropped when Empire Broadcasting transferred its "The X"adult album alternative format from WAIX to WABY.[10]
On May 15, 2018, WABY and its sister AM stations went silent (off the air). The stations' owner noted that, although the sale of an FM sister station cleared all of the stations' debts, the stations were still operating at a loss and that until a freeze on FM translator awards was lifted, the stations could not be sustained.[11]
The station was acquired by Saratoga Radio LLC on October 1, 2019, and the FCC approved the transaction on December 16, 2019.[12] The station was now simulcast withWSSV (the former WAIX) and was known as "Saratoga's Star Radio".
On December 9, 2020, WABY changed its format fromclassic hits to a simulcast of classic country-formattedWNYV, branded as "K94.1".[13] As of March 2023, WABY returned to simulcasting WSSV.
On November 16, 2023, at 9:39 p.m., after ending the WSSV simulcast andstunting for several days with simulated construction sounds, WABY launched a 1990s-2000s rock format, branded as "93.9 WABY" (reflecting its FM simulcast on translator 93.9 W230DK).[14]
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W230DK | 93.9 FM | Albany, New York | 201714 | 12 | D | 42°42′50″N73°31′38″W / 42.71389°N 73.52722°W /42.71389; -73.52722 (W230DK) | LMS |