WPRR (AM)

WPRR (1680 AM) is an urban adult contemporary radio station serving the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. The station is currently owned by Goodrich Radio.[1]

This article is about the AM station in Ada, Michigan known as WPRR. For the AM station in Johnstown, Pennsylvania formerly known as WPRR, see WNTJ. For the railroad, see Willamette and Pacific Railroad.
WPRR
CityAda, Michigan
Broadcast areaGrand Rapids, Michigan
Frequency1680 kHz
Branding102.5 The Ride
SloganToday's R&B
Programming
FormatUrban AC
Ownership
OwnerGoodrich Radio, LLC
History
First air date
October 1988 (as WBHD)
Former call signs
WDSS (6/16/03-8/20/08)
WJNZ (10/15/98-6/16/03)
WBHD (9/4/88-10/15/98)
Call sign meaning
W Public Reality Radio (previous format)
Technical information
Facility ID87106
ClassB
Power10,000 watts day
680 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
42°56′9″N 85°27′26″W
Repeater(s)102.5 W273DD (Alpine Township)
Links
Websitehttp://the-pulse-of-the-city-gr.radio-site.com/

History
The WDSS logo used on the Grand Rapids page on Radio Disney's website.

The station went on the air as WBHD on September 4, 1998. On October 15, 1998, the station changed its call sign to WJNZ flipping to an Urban Contemporary format as "1680 Jamz," giving Grand Rapids its first 24-hour Urban station at the time. By 2003, the station moved to 1140 AM, but that station eventually changed its format to Catholic-centered talk and preaching.

On June 16, 2003, the station changed the call letters to WDSS and placed the Radio Disney format on the frequency.[2] The station was poorly maintained during the Radio Disney years as station IDs were often mixed up and no ID was heard at the top of the hour.

On August 7, 2008, WDSS discontinued the Radio Disney format, switching to a continuous-loop announcement, announcing the changeover to a new "Public Reality Radio" format in September. The announcement also mentioned that the station's call sign would change over to WPRR on August 18 (the new calls actually took effect August 20).[3] According to station owner Bob Goodrich, Public Reality Radio will be a non-profit, educational endeavor, featuring "a variety of podcasts and programming."[4] On September 22, 2008, "Public Reality Radio" was launched, which includes programming from the Pacifica Radio network.

On July 23, 2020, WPRR dropped the "Public Reality Radio" format (which continues on WPRR-FM 90.1 Clyde Township) and changed their format to urban adult contemporary, branded as "102.5 The Ride".[5]

Translators

In 2010, WPRR established a repeater, W237CZ at 95.3 MHz. Goodrich would acquire the repeater from the Horizon Christian Fellowship in February 2010.[6]

On November 19, 2012, WPRR purchased WXPZ from Larlen Communications.[7] On July 5, 2014, WXPZ's callsign was changed to WPRR-FM.[8]

In 2016, WPRR purchased W273DD at 102.5 MHz and moved it to Alpine Township. This repeater went on air in early 2017.

Call signFrequency
(MHz)		City of licenseERP
(W)		Height
(m (ft))		ClassFCC info
W273DD102.5Alpine Township, Michigan15590 m (300 ft)DFCC

Programming

Programs previously aired on the station included Democracy Now!, The Thom Hartmann Program, The David Pakman Show, The Union Edge, Loud and Clear with Brian Becker, The Bradcast with Brad Friedman and other local shows.[9]

References
  1. "WPRR Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "Radio Disney Adds Grand Rapids". Radio World. NewBay Media, LLC. June 17, 2003. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  3. "WPRR Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. Grand Rapids Press, 9/7/2008
  5. 102.5 The Ride Returns Adult R&B To Grand Rapids Radioinsight - July 23, 2020
  6. FCC Consent to Assignment, February 23, 2010.
  7. Asset Purchase Agreement fcc.gov. September 19, 2012. Accessed February 7, 2015
  8. Call Sign History fcc.gov. Accessed February 7, 2015
  9. Programs Public Reality Radio. Accessed February 7, 2015
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