WRFK (FM)

WRFK (107.1 FM, "Frank FM") is a radio station licensed to Barre and serving Central Vermont. Established in 1974, the station is owned by Jeffrey Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio. WRFK airs a classic rock format, also found on other FM stations in Northern New England, including WFNK in the Portland, Maine area and on WFNQ in the Manchester, New Hampshire area. The transmitter is located off Websterville Road and the studios and offices are on Jacques Street.

WRFK
CityBarre (city), Vermont
Broadcast areaCentral Vermont
Frequency107.1 MHz
Branding107.1 Frank FM
SloganEverything That Rocks
Programming
FormatClassic rock
Ownership
OwnerGreat Eastern Radio, LLC
WSNO, WWFY, WWFK
History
First air date
August 5, 1974 (1974-08-05) (as WORK)[1]
Former call signs
WORK (1974–2012)
Call sign meaning
W R FranK
Technical information
Facility ID34810
ClassA
ERP3,900 watts
HAAT125 meters (410 feet)
Transmitter coordinates
44°09′30″N 72°28′46″W
Repeater(s)107.1 FM (WWFK, Dannemora, New York)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitefrankvermont.com

WRFK began simulcasting on 107.1 FM WPLA (now WWFK) in Dannemora, New York which brings the stations format and branding into the Burlington, Vermont/Plattsburgh, New York/Champlain Valley area.

History

The station signed on August 5, 1974[1] as WORK.[2] It was originally owned by Robert Kimel, who also owned WSNO in Barre and WWSR AM-FM in St. Albans, and programmed an automated Top 40/Hot AC format known as "Hit Parade."[3] Kimel sold WORK and WSNO to Bull Moose Broadcasting in 1997;[4] two years later, the stations were purchased by Vox Radio Group.[5] Nassau Broadcasting Partners acquired most of Vox's northern New England radio stations in 2004,[6] and changed WORK's format to classic hits on September 15, 2006.[7]

Logo for WRFK, used from 2013 until August 15, 2017.

WORK, along with 29 other Nassau stations in northern New England, was purchased at bankruptcy auction by Carlisle Capital Corporation, a company controlled by Bill Binnie (owner of WBIN-TV in Derry, New Hampshire), on May 22, 2012. The station, and 12 of the other stations, were then acquired by Vertical Capital Partners, controlled by Jeff Shapiro.[8][9] On November 14, 2012, the call letters changed to WRFK.[10] The deal was completed on November 30, 2012.[11] The Vertical Capital Partners stations were transferred to Shapiro's existing Great Eastern Radio group on January 1, 2013.[12][13]

On June 26, 2020, WRFK began simulcasting on soon to be acquired sister station, 107.1 FM WPLA in Dannemora, New York which brings the stations format and branding into the Burlington, Vermont/Plattsburgh, New York/Champlain Valley area.[14]

References
  1. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-455. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  2. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 11, 1974. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  3. Broadcasting Yearbook 1975 (PDF). 1975. p. C-195. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  4. Fybush, Scott (January 26, 1997). "Back From the Dead..." North East RadioWatch. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  5. Fybush, Scott (April 2, 1999). "The Eagle Has Crash-Landed". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  6. "Nassau Will Buy 10 Vox Stations in New England". Radio World. March 16, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  7. "Top 40 WORK Flips To Frank-FM". All Access. September 18, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  8. "Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations". All Access. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  9. Venta, Lance (May 22, 2012). "Nassau Broadcasting Auction Results". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 24, 2012. (updated May 23, 2012)
  10. "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  11. Kitch, Michael (December 1, 2012). "Binnie closes on purchase of WLNH". Laconia Daily Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  12. "APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGN BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE OR TO TRANSFER CONTROL OF ENTITY HOLDING BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. December 11, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  13. "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. January 4, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  14. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189651/frank-fm-expands-to-burlington-vt-with-great-eastern-purchase/
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