WRTA (AM)

WRTA is a News/Talk/Sports formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, serving Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania. WRTA is owned and operated by Lightner Communications LLC.

WRTA
CityAltoona, Pennsylvania
Broadcast areaAltoona, Pennsylvania
Blair County, Pennsylvania
Frequency1240 kHz
Branding"NewsTalk 1240 WRTA"
Programming
FormatNews/Talk/Sports
Ownership
OwnerLightner Communications LLC (Matt Lightner).
(Lightner Communications LLC.)
WBRX, WBXQ, WKMC, WTRN, WYUP
History
First air date
1946
Call sign meaning
W Roy Thompson Altoona
Technical information
Facility ID67505
ClassC
Power1,000 Watts day and night
Transmitter coordinates
40°30′26.0″N 78°25′15.0″W
Translator(s)W253CJ (98.5 MHz, Altoona)
Links
Webcast
WebsiteWRTA Online

History

WRTA began broadcasting June 18, 1947, on 1240 kHz with 250 W power. The station was an ABC affiliate and was owned by Roy Thompson.[1]

Roy Thompson sold WRTA to the Altoona Trans Audio Corporation in March 1956.[2] The Altoona Trans Audio Corporation was composed of Martin J. Malarkey, Jr., John L. Miller, Horace Richards, and Louis "Lou" Murray. In September 1982, the Altoona Trans Audio Corporation elected David Rodney "Rod" Wolf President and Chief Operating Officer. Wolf still maintained his positions as Treasurer and General Manager. Rod Wolf joined WRTA in January 1957 where he served in multiple capacities on and off the air.[3]

Rod Wolf, President of Altoona Trans Audio, announced the sale of WRTA to David A. Barger, president of Handsome Brothers Inc., in November 2003. The sale marked the first change in ownership of WRTA in more than 45 years.[4] Rebecca Barger sold the station to Lightner Communications, LLC (Matt Lightner) in July 2019, joining it with stations WKMC, WYUP, WBRX, WBXQ and WTRN.[5][6] Matt Lightner is a long time Broadcast Engineer and area business owner.

WRTA added a FM translator at 98.5 MHz (W253CJ) that provides city grade FM coverage of Altoona, PA and coverage in all of Blair county, and part of Cambria county.

References
  1. "WRTA, New ABC Affiliate Underway in Altoona, Pa" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 30, 1947. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  2. "Radio Station WRTA In Altoona Sold To New Corporation", Clearfield Progress, March 31, 1956, page five.
  3. "Audio Corp. Lists Officers", Altoona Mirror, September 9, 1982, page 15.
  4. http://www.tyronepa.com/2003/11/Altoona-radio-station-sold-to-Cresson-broadcaster/
  5. Lightner buys Altoona cluster
  6. https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/07/wrta-am-3-others-sold/


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