WTTN

WTTN (1580 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Columbus, Wisconsin, and serving the Madison metropolitan area radio market. The station is owned by Michael Crute, host of "The Devils Advocates", a syndicated show for which WTTN serves as the flagship station.[3] WTTN airs a progressive talk radio format. It carries syndicated shows from Stephanie Miller and Thom Hartmann.

WTTN
CityColumbus, Wisconsin
Broadcast areaMadison metropolitan area
Frequency1580 kHz
BrandingTalk 92.7 FM
Programming
FormatProgressive talk
Ownership
OwnerMichael Crute
History
First air date
April 2, 1950[1]
Call sign meaning
WaTerTowN (Watertown, Wisconsin, is the original city of license)[2]
Technical information
Facility ID71092
ClassD
Power5,000 watts days
800 watts critical hours
4 watts nights
Transmitter coordinates
43°11′43″N 88°45′17″W
Translator(s)92.7 W224EG (Madison)
Links
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteTalk927fm.com

WTTN is powered by day at 5,000 watts, using a directional antenna. But because 1580 AM is a Canadian clear channel frequency, WTTN must protect Class A CKDO Oshawa, Ontario, from interference. During critical hours, WTTN drops to 800 watts, and after sunset, to only 4 watts. The transmitter is off Parpart Road in Hampden, Wisconsin.[4] All programming is simulcast on 250 watt FM translator 92.7 W224EG.[5] The station uses the FM dial position in its moniker "Talk 92.7 FM."

History

WTTN began broadcasting on April 2, 1950, and was licensed to Watertown, Wisconsin.[1] The station ran 250 watts, during daytime hours only, and was owned by Watertown Radio, Inc.[6] In 1961, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts, and it began to be simulcast on 104.7 WTTN-FM.[6][7] WTTN aired a middle of the road (MOR) format in the 1970s and 1980s.[8][9][10][11] Nighttime operations were added in the late 1980s, running 7.8 watts.[11] The station adopted a country music format in 1991.[12]

In 1999, WTTN was sold to Good Karma Broadcasting for $525,000.[13] In 2001, the station adopted a news-talk format.[14] In January 2003, WTTN adopted an oldies format.[15][16] The station was branded "The Goose" during this period.[15][17][18]

Station's logo as an ESPN Deportes affiliate

In 2009, WTTN's city of license and transmitter site were moved to Columbus, Wisconsin, and its daytime power was increased to 5,000 watts using a directional array.[19] This move allowed for co-owned 100.5 WTLX to be moved from Columbus to Monona, Wisconsin.[17] Later that year, the station adopted a Spanish language sports format as an affiliate of ESPN Deportes.[19] In 2018, the station adopted a progressive talk format branded "Resistance Radio", simulcasting AM 1510 WRRD.[20] In September 2020 Michael Crute took ownership of the station in an exchange with previous owner Good Karma Brands which included selling former Milwaukee based sister station WRRD. [21]

Translator

On May 14, 2019, WTTN began to simulcast on translator W224EG 92.7 FM Madison, and was rebranded as "Talk 92.7".[22]

Call signFrequency
(MHz)		City of licenseFacility
ID		ERP
(W)		Height
(m (ft))		ClassFCC info
W224EG92.7Madison, Wisconsin200994250121 m (397 ft)DFCC

References
  1. 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-233. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  2. "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
  3. "WTTN Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. Radio-Locator.com/WTTN
  5. Radio-Locator.com/W224EG
  6. History Cards for WTTN, fcc.gov. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  7. 1963 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1963. p. B-205. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  8. Broadcasting Yearbook 1975, Broadcasting, 1975. p. C-214. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  9. Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-247. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  10. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1982. p. C-268. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  11. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1989, Broadcasting & Cable, 1989. p. B-333. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  12. "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 8, No. 33. August 19, 1991. p. 1. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  13. "Transactions", Radio & Records. July 23, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  14. "Format Changes and Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 30. October 31, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  15. "Broadcasting News–January 2003", Upper Midwest Broadcasting. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  16. Devine, Cathy (2003). The M Street Radio Directory. 12th Edition. p. 650. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  17. "WTLX Gets OK To Move Closer To Madison", All Access Music Group. September 7, 2006. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  18. "Moser Upped To Station Manager At Good Karma's Beaver Dam Cluster", All Access Music Group. September 26, 2006. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  19. "Broadcasting News–September 2009", Upper Midwest Broadcasting. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  20. "'Devils Advocate Radio' Adds Simulcast Partner", InsideRadio. March 6, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  21. https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2020/09/04/progressive-talk-station-exits-milwaukee.html
  22. "Progressive Talk Radio Returns To Madison FM Dial", InsideRadio. May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
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