WFOA
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Baltimore metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1230 kHz |
| Branding | Maxima 94.3FM |
| Programming | |
| Language | Spanish |
| Format | Contemporary hit radio; Latin pop; reggaeton; regional Mexican; tropical music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | March 1, 1941 |
Former call signs |
|
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 25527 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 600 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°18′6.4″N 76°34′7.9″W / 39.301778°N 76.568861°W |
| Translator(s) | 94.3 W232CL (Baltimore) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | maxima943fm |
WFOA (1230 kHz) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a Spanish contemporary hit radio format in Baltimore, Maryland. It is owned by Julio Arquinio's BMax Media LLC.[2][3] The station went on the air in 1941, as WITH. It became WRBS, a Christian talk and teaching sister station to WRBS-FM, in 2006, and WFOA in 2025.
WFOA transmits with 600 watts, using a non-directional antenna. Programming is also heard on 100-watt FM translator W232CL on 94.3 MHz.[4]
History
[edit]WITH
[edit]The station signed on the air on March 1, 1941.[5] Its original call sign was WITH, broadcasting with 250 watts power on 1200 kHz.[6] It was owned and operated by Thomas Garland Tinsley and his family.[5]
Opening ceremonies included "a broadcast from the stage of the Maryland Theater, featuring seven songwriters represented by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Musicians, which was fighting with the radio networks over copyrights."[7] In 1941, it moved to 1230 kHz with the adoption of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA).[8]
WRBS
[edit]In 2006, the Peter and John Radio Fellowship, Inc. acquired WITH and changed its call sign to WRBS. The fellowship's existing FM station then became WRBS-FM.
As WRBS, the station aired Christian talk and teaching programs, such as David Jeremiah, John MacArthur and Alistair Begg, along with live call-in shows like The Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey.
WFOA
[edit]Brighter Media Group sold WRBS to Julio Arquinio's BMax Media in October 2024 for $375,000.[9] The previous Chrisitan programming continues to air on the second HD Radio channel of WRBS-FM.[9]
The new owners changed the call sign to WFOA on February 6, 2025.[10] The station airs a Spanish language contemporary hit radio format, also heard over an FM translator on 94.3 MHz.
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WFOA". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "WFOA Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ "WRBS Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/W232CL
- ^ a b Burman, Howard (March 5, 1941). "Tom Tinsley Launches WITH, Balto, With ASCAP and Joe Katz' Help". Variety. p. 39.
- ^ "Baltimore's New Local" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 1, 1941. p. 16. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "Thomas Tinsley, began radio station WITH-AM". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1942 page 136. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ a b Venta, Lance (October 25, 2024). "Station Sales Week Of 10/25". RadioInsight. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Arquinio, Julio (December 20, 2024). "Form 380 - Transfer/Assignment Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 25527 (WFOA) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WFOA in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- FCC History Cards for WFOA
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