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by | Mar 21, 2018 | Azalea

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WPJL (1240 kHz) is a currently silent commercial AM radio station, licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina, and serving the Research Triangle. The station, owned by Divine Mercy Radio, aired a Christian talk and teaching radio format[2] before going silent on July 31, 2023.

WPJL is authorized for 1,000 watts non-directional..

History

The station signed on the air on March 29, 1939, as WRAL. Its power was 250 watts by day and 100 watts at night, broadcasting on 1210 kHz. The studios were on Salisbury Street in downtown Raleigh. In 1946, it added an FM station, WRAL-FM, and in 1956 added a television station, WRAL-TV.

In 1941, the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) was implemented, which moved most stations on 1210 kHz, including WRAL, to 1240 kHz. During those early days, the station was a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System.

Capitol Broadcasting sold WRAL in 1965, but kept the sister stations WRAL-FM and WRAL-TV. That required a change in its call sign, becoming WRNC, which stood for Raleigh, North Carolina. As WRNC, the station played Top 40 hits and then country music. In the 1960s the station was sold to Smiles Associates and in 1974 the format was changed to Christian radio. In 1978, the call sign was changed from WRNC to WPJL ("We Proclaim Jesus Lord"). The call sign was chosen to reflect the new orientation of the station.[3]

Religious leaders heard on WPJL included Adrian Rogers, J. Vernon McGee, Joyce Meyer, Jim Daly, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Chuck Swindoll. WPJL went off the air July 31, 2023, and on August 16, 2023, it was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to remain silent for up to 180 days.[4]

On February 12, 2024, WPJL was sold to Divine Mercy Radio, in order to become a sister station to WETC in Wendell.[5] In June 2024, the station was given permission to temporarily operate with 250 watts, using a longwire antenna constructed at the WETC transmitter site.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WPJL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "WPJL Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. ^ "Raleigh Radio History". Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
  4. ^ "RE Request for Special Temorary Request to Remain Silent", August 16, 2023 correspondence from Victoria McCauley, Attorney, FCC Audio Division, Media Bureau.
  5. ^ Jacobson, Adam (February 12, 2024). "Silent AM Set For Rebirth Under New Owner | Radio & Television Business Report". Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "AM Engineering STA Application", FCC Licensing and Management System, File Number:0000245548, Submitted May 31, 2024, Granted June 20, 2024.

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