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Coordinates: 39°42′00″N 75°36′29″W / 39.70000°N 75.60806°W / 39.70000; -75.60806
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{{short description|Traffic radio station in Wilmington, Delaware}}
{{for|the charter high school in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area|Washtenaw Technical Middle College}}
{{for|the charter high school in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area|Washtenaw Technical Middle College}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}


{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WTMC
| name = WTMC
| logo =
| image =
| city = [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]], [[Delaware]]
| city = [[Wilmington, Delaware]]
| area =
| area =
| branding =
| branding =
| airdate = 1948
| airdate = 1948
⚫
| frequency = 1380 [[kilohertz|kHz]]
| slogan =
⚫
| translator = 98.5 W253CQ (Wilmington)
⚫
| frequency = 1380 [[kilohertz|kHz]]
⚫
| format = Traffic
⚫
| translator = '''W253CQ''' 98.5 [[MHz]], Wilmington
⚫
| power = 250 [[watt]]s day<br/>10 watts night
⚫
| format = Traffic
| class = D
⚫
| power = 250 [[watt]]s (day)<br/>10 watts (night)
| facility_id = 48381
| callsign_meaning =
| callsign_meaning = '''T'''ransportation<br>'''M'''anagement<br>'''C'''enter
⚫
| owner = [[Delaware Department of Transportation]]
| former_callsigns = WAMS (1948–2000)
⚫
| webcast = [http://167.21.72.16/wtmc.mp3 Listen Live]
⚫
| owner = [[Delaware Department of Transportation]]
⚫
| website = [https://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/wtmc/ WTMC website]
⚫
| webcast = [http://167.21.72.16/wtmc.mp3 Listen Live]
⚫
| website = [https://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/wtmc/ WTMC website]
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
}}


'''WTMC''' (1380 [[Hertz|kHz]]) is a non-[[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM radio|AM]] [[radio station]]. It also broadcasts on [[FM translator]] station '''W253CQ''' at 98.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]. WTMC serves as a traffic advisory station, a service of the [[Delaware Department of Transportation]] (DelDOT) broadcasting in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]. There are signs posted around the Wilmington area advising motorists to tune to this station for traffic advisories. One such sign exists on [[U.S. Route 202]] upon entry into [[Delaware]] from [[Pennsylvania]]. The service was started in 2000, when DelDOT purchased the license.
'''WTMC''' (1380 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a non-[[commercial radio|commercial]] [[radio station]]. It also broadcasts on [[FM translator]] station '''W253CQ''' at 98.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]. WTMC serves as a traffic advisory station, a service of the [[Delaware Department of Transportation]] (DelDOT) broadcasting in [[Wilmington, Delaware]]. There are signs posted around the Wilmington area advising motorists to tune to this station for traffic advisories. One such sign exists on [[U.S. Route 202]] upon entry into [[Delaware]] from [[Pennsylvania]]. The service was started in 2000, when DelDOT purchased the license.


WTMC is licensed as a conventional broadcasting station, not a [[Highway advisory radio|travelers' information station]], although the state has added synchronized repeater stations downstate on [[AM 1380]] which are HAR/TIS stations, to extend the station's coverage. The HAR/TIS stations were provided by Information Station Specialists and comprise the largest network of HAR/TIS stations in the country - and the only one whose cardinal location is a former broadcast station, the former WAMS. Additional synchronized TIS/HAR repeaters are being added to the network.
WTMC is licensed as a conventional broadcasting station, not a [[Highway advisory radio|travelers' information station]], although the state has added synchronized repeater stations downstate on [[AM 1380]] which are HAR/TIS stations, to extend the station's coverage. The HAR/TIS stations were provided by Information Station Specialists and comprise the largest network of HAR/TIS stations in the country - and the only one whose cardinal location is a former broadcast station, the former WAMS. Additional synchronized TIS/HAR repeaters are being added to the network.


==History==
==History==
The 1380 frequency first [[sign-on|signed on]] in 1948 as '''WAMS'''.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1949/Radio-BC-YB-1949-B&W.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1949 page 96]</ref> It was owned by the Wilmington Tri-State Broadcasting Company because its signal also extended into [[New Jersey]] and [[Pennsylvania]]. It was a [[network affiliate]] of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]], carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports. An advertisement in the 1949 ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting Yearbook]]'' said WAMS was "Delaware's home owned and operated station." The station originally was powered at 1,000 [[watt]]s, day and night. WAMS also had an FM station, 96.1 MHz WAMS-FM, powered at 20,000 watts and [[simulcast]]ing its AM [[sister station]]. (The 96.1 frequency is now broadcasting in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], as [[WCTO]].)
The 1380 frequency first [[sign-on|signed on]] in 1948 as '''WAMS'''.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1949/Radio-BC-YB-1949-B&W.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1949 page 96]</ref> It was owned by the Wilmington Tri-State Broadcasting Company because its signal also extended into [[New Jersey]] and [[Pennsylvania]]. It was a [[network affiliate]] of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]], carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports. An advertisement in the 1949 ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting Yearbook]]'' said WAMS was "Delaware's home owned and operated station." The station originally was powered at 1,000 [[watt]]s, day and night. WAMS also had an FM station, 96.1&nbsp;MHz WAMS-FM, powered at 20,000 watts and [[simulcast]]ing its AM [[sister station]]. (The 96.1 frequency is now broadcasting in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], as [[WCTO]].)


In the 1960s and 70s, WAMS was a popular [[Top 40]] hit music station but also at various times was a [[country music]] station and [[adult contemporary]] outlet. It was later powered at 5,000 watts by day and 1,000 watts at night.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/B-Radio-All-BC-YB-1985.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1985 page B-50]</ref> Due to financial problems, the station went [[dark (broadcasting)|dark]] in 1986. Its original [[transmitter]] site was sold, due to the value of the land on which it had been located. AM 1380 stayed off the air until DelDOT purchased the license for its travelers information service.
In the 1960s and 70s, WAMS was a popular [[Top 40]] hit music station but also at various times was a [[country music]] station and [[adult contemporary]] outlet. It was later powered at 5,000 watts by day and 1,000 watts at night.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/B-Radio-All-BC-YB-1985.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1985 page B-50]</ref> Due to financial problems, the station went [[dark (broadcasting)|dark]] in 1986. Its original [[transmitter]] site was sold, due to the value of the land on which it had been located. AM 1380 stayed off the air until DelDOT purchased the license for its travelers information service.

==Translators==
{{RadioTranslators
| call1 = W253CQ
| freq1 = 98.5 MHz
| fid1 = 201388
| watts1 = 100
| haat1 = 55
| class1 = D
| city1 = Wilmington, Delaware
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=49173 FCC History Cards for WTMC]
* [http://www.oldwilmington.net/oldwilmington/radio-tv.htm Old Radio Wilmington DE]
* [http://www.oldwilmington.net/pages/radio-tv.html Old Radio Wilmington DE]
* [http://bamlog.com/wams.htm 5 Tower Array]
* [http://bamlog.com/wams.htm 5 Tower Array]
* [http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=121 Delaware DOT purchases AM radio license]
* [http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/315974.pdf Delaware DOT purchases AM radio license]
* {{Official website|https://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/wtmc/}}
* {{Official website|https://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/wtmc/}}
{{AM station data|WTMC}}
{{AM station data|48381|WTMC}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|201388|W253CQ}}
*[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=49173&.pdf FCC History Cards for WTMC]
*{{FMXL|W253CQ}}


{{Wilmington DE Radio}}
{{Wilmington DE Radio}}
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[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1948]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1948]]
[[Category:Wilmington, Delaware]]




Latest revision as of 10:42, 12 January 2025

For the charter high school in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area, see Washtenaw Technical Middle College.

WTMC
Frequency1380 kHz
Programming
FormatTraffic
Ownership
OwnerDelaware Department of Transportation
History
First air date
1948
Former call signs
WAMS (1948–2000)
Call sign meaning
Transportation
Management
Center
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID48381
ClassD
Power250 watts day
10 watts night
Translator(s)98.5 W253CQ (Wilmington)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteWTMC website

WTMC (1380 AM) is a non-commercial radio station. It also broadcasts on FM translator station W253CQ at 98.5 MHz. WTMC serves as a traffic advisory station, a service of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) broadcasting in Wilmington, Delaware. There are signs posted around the Wilmington area advising motorists to tune to this station for traffic advisories. One such sign exists on U.S. Route 202 upon entry into Delaware from Pennsylvania. The service was started in 2000, when DelDOT purchased the license.

WTMC is licensed as a conventional broadcasting station, not a travelers' information station, although the state has added synchronized repeater stations downstate on AM 1380 which are HAR/TIS stations, to extend the station's coverage. The HAR/TIS stations were provided by Information Station Specialists and comprise the largest network of HAR/TIS stations in the country - and the only one whose cardinal location is a former broadcast station, the former WAMS. Additional synchronized TIS/HAR repeaters are being added to the network.

History

[edit]

The 1380 frequency first signed on in 1948 as WAMS.[2] It was owned by the Wilmington Tri-State Broadcasting Company because its signal also extended into New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System, carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports. An advertisement in the 1949 Broadcasting Yearbook said WAMS was "Delaware's home owned and operated station." The station originally was powered at 1,000 watts, day and night. WAMS also had an FM station, 96.1 MHz WAMS-FM, powered at 20,000 watts and simulcasting its AM sister station. (The 96.1 frequency is now broadcasting in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as WCTO.)

In the 1960s and 70s, WAMS was a popular Top 40 hit music station but also at various times was a country music station and adult contemporary outlet. It was later powered at 5,000 watts by day and 1,000 watts at night.[3] Due to financial problems, the station went dark in 1986. Its original transmitter site was sold, due to the value of the land on which it had been located. AM 1380 stayed off the air until DelDOT purchased the license for its travelers information service.

Translators

[edit]
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
W253CQ 98.5 MHz FM Wilmington, Delaware 201388 100 55 m (180 ft) D LMS

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WTMC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1949 page 96
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1985 page B-50
[edit]

39°42′00″N 75°36′29″W / 39.70000°N 75.60806°W / 39.70000; -75.60806


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