WTHS
 | |
| Frequency | 89.9 MHz |
|---|---|
| Branding | Eighty Nine Nine |
| Programming | |
| Format | College |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Hope College |
| History | |
First air date | 1956 |
Former call signs | WTAS (unofficially 1956-12/14/84) |
Call sign meaning | We're The Hope College Station |
| Technical information | |
| Class | A |
| Power | 1,000 watts |
| Links | |
| Website | http://wths.hope.edu/ |
WTHS-FM 89.9 is a student operated radio station licensed to Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
History
Carrier Current
The station began as WTAS in 1956, when Hope student Richard Brockmeier transmitted a signal from his room through the wiring of the then-new Kollen Hall residence hall. Brockmeier joined Hope's faculty in 1966, teaching computer science and physics until his death in 1993.
WTAS-AM
Regular programming began in 1957. WTAS-AM 610 ("We're The Anchor Station," paying homage to the college's logo) operated from studios in the basement at the southwest corner of Kollen Hall, on the Hope College campus, for over 25 years. In 1981, WTAS began simulcasting at 103.3 FM on a radio service then offered by local Continental Cablevision of Holland. This "FM cable" carried a number of Chicago and West Michigan FM stations. It was offered to cable television subscribers throughout the Holland and Zeeland communities.
WTHS-FM
A student project, started in the fall of 1979, lead to the move to FM six years later, on September 27, 1985. The call sign WLQX ("The Lakeshore's Alternative") was originally proposed, as was WMCH ("West Michigan's Alternative"), but later it was decided to apply for WTHS as it was closer to the original WTAS call letters. WTAS-FM belonged to a station in Crete (Chicago), Illinois at that time). WTHS-FM 89.9 ("We're The Hope Station") was licensed to operate with 1,000 watts (directional). New studios in the DeWitt Center were built adjacent to the theatre.
In 2006, the station moved to the newly built Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. The 199 foot tower (153 feet above average terrain) and transmitter remain at the DeWitt Center. A celebratory open house was held January 24, 2007, dedicating the new studios and celebrating 50 years of broadcasting.
WTHS continues to thrive as a modern/alternative rock station, operating 24 hours, 365 days a year.