WSMR (FM)

WSMR (89.1 MHz) is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to Sarasota, Florida, United States. It is owned by the University of South Florida and programs a classical music format. WSMR broadcasts from a transmitter located near the intersection of US 41 and SR 681 in Laurel. Its programming is repeated on translator W280DW 103.9 FM in Tampa, from a 250 watt transmitter on the USF main campus.[1] WSMR's programming can also be heard around the Tampa Bay Area on the HD-2 signal of 89.7 WUSF.

WSMR
CitySarasota, Florida
Broadcast areaSarasota-Bradenton, Florida, Tampa Bay Area
Frequency89.1 MHz
BrandingClassical WSMR
SloganFlorida's Classical Music Station
Programming
FormatClassical music
Ownership
OwnerUniversity of South Florida
(University of South Florida Board of Trustees)
Sister stationsWUSF
History
First air dateMay 1991 (initial license)
Former call signsWAYG (1991-1996)
Technical information
Facility ID64255
ClassC1
ERP54,000 watts
HAAT135 meters (443 feet)
Transmitter coordinates27°6′1.00″N 82°22′18.00″W
Translator(s)103.9 W280DW (Tampa, relays WUSF HD2)
Repeater(s)89.7-2 WUSF HD2 (Tampa)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitewsmr.org

History

The station was initially licensed in 1991 by Northwestern College of Roseville, Minnesota as WAYG, In 1996, it adopted its current call letters, WSMR. During most of its existence under Northwestern College, the station carried a Christian Adult Contemporary format, with the moniker "Life 89.1".

On July 30, 2010, Northwestern College announced that the station would cease broadcasting on August 4 at 5 pm.[2] Northwestern College held a STA to dismantle its current tower and broadcast on another station's auxiliary tower at a lower wattage.[3] A loss of donations from listeners and businesses during the recession has led Northwestern College to close WSMR, even though the special temporary authority (STA) filed with the FCC said that the station would continue broadcasting.

On the day of WSMR's closure, the University of South Florida announced its intention to acquire WSMR, with plans to change the station's format to classical music, while reimaging Tampa's WUSF FM as a station carrying National Public Radio-based talk programming by day and jazz at night. USF has moved the station slightly closer to the Tampa Bay area; WSMR's coverage is primarily the Sarasota-Bradenton area. However, the station's programming is also heard on WUSF-HD2. WUSF's main frequency began broadcasting an NPR News and talk schedule on September 15, 2010;[4] however, WSMR failed to launch on that date as previously announced. Various explanations were offered by WUSF, including delays due to FCC approval, and an undefined technical issue relating to another frequency assigned to "first responders" at the same tower site.[5]

The station's sale to USF also included W280DW, to carry WSMR's new classical signal in Tampa.[6]

Two weeks after the failed launch of classical replacement WSMR, station management came under public scrutiny [7] for neglecting to perform due diligence regarding the purchase of the WSMR transmitter. According to a Bradenton Herald article:

Arthur Doak, an engineer for the FCC, said there was no record of WUSF or Northwestern College conducting an inspection on the tower but said stations are entitled to a review of tower sites.

"If the buyer wanted it done to protect themselves, certainly they could," Doak said. "That's between the buyer and the seller."

On October 25, 2010, WSMR resumed broadcasting, but temporarily at 5,000 watts on a Sarasota-area tower rented from Clear Channel Communications. After several weeks, full-power service resumed.[8][9]

WSMR's main studios in Sarasota were completed in early 2011. The studio is used for broadcasting, as well as live and recorded local performances.[10] The station is dedicated to presenting classical music in recorded and live performances and markets itself as Florida's Classical Station. It is available on-line as well around the world.

In 2020 WSMR abandoned its stated mission as Florida's Classical Station and introduced a two-hour program during prime time on Sundays featuring 'modern' music that includes atonal and non-melodic pieces that do not resemble classical compositions. No date for the conclusion of the program has been announced.[11]

gollark: That is *such* a hexahedral policy, really.
gollark: NEVER!
gollark: However, if I did - for RAM use reasons - I would have to close my active factorio instance, and I'm on a server so it takes ages to resync after I do.
gollark: Theoretically yers.
gollark: I don't.

References
  1. "W280DW-FM 103.9 MHz - Tampa, FL". Radio Locator.
  2. "WSMR: "Life 89.1 Going Off Air August 4th.", July 30, 2010".
  3. "CDBS Print". FCC.
  4. "Tampa public radio station WUSF-FM to go all NPR and jazz Sept. 15, shifting classical music to Sarasota station". St. Petersburg Times. August 4, 2010.
  5. "WUSF Public Media". WUSF Public Media.
  6. "WUSF Public Media". WUSF Public Media.
  7. "WUSF works to figure out problems, broadcasting tower causing interference issues". Bradenton Herald. September 30, 2010.
  8. "WUSF Public Media". WUSF Public Media.
  9. "WUSF debuts new classical music station five weeks late, at low power". St. Petersburg Times. October 25, 2010.
  10. "WUSF Public Media". WUSF Public Media. November 23, 2010.
  11. non-classical program introduced on WSNR, accessed July 26, 2020
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