WHHS

WHHS
Broadcast areaHaverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Frequency99.9 MHz
Programming
FormatVariety
Ownership
OwnerHaverford High School
History
First air date
December 6, 1949
Former frequencies
89.3 MHz (1948–1992)
107.9 MHz (1992–2005)
Call sign meaning
W Haverford High School
Technical information
Facility ID59344
ClassD
ERP9.5 watts
HAAT49 meters (161 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°58′59.4″N 75°18′8.6″W / 39.983167°N 75.302389°W / 39.983167; -75.302389 (WHHS)
Links
Websitewww.whhs.org
Haverford High School circa mid-2000s.

WHHS (99.9 FM) is a non-commercial educational FM radio station licensed to the School District of Haverford Township in Havertown, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia), and run by the students of Haverford High School. Studios are located within the school, and the transmitter is located on top of the building.

Typical show formats include rock, Top 40, classic rock, rap/hip-hop, sports talk, political talk, and sometimes more eclectic genres like classical or jazz. Occasionally, shows feature live performances from local or school-based bands. Students apply for a radio show (usually 90 minutes long), and a typical show has 2-4 hosts. On the basis of interviews and previous experience with the station, students are chosen to fill several positions, including general manager, technical director, programming director, promotions director, music director, and sports director. The radio station provides an introduction into the radio or communications industries for students interested in careers in these fields.

History

WHHS is the oldest high school-run radio station in the country.[1][2] The station was originally assigned to 89.3 MHz[3] and was granted its first license on February 21, 1950.[4] In 1992, the FCC forced the station to change frequencies to 107.9 MHz.

In 2004, a new radio station licensed to Radio One to serve Pennsauken, New Jersey and the Philadelphia market (WRNB, now WPPZ-FM) signed on, requiring WHHS to change frequencies again. With Radio One's help, WHHS moved to 99.9 MHz in 2005.[5][6]

In 2006, the station began broadcasting live sporting events such as football and hockey.[7] The station has broadcast election day specials and interviews with such politicians and Congressman Curt Weldon and Congressman elect Joe Sestak.[1]

WHHS celebrated 70 years of broadcasting in 2019.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Timpane, John (2009-11-29). "Haverford's studio students An FM pioneer turns 60 In 1949, WHHS was hailed as a dreamcome true. This week, it will be celebrated by alumni and others". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  2. ^ a b Schaefer, Mari A. (December 24, 2019). "Haverford has the oldest high school radio station in the country". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  3. ^ "History Cards for WHHS". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  4. ^ "FM Query Results for WHHS". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  5. ^ Price, Jeff (2005-08-16). "Good guys win in this radio serial Haverford High's station will live on". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  6. ^ Fybush, Scott (June 27, 2005). "Feds Raid Radio Free Brattleboro". fybush.com. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  7. ^ "Haverford High School's WHHS now $10k richer". Delco Times. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2022-08-03.