The station signed on the air in July 15, 1973; 51 years ago (1973-07-15).[1] Its original call sign was WTGM. It was owned by the Virginia Cultural Foundation.[1] WTGM-FM aired a mix of classical music, NPR news and community programs.[7]
Within only two years, however, the station ran into severe financial problems. That forced HRETA (then known as the Hampton Roads Educational Television Association) to step in and rescue the station.[8]
HRETA changed the call letters to WHRO-FM in 1978. The new call sign would match the radio and television stations. In the early 1980s, a feasibility study indicated that a second public radio station could be viable.[1] The plan was one station would specialize in classical music, while the other would concentrate on informational and news programs, along with some other genres of music. However, it was not until 1988 that HRETA won a second noncommercial license, on 90.3 MHz.[9] On September 21, 1990, 90.3 FM signed on as a full-time classical music station, taking the WHRO-FM call letters. NPR news and information programming remained on 89.5 under new call letters, WHRV.[10]
HD Radio
WHRV's HD Radio Channels on a SPARC Radio with PSD.
Additionally, the station operates a 250 watt translator station, W269BQ, at 101.7 MHz in Virginia Beach, which serves sections of that community that do not get a clear signal from 89.5.
