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WLZX-FM

(Redirected from Lazer 99.3)

WLZX-FM (99.3 MHz) is a radio station in Northampton, Massachusetts. The station has an active rock format, and is owned by Saga Communications. The station is also simulcast on WLZX (1600 AM) and translator station W253CD (98.5 FM), both in East Longmeadow, as well as the HD2 channel of WAQY (102.1 FM) in Springfield.

WLZX-FM
Broadcast areaSpringfield, Massachusetts
Frequency99.3 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingLazer 99.3 & 98.5
Programming
FormatActive rock
Subchannels
Ownership
Owner
  • Saga Communications
  • (Saga Communications of New England, LLC)
WAQY, WHAI, WHMP, WIZZ, WPVQ-FM, WRSI
History
First air date
November 1, 1965 (59 years ago) (1965-11-01) as WHMP-FM
Former call signs
  • WHMP-FM (1965–2000)
  • WLZX (2000–2017)
Call sign meaning
"Lazer"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID46963
ClassA
ERP5,800 watts
HAAT101 meters (331 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
42°22′26″N 72°40′23″W / 42.374°N 72.673°W / 42.374; -72.673
Translator(s)
  • HD2: 94.3 W232BW (Amherst)
  • HD3: 96.9 W245BK (Amherst)
Repeater(s)102.1 WAQY-HD2 (Springfield)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website
Simulcast
WLZX
Frequency1600 kHz
Ownership
Owner
  • Saga Communications
  • (Saga Communications of New England, LLC)
History
First air date
1949 (75 years ago) (1949) as WSFL
Former call signs
  • WSFL (1949–1951)
  • WJKO (1951–1957)
  • WTYM (1957–1977)
  • WIXY (1977–1991)
  • WAQY (1991–1997)
  • WMRE (1997)
  • WAQY (1997–1999)
  • WPNT (1999–2000)
  • WHNP (2000–2017)
Technical information[2]
Facility ID58546
ClassD
Power2,500 watts daytime
Transmitter coordinates
42°4′25.34″N 72°31′27.31″W / 42.0737056°N 72.5242528°W / 42.0737056; -72.5242528 (WLZX (AM))
Translator(s)98.5 W253CD (East Longmeadow)
Links
Public license information

Programming

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WLZX-FM and WLZX air an active rock format. However, WLZX (AM), along with its FM translator, breaks away to carry Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics games.

History

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What is now WLZX-FM went on the air November 1, 1965, as WHMP-FM.[3] In 2000, Saga Communications purchased WHMP-FM and WHMP from Clear Channel,[4] which operated WHMP-FM as the "Rock Alternative".[5] Lazer 99.3 went live on September 11, 2000.[6]

On February 3, 2017, WLZX-FM rebranded as "Lazer 99.3 & 105.1" and began simulcasting on WLZX (1600 AM, formerly WHNP) and FM translator W286DB (105.1 FM) in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. As WHNP, the 1600 AM facility had simulcast the talk format of sister station WHMP.[7] The station subsequently rebranded as "Lazer 99.3 & 98.5", in reflection of the translator's move to 98.5 FM as W253CD.[8]

The WLZX stations switched to an alternative rock format in the summer of 2017, but returned to the active rock format at 6:00 a.m. on February 4, 2020. The stations added The Toucher and Rich Show, a syndicated morning show based at WBZ-FM in Boston, on May 9, 2022;[9] they dropped the program in 2023.[10]

Translators

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In addition to W253CD (98.5), which is fed by WLZX (AM), WLZX-FM has two translators: W232BW (94.3) in Amherst at 250 watts, which simulcasts its HD2 channel, a classic hits station branded as "Rewind 94.3";[11] and W245BK (96.9), also a 250-watt facility in Amherst, which simulcasts WLZX-FM's HD3 channel, an oldies station branded as "Pure Oldies 96.9".[12]

Broadcast translator for WLZX (AM)
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W253CD 98.5 FM East Longmeadow, Massachusetts 156452 250 D 42°4′25.8″N 72°31′27.3″W / 42.073833°N 72.524250°W / 42.073833; -72.524250 (W253CD) LMS
Broadcast translators for WLZX-FM
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info Notes
W232BW 94.3 FM Amherst, Massachusetts 84372 250 D 42°21′49.3″N 72°25′22.3″W / 42.363694°N 72.422861°W / 42.363694; -72.422861 (W232BW) LMS Relays HD2
W245BK 96.9 FM Amherst, Massachusetts 84114 250 D 42°22′25.3″N 72°40′24.3″W / 42.373694°N 72.673417°W / 42.373694; -72.673417 (W245BK) LMS Relays HD3

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WLZX-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WLZX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1975. 1975. p. C-90.
  4. ^ "Clear Channel to sell 16 more radio stations". Toledo Blade. Bloomberg News Service. March 10, 2000. p. 37. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  5. ^ "WHMP 99.3 ONLINE". April 28, 1999. Archived from the original on April 28, 1999. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  6. ^ Peters, Bill; Saulmon, Greg (May 11, 2009). "Sustainable Radio". MassLive. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Lazer 99.3 Adds Second Signal Radioinsight - February 3, 2017
  8. ^ "Lazer 99.3 & 98.5" Logo
  9. ^ Venta, Lance (May 5, 2022). "Toucher & Rich Expand To Springfield". Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Venta, Lance (October 2, 2023). "WCYY Brings Back Rob Riccitelli For Mornings; Dropping Toucher & Rich". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Saga Goes in Rewind in Amherst Radioinsight - January 1, 2021
  12. ^ "Saga Launches Pure Oldies In Amherst MA". RadioInsight. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
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