WCPA (AM)

WCPA
City	Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Broadcast area	Clearfield, Pennsylvania / DuBois
Branding	The Oldies Channel
Frequency	900 kHz
First air date	1947
Format	Oldies
Power	2,500 watts (Daytime) 500 watts (Nighttime)
Class	B
Facility ID	11982
Callsign meaning	Clearfield, PennsylvaniA
Owner	First Media, Inc.

WCPA is an American radio station, licensed to Clearfield, Pennsylvania, the seat of government for Clearfield County. WCPA is owned and operated by First Media, Inc. WCPA broadcasts at the assigned frequency of 900 kHz with a power output of 2,500 watts day; and 500 watts night.

History

WCPA was the first of three radio properties once owned by Progressive Publishing, first going on the air back in 1947. Though it had always broadcast at its current frequency, this station would not be granted nighttime power authorization until 1990, when it undertook a major engineering project.

Prior to this, WCPA enjoyed a reputation as an immediate and reliable source for breaking local news, largely through the newspaper cross-ownership. This alliance resulted in many awards for the quality of their local newscasts. Wishing to expand their reach into other markets, Progressive also purchased WDAD Indiana in 1958 and WMAJ State College at around the same time. Both WDAD and WMAJ experienced massive growth while under Progressive's ownership.

In the mid 1960s, the FCC approved a round of low-powered Class A FM drop-in channels to spur growth on that band among AM broadcasters who were reluctant to take the financial risk involved with the unpopular technology. Progressive successfully applied for three FM channels in their respective markets, with WCPA's FM sister, WQYX coming on the air at 93.5 (now at 93.1) on July 12, 1967.

1980s: Progressive divestiture

In the late 1980s, Progressive decided to reduce its footprint and sold their properties in State College and Indiana. Sales of both stations generated close to $5 million by the end of the decade. With this new capital, Progressive decided to put a sizable investment into WCPA's future. Prior to 1990, it had been a single-tower non-directional daytime-only AM station operating at a thousand watts.

Progressive successfully applied for a construction permit to build a new transmitter and tower site. Two new towers were built for a directional-antenna pattern that would allow the station to operate at more than double its current power during the day, with nighttime power at 500 watts. The low dial position allowed WCPA to be heard clearly at night throughout Clearfield County, and parts of Centre County.

WCPA today

Until 2010, WCPA, along with WQYX, operated at 110 Healy Street in downtown Clearfield. In October 2006, Progressive Publishing sold WCPA and WQYX to First Media, owners of Q102 in DuBois, for $750,000. On May 1, 2010, WCPA/WQYX held a "yard sale" to liquidate its 30-year collection of 45s and albums, as well as electronics, office supplies, etc., in preparation for the demolition of the building. The offices/studios are now co-located with WOWQ/WZDB at 801 E DuBois Ave in Du Bois, PA.

External links

Query the FCC's AM station database for WCPA

Radio-Locator Information on WCPA

Query Nielsen Audio's AM station database for WCPA

Radio stations in Northern Pennsylvania (St. Marys–Emporium–Kane, Pennsylvania area)

Note: This market specifically includes Forest, Elk and Cameron Counties, along with the southern portion of McKean and southwestern portion ofPotter Counties (part of the western Twin Tiers region in Pennsylvania).

By AM frequency	600 900 1250 1260 1300 1310 1400 1420 1540

By FM frequency	88.1 88.5 90.1 91.1 91.7 92.3 92.7 93.1 93.9 94.9 96.7 97.5 98.9 100.1 100.5 100.7 101.3 102.1 102.9 103.1 103.3 103.9 104.1 104.3 105.5 106.5 106.9 107.3

By callsign	WBRR WBYB WCCR-FM WCED WCOG-FM WCOH-FM WCPA WCUC-FM WDDH WDSN WECZ WFRM WHKS WJNG WKBI WKBI-FM WKNB WKQL WLEM WMKX WNAE WOKW WOWQ WPHB WPSX WPXZ-FM WQFX-FM WQKK WQKY WQYX WRQV WRVI WRRN WVTT WWCH WYVL WZDD

Pennsylvania radio markets Allentown–Bethlehem Altoona Bradford–Coudersport Chambersburg–Waynesboro Erie Harrisburg–Lebanon–Carlisle Lancaster Montrose New Castle Philadelphia Pittsburgh Reading Sayre–Towanda–Mansfield–Wellsboro Wilkes-Barre–Scranton Williamsport York Other Pennsylvania radio regions Bedford Indiana Johnstown Lewistown–Mifflintown Meadville–Franklin Punxsutawney–DuBois St. Marys–Emporium–Kane State College Stroudsburg Sunbury–Selinsgrove–Lewisburg Warren See also List of radio stations in Pennsylvania Olean for stations in the Bradford area

Coordinates: 41°02′32″N 78°26′54″W / 41.04222°N 78.44833°W / 41.04222; -78.44833

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