WAFX

Infobox Radio station
name = WAFX


city = Suffolk, Virginia
area = Hampton Roads Southeastern Virginia
branding = "106.9 The Fox"
slogan = "Hampton Roads' Classic Hits"
airdate = 1981
frequency = 106.9 MHz HD Radio
format = Classic Hits
power =
erp = 100,000 watts
haat = 300 meters
class = C
facility_id =
coordinates = coord|36|48|16.0|N|76|45|17.0|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = W A FoX
former_callsigns = WTID (1981-1987) WSKX (1987-1989) WAFX (1989-Present)
owner = Saga Communications
licensee = Tidewater Communications, Inc.
sister_stations = WJOI, WNOR
webcast = [http://winmedia.voxcdn.net/3156-WMA-WAFX-FM-32 WAFX Webstream]
website = [http://www.1069thefox.com/ WAFX Online]
affiliations =

WAFX is a Classic Hits formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Suffolk, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads and Southeastern Virginia. WAFX is owned and operated by Saga Communications, Inc.

History

WAFX launched in 1981 as WTID, at first running all Christmas music , and later with an automated country format, broadcasting out of it's transmitter location in Windsor Va .

In 1987, the station was sold and WTID changed calls to WSKX , moved the studio to nearby Norfolk, and began using local DJs with their live and local country format. "Kix 106", as it was called, was an attempt to topple then country giant WCMS. When this proved unsuccessful, WSKX became classic rock WAFX in 1989, beginning with a tracking of all the Beatles albums.

The Fox was an instant success, debuting at #1 in the Arbitron ratings, a virtually unprecedented achievement for a Classic Rock station in a large market. However, by 1993 the station's ratings had slipped and WAFX was acquired by Saga Communications, which owns rival rock station WNOR.At that time , Saga moved the station in with WNOR, and dropped the "Fox" logo and began calling itself "Classic Hits 106.9" and adding some crossover pop and cutting back on the harder rock .A few years later, the station reinstituted the Classic Rock format and brought back the "Fox" logo . Most recently , the station has reinstituted tye Classic Hits format and is calling itself "Classic Hits 106.9, The Fox "

The Fox's most notable personality is Mike Arlo, who joined the station after spending over 20 years on the air at WNOR. He is best known for his vast rock knowledge, and the "Electric Lunch" at noon each weekday.

The station made the local news in August of 2008 when it cut loose long running Morning Team John & Nikki and expanded Arlo's shift from 6a to 1p ( partially recorded from 9a to 12noon ).

Transmission

Due to the location of WAFX's tower and it's 100,000 watt signal, WAFX can be clearly heard in Richmond, some 90 miles away and has appeared in local ratings books.

References

* [http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1995/vp950226/02250045.htm Rock Jock Arlo spins up a 20 year retrospective]

External links

* [http://www.1069thefox.com/ 106.9 The Fox Online]
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