Post World War I .289XM and WHA.29 WHA (AM)

prof. alfred b. haake delivering talk on economics @ wha (1922)

initially there no formal standards stations providing broadcast service, there no problem 9xm broadcasting under experimental license. however, effective december 1, 1921, department of commerce adopted regulations defining broadcast service. new regulations specified 2 transmitting wavelengths — 360 meters (833 khz) entertainment , , 485 meters (619 khz) market , weather reports — , required stations making broadcasts intended general public hold limited commercial license. professor terry filed application new license, , on january 13, 1922 university issued first broadcasting station authorization, randomly assigned call letters of wha. in addition 2 broadcasting wavelengths, station authorized use 410 meters (731 khz) intercommunication between college stations .

for few more years university continued renew 9xm experimental license, used conducting investigative work, until late 1926, when license permanently deleted. wisconsin public radio commemorates 9xm in fund-raising efforts, recognizing network donors give more $1,200 annually members of 9xm leadership circle .

as struggled establish itself, issues funding, available staff, , technical problems limited wha s schedule. station suspended operations during university s 1922 summer break, then, because of technical difficulties, unable restart regular broadcasting until january 8, 1923. after again suspending operations 1924 summer break, station formally deleted government on september 8, although relicensed, again call letters wha, on october 14.

although great depression caused many college radio stations go silent because of financial pressures, in 1930 state of wisconsin began providing both wha , wlbl in stevens point funding further educational offerings. in fall of 1931, wisconsin school of air provided 10 weekly programs designed supplement grade school curricula. other programs addressed government, agricultural, , homemaker audiences.

in 1927, federal radio commission created regulate u.s. radio stations, , new agency implemented series of frequency reassignments. effective april 26, 1929, wha assigned transmit on 940 khz, limited broadcasting during daytime hours. on march 29, 1941, part of implementation of north american regional broadcasting agreement, wha, along other stations on 940, moved current dial position of 970 khz. however, station had sign off @ sundown. lack of nighttime hours limited wha s potential programming after creation of wisconsin public radio in 1948. station made several unsuccessful attempts on years assigned clear-channel frequency, or @ least better dial location have enabled remain on air @ night.

in summer of 1932, wha relocated transmitter couple of miles (3 kilometers) south current site @ silver spring farm. site had been used wisconsin state journal station, wisj, no longer needed after station merged operations capital times station, wiba.

in 1934, wha studios relocated sterling hall radio hall, 1880s vintage heating plant building. in 1972 studios moved again, vilas communication hall.

in 1936, wha installed custom-built transmitter. in 1951, station retired transmitter , purchased 5,000-watt westinghouse transmitter. custom-built transmitter had operated on 52,000 hours.

the canadian series children, friendly giant, created in 1953 on wha. show, starring bob homme, later moved local sister station wha-tv before making way canadian television on cbc television network. long-running dramatic radio series earplay created wha in fall of 1971.

in december 1987, wha authorized commence nighttime operations, had reduce power 51 watts @ sundown.