Radio-Locator.com/K248BB/ref> 97.5 K248BB can be heard around the clock, unlike the AM station.
FM translator
WFNO relays its programming to an
FM translator
A broadcast relay station, also known as a satellite station, relay transmitter, broadcast translator (U.S.), re-broadcaster (Canada), repeater (two-way radio) or complementary station (Mexico), is a broadcast transmitter which repeats (or tra ...
. This provides the ability to broadcast WFNO programming around the clock, in
high fidelity stereophonic
Stereophonic sound, or more commonly stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that recreates a multi-directional, 3-dimensional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two independent audio channels through a configuration ...
sound. An unusual twist is that the translator's
call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assig ...
begins with a "K" while the main station's call letters, WFNO, begin with a "W." The
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it ...
is the dividing line in most cases between K and W call signs. But because the river twists through the middle of Louisiana, and
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the List of U.S. states and territories by population, 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minne ...
for that matter, the K-W dividing line is not clearly defined in these two states.
History
As KGLA, WFNO was a Top 40 station prior to its flip to Spanish-language programming in the 1970s. They are also New Orleans' first and oldest Spanish outlet. Initially called Radio Mil, it served as a much-needed link for the growing Hispanic community. The founders of the Spanish-language broadcast at the station were Luis Alberto Carrillo of Costa Rica and Julio Guichard, from Cuba. Guichard is no longer involved with the station but has maintained local media presence. Carrillo moved out of New Orleans several years ago, to elevate and expand in Los Angeles, California.
The station has remained faithfully committed to serve the New Orleanian community's interests even while successfully transforming itself into a viable enterprise. It was acquired by a family consortium in the 1980s headed by entrepreneur Ernesto Schweikert. It has recently been awarded all sorts of accolades after its prompt recovery from Hurricane Katrina, reportedly using a small gasoline-powered generator to broadcast emergency messages for those who had no other means of communications in the first few days following the storm.
KGLA swapped call signs and formats with sister station
WFNO on August 1, 2019.
References
External links
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Radio stations in New Orleans
Radio stations established in 1969
Spanish-language radio stations in Louisiana
1969 establishments in Louisiana
Daytime-only radio stations in Louisiana
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