WVAL (800 AM) is a radio station serving St. Cloud, Minnesota airing a classic country format. It airs news on the hour from CBS News Radio. The station is owned by Tri-County Broadcasting. WVAL first aired in 1963, went on hiatus in the early 1980s, returning to the airwaves in 1999. The station shares AM towers with its three other sister stations, WMIN, WBHR, and WXYG. There are seven total towers. The call sign is based on owner Herb Hoppe's wife Val.[2]

WVAL
Broadcast areaSt. Cloud, Minnesota
Frequency800 kHz
BrandingFM 102.3 & AM 800 WVAL
Programming
FormatClassic country
AffiliationsCBS News Radio
Ownership
OwnerTri-County Broadcasting
WBHR, WHMH-FM, WMIN, WXYG
History
First air date
March 29, 1999 (1999-03-29)
Call sign meaning
Named for owner's wife, Val
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID78914
ClassB
Power2,600 watts day
850 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
45°36′18″N 94°08′21″W / 45.60500°N 94.13917°W / 45.60500; -94.13917
Translator(s)102.3 W272EG (Sauk Rapids)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Website800wval.com

History

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In January 1996, Tri-County Broadcasting filed to build a radio station on 800 kHz in Sauk Rapids, which came to air on March 29, 1999. However, the frequency was not new to the company. The original WVAL had operated on the frequency until moving to 660 kHz in 1983; however, relaxed ownership rules allowed the company to start a second AM.[3] Tri-County moved the WVAL call sign from 660 kHz to the new station and also revived the music it had played in its glory days in the 1970s and early 1980s with classic country, a rarity for the time.[3]

 
Logo before translator sign on

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WVAL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ http://www.fybush.com/site-20141219 Site of the Week 12/19/2014
  3. ^ a b Nistler, Mike (March 27, 1999). "After 16-year absence, WVAL-AM returning". St. Cloud Times. pp. 1A, 8A. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
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45°36′18″N 94°08′21″W / 45.60500°N 94.13917°W / 45.60500; -94.13917