This page list ALL of the home stations in the Fredericksburg area. Note that some stations considered out-of-market and/or fringe (rimshot) are also included. This type of station will put in a listenable signal to certain parts of the area and sometimes will garner enough listener-/viewership to register in ratings "books"... » If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to editor@VARTV.com.

WWED 89.5 208B1

Format: Christian Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Life FM RDS:  PS (Program Service) WWED89-5 TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): RELIGIOUS Community Of License: Spotsylvania VA Owner: Educational Media Corp Website: wwedfm.org Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 495' 8 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class B1 Transmitter Site: 38° 11' 48" N 77° 33' 45" W FCC Facility ID: 90679 Frequency Background: On 9/18/2009, "Gospel FM's" Bluegrass/Bluegrass Gospel format was dropped (both WWED and WWEM) and remained silent until a Christian Contemporary format launched in early 2/2010 as "Life FM." Increased it's power from 380 watts to 8,000 watts and changed from a "Class A" to "Class B1" licensed station early 2010. On 12/8/2007, WWEM/91.7 Rustburg/Lynchburg signed on as a simulcast of WWED. Shifted from Praise & Worship to Country/Southern Gospel 10/18/2006. WWED originates 20 hours of local music, public service, and informational programming daily and utilizes approximately four hours daily of nationally syndicated teaching programs. Previously an affiliate of MBN (Moody Broadcasting Network) using about six hours a day of MBN programming. Original CP (construction permit) granted 8/22/05. Took the call letters WWED on 8/30/05. WWED went on-air November 6, 2005 at 6:07 p.m. at ½ power and received PTA (program test authority) on November 10, 2005. EMC, headed up by Pete Stover, is based in Spotsylvania.

WPER 89.9 210B

Format: Bright AC On-Air Positioning: Virginia's Positive Hits Community Of License: Culpeper VA Owner: Positive Alternative Radio Website: positivehits.org Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Audio Clip: 2/14/2006 - WPER: Contemporary Christian: Adds new stations to simulcast. 16:31 (WMA) Facilities: 331' 50 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 38° 40' 42" N 77° 47' 18" W FCC Facility ID: 53095 Frequency Background: Previously known as "Positive Hits" until adding WJYJ/90.5 Fredericksburg (and a half dozen former CSN Virginia translators) as a new simulcast partner on 2/14/2006 around 7:20 a.m. Previously known as "89.9 WPER - Christian Music Radio" until 3/1/2004 when they added more upbeat music, plus Christian Rock/Alternative to their lineup. The station stunted on Friday 2/27/2004 with "The Passion of the Christ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" at 5AM. The new WPER debutted on Monday 3/1/2004 at 5:20PM. First signed on during the late summer of 1999. Even though based in Culpeper, they put an excellent signal into the Fredericksburg area.

WJYJ 90.5 213B

Format: Bright AC On-Air Positioning: Virginia's Positive Hits Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: Positive Alternative Radio HD Radio™: Not Licensed RDS: No Website: positivehits.org Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Audio Clip: 2/14/2006 - WJYJ: Stunting to Contemporary Christian "Virginia's Positive Hits" 16:31 (WMA) Facilities: 538' 38 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 38° 11' 48" N 77° 33' 45" W FCC Facility ID: 18852 Frequency Background: Joined WPER/89.9 Culpeper as a new simulcast partner on 2/14/2006 around 7:20 a.m. Was acquired by Positive Alternative Radio from CSN Virginia at the end of December 2005. The station stunted with Christmas music as Nick FM (January thru February 14, 2006) along with another dozen other former CSN Virginia stations and translators. Previously, known as "Praise FM" when owned by CSN Virginia with a format that was 80% Inspirational Speaking, 20% Christian Contemporary. Was part of CSI International (founded in 1993, is a non-profit organization, an outreach of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa CA and Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls ID) late Summer of 2002. WJYJ started operations in 1983 by Educational Media Corporation President Pete Stover; who aired "90-Joy" from its studio and transmitter facility at 830 Gunnery Hill Road in Spotsylvania County. In 1995, it changed its positioner "JOY-FM."

W217BC 91.3 217D

Format: Religious // KAWZ/89.9 Twin Falls ID On-Air Positioning: Calvary Satellite Network Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: CSN International Website: csnradio.com Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 246' .019 kW Service Designation: FX — Translator (Retransmitting) Facility / Class D Transmitter Site: 38° 16' 21" N 77° 29' 46" W FCC Facility ID: 93601 Frequency Background: In September 2000, W217BC was placed on the air as a satellite fed FM translator of CSN International's "Calvary Satellite Network" (CSN), with KAWZ/89.9 Twin Falls ID as the uplink station. In May 2002, CSN International purchased the former 90Joy/JoyFM network (WJYJ/WJYA/15 translators) from Educational Media Corporation (owners of WWED/89.5 Spotslyvania). That's when CSN switched W217BC to a satellite fed FM translator of their "The Effect," Christian Rock & Alternative // KEFX-FM/88.9 Twin Falls ID. In December 2005, the CSN Virginia network (WJYJ/WJYA/WPVA/WJCN/14 translators) was sold to Positive Alternative Radio. CSN International returned W217BC to its original status as a satellite fed FM translator of the Calvary Satellite Network/KAWZ on January 4, 2006. W217BC has a very small coverage area and can be heard in the immediate Fredericksburg and Falmouth areas.

WARN 91.5 218A

Format: Christian Programming // WAFR 88.3 Tupelo MS On-Air Positioning: American Family Radio Community Of License: Culpeper VA Owner: American Family Association Website: afr.net Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 121' .93 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 27' 15" N 77° 59' 10" W FCC Facility ID: 79157 Frequency Background: Best heard in Culpeper, north Orange and southern Fauquier counties. The original CP was granted in December 1996. AFA has over 100 full-power, translator and affiliate stations around the country, four in Virginia, with most relaying "American Family Radio" WAFR/88.3 Tupelo MS. A little background info on AFR... In 1987, American Family Association President Don Wildmon wanted to use satellite and the latest technology at the time to build hundreds of American Family Radio stations across America. Wildmon wanted to use these radio stations to inform Christians about what is happening. Reading 'Broadcasting' magazine in 1987, Wildmon ran across an article stating that the Federal Communications Commission would allow non-commercial FM stations to deliver their signal to local communities via satellite. He realized the vast potential and relative economic costs of such a system, AFA filed for a station in their hometown of Tupelo MS. It took four years to get a CP (construction permit) the FCC to construct the station. It was necessary this station before a signal could be transmitted to satellite. The Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, the group which is responsible for state funded radio stations, tried to block AFA from getting the station. MATA didn't want to build a station themselves, they simply didn't want AFA to be able to build the station for which AFA had applied. Four years later in February 1991, AFA received permission to build their station - WAFR. The station went on the air in August of that year. In February 1993, the first translator station went on the air in Jackson TN. Gradually the number of stations began to grow. AFR has built more stations in a shorter time than any other broadcaster in the history of broadcasting. In 1995, AFA begin their news department. AFR's schedule contains about 70% music and 30% talk. Musically, AFR is light contemporary with a mixture of older songs.

WFLS-FM 93.3 227B

Format: Country On-Air Positioning: 93.3 WFLS Community Of License: Fredericksburg Owner: The Star Radio Group HD Radio™:  HD1 - Format: Country           On-Air Positioning: 93.3 WFLS, Real Country Variety HD2 - Format: Urban Adult Contemporary           On-Air Positioning: The Vibe 93.3 RDS:  PS (Program Service) 93 WFLS TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): COUNTRY Website:  wfls.com thevibe933.com Internet Audio Stream: Analog/HD1: None   HD2: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 492' 50 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 38° 18' 46" N 77° 26' 20" W FCC Facility ID: 65641 Frequency Background: Started broadcasting in HD Radio in 5/2006. Its long-running country format has made it the number one rated station since 1975 in the Fredericksburg area. WFLS-FM first signed on the air in 1960 and is named for the Fredericksburg newspaper - Free Lance-Star, which owns the station along with WYSK-AM 1350, and WYSK-FM 99.3. Can also be heard in Richmond's northern suburbs and Northern Virginia.

WGRQ 95.9 240A

Format: 60s-70s Hits On-Air Positioning: SuperHits Of The 60s & 70s Community Of License: Fairview Beach VA Owner: Telemedia Broadcasting Website: 959wgrq.com Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 595' 1.9 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 13' 44" N 77° 7' 28" W FCC Facility ID: 64922 Frequency Background: The FCC granted Telemedia Broadcasting's WGRQ/95.9 to change its COL (community of license) from Colonial Beach to Fairwiew Beach in late 4/2010. WGRQ is still broadcasting from the same tower location but the antenna is higher up on the tower. With that, they had to slightly decrease the power to fully comply with a Class A licensed station. Shifted focus to 60s-70s hits on Monday, 1/17/05. Previously known as "Virginia's Rockin' Oldies 95.9" when the format was 50-70s Oldies. WGRQ started operations in 1986 and has studios in Fredericksburg. Is affiliated with ABC Radio Networks Pure Gold. WGRQ won ABC Radio Networks "Oldies Station of the Year" 1998 and 1999 and received from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce "Small Business of the Year" in 1999. Can also be received in the northern suburbs of Richmond. Their contacts are Telemedia Broadcasting Inc/4414 Lafayette Blvd Suite 100/Fredericksburg VA 22408/540-891-9696/540-891-1656 (Fax).

WWUZ 96.9 245A

Format: Classic Rock On-Air Positioning: Classic Rock 96.9 Community Of License: Bowling Green VA Owner: The Star Radio Group Website: classicrock969.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 472' 2.95 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 57' 56" N 77° 22' 19" W FCC Facility ID: 55174 Frequency Background: Segued back to classic rock in February 2002. WWUZ is dead smack in between two markets - Richmond and Fredericksburg and has a very hard time finding an audience in either market. First signed on in October 1998 broadcasting classic rock. In April 2000, they shifted more towards a classic hits format. Their studios are located at in The Free Lance–Star building at 616 Amelia St in Fredericksburg. Co-owned with WFLS-FM and WYSK-FM/AM.

W249BF 97.7 249D

Format: BBN - Religious // WYFJ Ashland (Richmond) VA On-Air Positioning: Where You Find Joy Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: BBN - Bible Broadcasting Network Website: bbnradio.org Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 249' .019 kW Service Designation: FX — Translator (Retransmitting) Facility / Class D Transmitter Site: 38° 21' 16" N 77° 30' 47" W FCC Facility ID: 5103 Frequency Background: Best heard in Fredericksburg and points north.

WVBX 99.3 257A

Format: Contemporary Hit Radio On-Air Positioning: 99-3 The Vibe RDS:  PS (Program Service) 993 WVBX TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): CHR Community Of License: Spotsylvania VA Owner: The Star Radio Group Website: 993thevibe.com Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 328' 3 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 8' 31" N 77° 41' 38" W FCC Facility ID: 22484 Frequency Background: Changed the call letter from WWVB-FM to WVBX on 8/13/2009. Dropped Alternative "99-3 WYSK - The Rock Alternative" at noon on 1/7/2008 for CHR "99-3 The Vibe" WWVB-FM. Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback” was the first track heard on the new Vibe. Segued from modern rock to alternative on March 4, 2002. Was known as 'Y-99.3' when modern rock. Simulcasts with their AM, WYSK 1350. Owned by the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star newspaper along with WFLS-FM (93.3) and WWUZ (96.9). Can also be heard in Richmond's northern suburbs.

WLMP-LP 99.9 260L1

Format: On-Air Positioning: Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: Calvary Chapel of Fredericksburg Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 117' .071 kW / LPFM stations are considered nondirectional Service Designation: FL — FM Low Power Application or Authorization / Class L1 Transmitter Site: 38° 18' 31" N 77° 24' 13" W FCC Facility ID: 126648 Frequency Background: Signed-on in late September 2006. Original CP granted on October 20, 2003. Took WLMP-LP calls on 8/3/05.

W264BD 100.7 264D

Format: Religious // WTRM/91.3 Winchester VA On-Air Positioning: Community Of License: Aquia Harbour VA Owner: Edgewater Broadcasting Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 344' .002 kW Service Designation: FX — Translator (Retransmitting) Facility / Class D Transmitter Site: 38° 30' 41.2" N 77° 22' 28.1" W FCC Facility ID: 155019 Frequency Background: A full-time translator of WTRM/91.3 Winchester VA. Original CP (Construction Permit) granted on 5/25/2004.

WBQB 101.5 268B

Format: Hot AC On-Air Positioning: B101.5 Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: Centennial Broadcasting Website: b1015.com Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 492' 50 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 38° 19' 57" N 77° 23' 41" W FCC Facility ID: 41812 Frequency Background: Announced mid-May 2007 that Mid Atlantic Network was selling all six of their stations (WINC/92.5 Winchester, WBQB/101.5 Fredericksburg, WFVA/1230 Fredericksburg, WINC/1400 Winchester, WWRE/105.5 Berryville/Winchester, WWRT/104.9 Strasburg) to Centennial Broadcasting for $35.972M. Co-owns Hot AC WINC and classic rock simulcast WWRT/WWRE (the former 'Apple Country' WAPP/WPBB). Along with country WFLS, WBQB is one of the top stations in Fredericksburg. WBQB was originally WFVA-FM and first signed on in 1962. It became WBQB in 1989. Has a strong signal that also reaches the northern suburbs of Richmond and southern suburbs of Washington DC.

WJMA-FM 103.1 276A

Format: Country On-Air Positioning: WJMA Community Of License: Culpeper VA Owner: Piedmont Communications HD Radio™:  HD1 - Format: Country           On-Air Positioning: WJMA HD2 - Format:           On-Air Positioning: Website: wjmafm.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 1027' .6 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 18' 38" N 78° 0' 12" W FCC Facility ID: 14710 Frequency Background: Since 1957. Swapped WCUL (98.9) calls for WJMA-FM on 3/22/2004. Previously known as Cruisin' Country C103 until March 2004. Was owned by Culpeper Broadcasting until fall 2002 then Joyner Radio Inc, very briefly, then Piedmont Communications in August 2003. Their tower is located atop Clarke Mountain. WJMA studios are on Spicers Mill Road in Orange VA 22960. Also owns WVCV-AM/Orange, WCVA-AM/Culpeper, WOJL-FM/Louisa. Is also commonly heard in Washington's southwestern suburbs.

WGRX 104.5 283A

Format: Rock Country On-Air Positioning: Thunder 104.5 - Country That Rocks RDS:  PS (Program Service) WGRX1045 TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): COUNTRY Community Of License: Falmouth VA Owner: Telemedia Broadcasting Website: thunder1045.com Internet Audio Stream: LISTEN LIVE! Audio Clip: 5/17/2001 - WGRX-FM: Rock Country "Thunder 104.5" 1:41 * (Real Networks) Facilities: 492' 2.7 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 16' 31" N 77° 32' 34" W FCC Facility ID: 62205 Frequency Background: First signed on May 17, 2001 at 7PM with "Thunder 104.5 - Country That Rocks" format. Owned by Telemedia along with WGRQ (95.9 FM). Has the popular 'John Boy & Billy' syndicated morning show. WGRX is attempting to chip away at market leader country '93 WFLS'. Just recently, they have made some major in-roads. In the Spring 2002 survey, they placed second in "Men 18-34." That's a great accomplishment - Fredericksburg's listeners have a lot of radio options. Their contacts are Telemedia Broadcasting Inc/4414 Lafayette Blvd Suite 100/Fredericksburg VA 22408/540-891-9696/540-891-1656 (Fax). * Sign-on audio clip at 7PM.

WOJL 105.5 288A

Format: Adult/Variety Hits On-Air Positioning: SAM 105.5 Community Of License: Louisa VA Owner: Piedmont Communications HD Radio™:  HD1 - Format: Adult/Variety Hits           On-Air Positioning: SAM 105.5 HD2 - Format:           On-Air Positioning: RDS:  PS (Program Service - Dynamic) SAM FM TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): OLDIES Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Audio Clip: None Facilities: 324.72' 6 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 38° 1' 37" N 78° 1' 5" W FCC Facility ID: 41899 Frequency Background: Dropped 60s-70s Oldies as "Oldies 105" for "SAM 105.5" at 12 noon on Saturday, July 2, 2005. Previously owned by Mid-Virginia Broadcasting Corp until 5/27/2004 as "Country 105" WLSA. Piedmont took control Thursday night at midnight (5/27/2004). The crew pulled all nighters Thursday and Friday to get the new 105.5 on the air in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Installing new equipment and making transmitter repairs, they got the station up at noon Saturday -- just 36 hours. That weekend, "Oldies 105" did a special "Sixties Beach Party." The regular format debuted on Tuesday 6/1/2004 -- "Good Times and Great Oldies" focusing on the 60s and 70s. 105.5 has been broadcasting in Louisa since July 1980 and covers a nine county listening area including Charlottesville and Richmond's West End.

WURA 920

Format: Tejano On-Air Positioning: Community Of License: Quantico VA Owner: Capital Broadcasting Corp Website: Internet Audio Stream: Facilities: 7 kW day | 0.97 kW night / DA2 - Directional Antenna: Different constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 38° 34' 5" N 77° 20' 20" W FCC Facility ID: 160224 Frequency Background: Started testing the signal in December 2009 with Christmas music. Debuted Tejano format after the holidays. Late 2009, WURA was in the process of changing hands from Prince William Broadcasting to Capital Broadcasting VA, LLC. Prince William Broadcasting (which is made up of five partner companies, Dale City Broadcasting 25.5%; Cleo Broadcasting 15%; Bay Broadcasting, Lexington Park Broadcasting and Moonglow Broadcasting each 11.33%.) is selling the station for $205,584. New call letters, WURA, granted on 10/25/2007. Requested (9/2007) and granted (3/2008) increase of daytime power from 2kW to 7kW. Licensee now known as Capital Broadcasting Corporation. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has granted Prince William Broadcasting LLC (PWB) a CP (construction permit) for a brand new AM radio station on 920 to be licensed to Quantico, VA. The CP calls for the station to do 2,000 watts during the day and 970 watts at night. The new AM station is considered part of the Washington DC Arbitron Metro. PWB consists of six media companies including Mike Powell's Bay Broadcasting the licensee of WBEY/97.9 Crisfield MD and runs Birach's WGOP/540 and Great Scott's WKHW/106.5, both Pocomoke City MD.

WFVA 1230

Format: News/Talk On-Air Positioning: NewsTalk 1230 Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: Centennial Broadcasting Website: am1230wfva.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 1 kW unlimited / ND1 - Non-Directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 38° 16' 50" N 77° 26' 11" W FCC Facility ID: 41813 Frequency Background: Announced mid-May 2007 that Mid Atlantic Network was selling all six of their stations (WINC/92.5 Winchester, WBQB/101.5 Fredericksburg, WFVA/1230 Fredericksburg, WINC/1400 Winchester, WWRE/105.5 Berryville/Winchester, WWRT/104.9 Strasburg) to Centennial Broadcasting for $35.972M. Dropped all of their music on 1/5/04 to go fulltime News/Talk. Had been known as "The Memories Station" with Adult Standards in certain dayparts. In 2002, they added more 'talk' programs to much debate from WFVA listeners. Co-owned with WBQB 101.5 FM in Fredericksburg. WFVA dates back to 1939. Carries Washington Redskins football. Can also be heard in Richmond's far northern suburbs.

WVCV 1340

Format: Adult Standards/Talk // WCVA-AM 1490 On-Air Positioning: AM 1340 & 1490 Music & Memories Community Of License: Orange VA Owner: Piedmont Communications Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 1 kW unlimited / ND1 - Non-Directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 38° 15' 14" N 78° 7' 15" W FCC Facility ID: 54873 Frequency Background: Simulcasts with WCVA/1490 Culpeper. Co-owned with 103.1 WJMA-FM.

WYSK 1350

Format: Spanish Variety // WPWC/1480 Dumfries VA On-Air Positioning: Radio Fiesta Community Of License: Fredericksburg VA Owner: Free Lance-Star Publishing Website: radiofiesta1480am.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 1 kW day | 0.037 kW night / ND1 - Non-Directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: B Transmitter Site: 38° 18' 46" N 77° 26' 20" W FCC Facility ID: 65640 Frequency Background: Broke from simulcasting WYSK-FM (99.3) to Spanish (1350 Latino Mix) in December 2002. Being leased to and operated by Clara Marshall, 1350's general manager. Previously segued from modern rock to alternative on March 4, 2002. Was known as Modern Rock 'Y-99.3' when they simulcast with their FM, WYSK/99.3. Owned by the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star newspaper along WFLS-FM/93.3 and WWUZ/96.9. Can also be heard in Richmond's northern suburbs.

WCVA 1490

Format: Adult Standards/Talk On-Air Positioning: AM 1340 & 1490 Music & Memories Community Of License: Culpeper VA Owner: Piedmont Communications Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: .68 kW unlimited / ND1 - Non-Directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 38° 29' 4" N 77° 59' 22" W FCC Facility ID: 14711 Frequency Background: Was owned by Culpeper Broadcasting until fall 2002. Sold to Joyner Radio of NC and quickly swapped to Piedmont Communications. WCVA studios are located at 1 Radio Ln Culpeper VA 22701.

• Spotsylvania & North Stafford Counties channel line-up

This is the main frequency for the Fredericksburg area. Broadcasts at 1,000 watts of power 24 hours/day. The NWS office in Sterling (Washington DC) is responsible for programming. Background on NOAA Weather Radio... NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. Working with the FCC’s (Federal Communications Commission) new Emergency Alert System (EAS), NWR is an "all hazards" radio network, making it the single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the public. NWR now broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards - both natural (such as earthquakes and volcano activity) and technological (such as chemical releases or oil spills). Known as the "Voice of the National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NWR network has more than 480 transmitters, covering the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the public service band between 162.400 and 162.550 megahertz (MHz) on seven NWR frequencies which are: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz. Broadcast range from the weather radio transmitter is approximately 40 miles. The effective range depends on terrain, quality of the receiver, and indoor/outdoor antennas. Before you buy a receiver, make sure your area is covered by one of the transmitters. For the latest list of frequencies and transmitter locations, check the NOAA Weather Radio web site -- nws.noaa.gov/nwr. Believe it or not, several automobile manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover and Saab) equip their cars with radios capable of receiving NWR broadcasts. Several manufacturers of car radios (Audiovox, Clarion, and Panasonic) sell in-dash units capable of receiving NWR broadcasts. Manufacturers of citizen band radios with NWR channels include Cobra, Maxon, Midland, Radio Shack and Uniden.