WHPK-FM

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WHPK
File:Whpk.png
City of license Chicago
Slogan The Pride of the South Side[1]
Frequency 88.5 MHz
First air date March 22, 1968 (1968-03-22)[2]
Format College radio, community radio
ERP 100 watts
HAAT 37 meters (121 ft)
Class A (NCE)
Facility ID 69000
Callsign meaning Woodlawn/Hyde Park/Kenwood[2]
Former frequencies 88.3 MHz (1968–1985)
Owner University of Chicago
Website www.whpk.org

WHPK (88.5 FM)[3] is an American radio station based in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago, established in 1968. The station is owned by the University of Chicago, and operated by volunteer students and community members. WHPK's station manager and program director are elected by the station's student members and must be students themselves. The station's broadcast engineer is paid by the university.

History

Mitchell Tower, University of Chicago Reynolds Club building where the station's studios are located.

In 1968, WHPK was established when the campus secret Society of the Owl and Serpent disbanded, donating its funds and Reynolds Club office space to a student radio group. WHPK started broadcasting as a 15-watt FM station at 88.3 MHz on March 22, 1968. In 1985, WHPK upgraded to a 100-watt transmitter and moved to the current frequency of 88.5 MHz.[2]

WHPK was the first radio station to broadcast hip hop music in Chicago, and would become home to aspiring rappers throughout the years, including Common[3] and Kanye West.[4]

Content

Programming blocks are divided into classical, folk, international, jazz, public affairs, rap, rock, and specialty show formats.[1]

Notable

In 1984, WHPK's first rap show was established by Ken Wissoker.[5] DJ JP Chill has had a rap and hip hop show on WHPK since 1986.[6]

A long-running Saturday night show, The Blues Excursion, is hosted by a widely received radio personality named Arkansas Red.[7]

Recognition

In 2008, WHPK was awarded "Best College Radio Station" by Chicago Reader.[8]

References

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External links

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