EARLY FM RADIO IN THE US

Stations as authorized by the FCC as of January 1, 1939

as noted in Broadcasting Yearbook, 1939

FM in 1939 was still largely experimental, hence the call signs using the mixed letter/number format. Stations were authorized to operate in one of two frequency groups, under Rule 1053, Group C and Group E. Most of the stations in this list actually were not FM, but high frequency AM stations.

Group C stations could use: 31.6, 35.6, 38.6, and 41.0 MHz.
Group E stations could use: 41.6, 86.5, 88.0, 111.0, 120.0, 240.0, and 500.0 MHz.

This list is alphabetical by state. The second call letters are the eventual call signs of the stations, although in many cases they have changed again in the industry consolidation of the 1990s.

Information Guide:

Los Angeles - W6XKG Ben S. McGlashan (KGFJ) 1,000w - 25.95
Los Angeles - W6XRE Ben S. McGlashan (KGFJ) 500w - E
Los Angeles - W6XDA Columbia Broadcasting System (KNX) 100w - C

COLORADO:
Denver - W9XLA KLZ Broadcasting Co. 100w - C

CONNECTICUT:
Hartford - W1XPW WDRC, Inc. 1,000w - 40.3

DISTRICT OF COLOMBIA:
Washington - W3XO Jansky & Bailey 1,000w - 40.3

ILLINOIS:
Chicago - W9XBS National Broadcasting Co. (WMAQ) CP-100w
Harrisburg - W9XTA Schonert Radio Service 500w - 26.5

INDIANA:
South Bend - W9XH South Bend Tribune (WSBT) 100w - 26.05

MARYLAND:
Baltimore - W3XES Monumental Radio Co. (WCAO) 200w - C
Baltimore - W3XEY Baltimore Radio Show (WFBR) 100w - C

MASSACHUSETTS:
Boston - W1XER Yankee Network 500w - C (TL: Sargents Purchase, N. H.)
Boston - W1XOJ Yankee Network 50,000w - 41.2 (TL: Paxton, Mass.)
Boston - W1XKA Westinghouse E. & M. Co. (WBZ) 50w - C
New Bedford - W1XEQ E. Anthony & Sons (WNBH) 100w - C
Springfield - W1XKB Westinghouse E & M Co. (WBZA) 500w - C

MICHIGAN:
Detroit - W8XWJ Evening News Ass'n (WWJ) 500w - C

MINNESOTA:
Minneapolis - W9XHW Columbia Broadcasting System (WCCO) 50w - C
Minneapolis - W9XTC Minnesota Broadcasting Corp. (WTCN) 150w - 26.05
St. Paul - W9XUP National Battery Broadcasting Co. (KSTP) 1,000w - 26.15

MISSOURI:
Kansas City - W9XER Midland Broadcasting Co. (KMBC) 50w - C
Kansas City - W9XA Commercial Radio Equipment Co. 1,000w - 26.45
St. Louis - W9XOK Star Times Publishing Co. (KXOK) 100w - C
St. Louis - W9XPD Pulitzer Publishing Co. (KSD) 100w - C

NEBRASKA:
Omaha - W9XUY Central States Broadcasting Co. (KOIL) 100w - C

NEW JERSEY:
Alpine - W2XMN Edwin H. Armstrong 40,000w - E
Alpine - W2XSN Paul Godley 1,000w - 41.8

NEW YORK:
Buffalo - W8XH WBEN, Inc. 100w - C
New York - W2XJI Bamberger Broadcasting Service (WOR) 100w - 26.3
New York - W2XDV Columbia Broadcasting System (WABC) 50w - C
New York - W2XDG National Broadcasting Co. (WJZ) 150w - 38.65
New York - W2XHG National Broadcasting Co. (WEAF) 150w - C
Rochester - W8XAI Stromberg-Carlson Co. (WHAM) 100w - C

OHIO:
Akron - W8XOY Allen T. Simmons (WADC) 100w - C
Cincinnati - W8XNU The Crosley Corp. (WLW) 1,000w - 25.95
Cleveland - W8XNT Radio Air Service Corp. (WHK) 50w - C

OKLAHOMA:
Oklahoma City - W5XAU WKY Radiophone Co. 100w - C

PENNSYLVANIA:
Philadelphia - W3XIR WCAU Broadcasting Co. 100w - C
Pittsburgh - W8XKA Westinghouse E & M. Co. (KDKA) 150w - C

TENNESSEE:
Chattanooga - W4XBW WDOD Broadcasting Corp. 100w - C
Memphis - W4XCA Memphis Commercial Appeal Co. (WMC) 250w - C
Nashville - W4XA National Life & Accident Ins. Co. (WSM) CP-1,000w - C

TEXAS:
Dallas - W5XD A. H. Belo Corp. (WFAA) 100w - C

VIRGINIA:
Norfolk - W3XEX WTAR Radio Corp. (WTAR) 50w - 26.05

WEST VIRGINIA:
Charleston - W8XNO Charleston Broadcasting Co. (WCHS) 50w - 26.1

WISCONSIN:
Superior - W9XJL Head of the Lakes Broadcasting Co. (WEBC) 250w - 26.1