Broadcast Coverage Maps

FM Stations - Detail         FM Stations - Printable

AM Stations - Detail         AM Stations - Printable

FM Stations
WOJB		88.9	Hayward		W275AF	N	102.9	Ashland
WORT		89.9	Madison		W215AQ	N	90.9	Madison
[WHA-AM 970 Madison]					WERN		88.7	Madison
WLFM		91.1	Appleton		WHSA		89.9	Brule
WHAD		90.7	Delafield		WUEC	#	89.7	Eau Claire
WHID		88.1	Green Bay		WPNE		89.3	Green Bay
WHHI		91.3	Highland		WGTD		91.1	Kenosha
WHLA		90.3	La Crosse		WLSU		88.9	La Crosse
WHWC		88.3	Menomonie		WVSS	#	90.7	Menomonie
WRST		90.3	Oshkosh		WHND	N	89.7	Sister Bay
WHBM		90.3	Park Falls		WHRM		90.9	Wausau
WRFW	#	88.7	River Falls		W284AN	N	104.7	Ashland
WSHS	#	91.7	Sheboygan		WUWM		89.7	Milwaukee
WHDI	N	91.1	Sister Bay		WYMS		88.9	Milwaukee
KUWS	#	91.3	Superior		WXPR		91.7	Rhinelander
WLBL	N	91.9	Wausau		WXPW	N	91.9	Wausau
AM Stations
WLBL		930	Auburndale		WHA		970	Madison

General Comments

Public radio in Wisconsin is provided primarily by two statewide networks licensed to state entities. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System is licensee for radio stations WHA(AM), WHID, WRST, WRFW, KUWS, WUEC, WLSU and WVSS. The State of Wisconsin Educational Communications Board is licensee for radio stations WERN, WLBL(AM), WHAD, WHHI, WHLA, WHWC, WHBM, WHDI, WLBL, WHSA, WPNE, WHND and WHRM. The network led by WHA(AM) is primarily for news and information.  The WERN-led network combines news and classical music in its service. The networks are comprised of stations from both licensee groups. Programming for both networks originates primarily from studios in Madison; but there are bureaus at some stations to provide local or regional originations.  WLFM Appleton, WGTD Kenosha and WSHS Sheboygan are separately licensed but participate in the state networks.  Milwaukee receives state network programming from WHAD Delafield and also has two public radio stations, one licensed to the local branch of the state university and one to the local board of education.  Two community licensees and one station licensed to a Native American tribe complete the in-state public broadcasters serving Wisconsin.  Most Wisconsin residents who receive public radio can receive multiple program services.  Two AM stations are located in Wisconsin.  

FM Service  

The 1989 PTFP study reported that Wisconsin was served by 19 public FM stations.  Four additional stations have been activated since the 1989 coverage study.  Three of the new stations^­­__WHDI and WHND, both in Sister Bay, and WLBL Wausau -- are part of the state network.   The fourth station, WXPW, is also in Wausau and repeats the programming of WXPR Rhinelander.  WUEC Eau Claire, WVSS Menomonie, WRFW River Falls, KUWS Superior, and WSHS Sheboygan were all on the air prior to 1989 but did not meet the qualifications for inclusion in that study.   They are indicated on the station list with the # symbol. 

The signals of WUEC, WVSS, and WRFW provide service to Pierce, Repin, Dunn, and Eau Claire counties.  WHDI and WHND now provide service to Door County.  These areas were shown as unserved in 1989.

The percentage of Wisconsin's population receiving a signal has increased from 90% in 1989 to 94% currently.  The total number of residents not receiving a public radio signal has decreased from 454,000 in 1989 to 324,368.

AM Service

There are two AM public radio stations in the state.  WLBL(AM) 930 kHz Auburndale broadcasts during daytime only and operates at 5 kW.  WHA(AM) 970 kHz Madison broadcasts on an unlimited basis. Its operating power is 5 kW daytime and 51 watts at night.

Service from Adjacent States

Wisconsin residents living along the borders with Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois receive some out-of-state public radio service.

Unserved Areas

Region A  

There are 5,800 residents without public radio service in far northern Wisconsin in Bayfield and Ashland counties along Lake Superior and in Iron County on the border with Michigan.  

Region B  

In northwest Wisconsin, Burnett County and a segment of Polk County on the Minnesota border have 9,400 residents without public radio service.    

Region C 

In northeast Wisconsin, Marinette County on the Michigan border plus parts of Oconto, Forest and Langlade counties have 22,235 residents without public radio service.  

Region D

The largest area of Wisconsin without public radio coverage is a crescent stretching from northwest of Wausau south and east to the shore of Lake Michigan.  It includes all or parts of 11 counties: Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Sauk, Juneau, Adams, Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan.  Most of Wisconsin's unserved population, 205,500, resides in this area.   Residents of several of these counties receive daytime AM public radio service from WLBL or WHA.