WPER-AM 1340 
 Deland

Original Call Letters: WPER  (Construction Permit)

Originally Licensed: Nov. 26, 1940

Original City of License: Deland

Original Frequency: 1310

Origin of Call Letters: Initials of owner Paul E. Raymond

Original Power: 250 Watts

Original Location: 1050 Woodland Blvd

Original Format:

Network Affiliation(s):


Owner(s): 1940-Tropical Broadcasting

History Of  Call Letters and Formats:
WPER-1940-On 1310
WPER-1941-Frequency changed to 1340
WPER-1942-Construction permit returned to the FCC


History of WPER
On November 26, 1940 a construction permit was granted by the FCC to the Tropical Broadcasting Company of DeLand. The company consisted of Paul E. Raymond, the Dean of the Law College of Stetson University, G. M. Peek, an architect, Charles K. Tribble, a physician, E. K. Jones, a building contractor, V. M. Fountain a clothing merchant, W. H. Acree, a local Ford dealer, R. B. Lipcome, bank cashier, and J. Phil Wahle, a local merchant.  WPER, which was yet to take to the air, was required to change frequencies from 1310 to 1340 in 1941. The plan was to broadcast from 1050 Woodland Blvd. Due to the uncertainty of operating during war time, Tropical Broadcasting returned their construction permit to the FCC  on January 27, 1942.

Students To Study Radio
The Tampa Tribune
Jan. 12, 1941
Something new will be offered Stetson students this semester in the form of a course on "Radio Speaking" under the direction of Dr. Irving C. Stover, it was announced today. The course will tie up the theoretical and the practical with students trying out their talent at the newly christened local radio station, WPER, now managed by Tom Watson, Jr., of Tampa and formerly of the University of Florida. The DeLand station is headed by Dean Paul E. Raymond, dean of the law school with his initials repeated in the call letters.

Rivers' Son To Design New DeLand Radio Plant 
Deland, Aug. 23, 1941 (A.P.) 
E. D. Rivers, Jr., son of Georgia's former governor was named by the Tropical Broadcasting company today to supervise construction of DeLand radio station WPER and to manage the station when it opens in October. Paul E. Raymond, former Stetson law dean and now assistant state attorney general, is president of the company.

Orlando Sentinel Sep 20, 1941
The lack of some 10.000 pounds of copper wire Is delaying the construction of WPER. the DeLand radio station, we understand. Copper, of course is badly needed by the government, with the result that private industry isn't getting much of a look-in. WPER needs the copper to use for its antennae and ground system.


Names In WPER History
"Paul" Carl E. Raymond-1941-(Dean of the Law College, Stetson University)-President-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
G. Medwin Peek-1941- (Deland Architect/President of the Deland Baseball Association)-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
V.M. Fountain-1941-(clothing merchant at Victor Fountain Building 850 N. Woodland Blvd,)-Vice President-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
W.H. Acree-1941-(local Ford dealer)-Secretary Treasurer-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
R.B. Lipscombe-1941-( bank cashier)-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
J. Phil Wahle-1941-(Local retailer)-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
E. K. Jones-1941-( a building contractor)- Tropical Broadcasting Co.
Dr. Charles K. Tribble-1940-Tropical Broadcasting Co.
Tom Watson, Jr.-1941-Station Manager-Tropical Broadcasting Co.

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