WFTU-AM 640
Orlando

Original Call Letters: WFTU
Originally Licensed: 1968
Power: 3 watts                       
Original Format: Variety

Owner(s): Florida Technical University

History Of Call Letters and Formats: WFTU-1968-

                                                         
                                                         
History of WFTU-AM 
Thanks to Todd Hyder for this information on WFTU-AM.
WFTU-AM operated on 640 KHz using "carrier current."  No FCC license required for the on-air folks.  It's effective range was limited to the dormitories/campus and the signal began to fade out once one drove across Alafaya Trail.  In the evenings, interference from a powerhouse station in Cuba could play havoc and would often override the anemic 2-3 watt signal of WFTU.  In 1973, the station was located in the same building as the university's library.  The "director" of the station was Dr. Tom Morgan, and the chief engineer who kept everything patched together was Art Carlson. Michael W. Lowe was the music director and made sure everyone showed up for the shifts to which they were assigned.  From time to time, Vince McGough (who had a full time air shift at WDBO) helped out providing some on-air instruction to the bumbling & nervous student staff, as well as lending a hand when one of the machines went on the fritz (it was all donated hand-me-down gear). Vince also helped students prepare for their 3rd class FCC license.  This "ticket" was a must-have if one was to get hired on at a local broadcast station.

                                                 
Names in WFTU-AM History
Rick Stacy-signed on the 10,000 watt station for the Campus Radio/TV Program where he served as the Program Director and Manager for two years.
Michael W. Lowe-Biography-Music Director
Todd Hyder-1973-76
Dr. Tom Morgan-Station Director
Art Carlson-Chief Engineer
Vince McGough

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