By day, WFLI broadcasts with 50,000 watts, the maximum for commercial AM stations in the U.S. As 1070 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for KNXLos Angeles, WFLI must reduce power at night to 2,500 watts to avoid interference. It uses a directional antenna at all times.[3] Programming is also heard on 250–watt FM translatorW241AF at 96.1 MHz.[4] (which formerly carried WUSY-HD2) in addition to a second translator for coverage in areas located north of downtown Chattanooga, W262DQ at 100.3 MHz.[5]
WFLI signed on the air on February 20, 1961;63 years ago(February 20, 1961).[6] It broadcast with 10,000 watts by day but had to reduce power to 1,000 watts at night. WFLI played Top 40 hits, competing with the other Top 40 AM radio stations in the Chattanooga market such as 1490 WDXB and 1450 WOGA for the young adult market. The station's power was boosted to 50,000 watts in 1967 but it was still limited to 1,000 watts after sunset.[7]
In the 1960s and 70s, WFLI was a popular contemporary hits station in the Chattanooga area. It was nicknamed "Jet Fli". The station also held two concerts each year called "WFLI Jet-Fli Spectaculars". These concerts attracted large crowds to Memorial Auditorium. The WFLI Light in the Sky projected a spotlight in the sky, attracting listeners to businesses and events.
Country and Christian radio
By 1979, many radio listeners were moving to FM radio for their music, and the new WSKZ (KZ-106) captured a large part of WFLI's audience. After a two-year switch to a country music format, WFLI flipped to a Christian radio format in 1982, branding itself as "The Mid South's Most Powerful AM Gospel Station". It played Southern gospel music with some Christian talk and teaching shows.[8]
WFLI suffered money problems and it went dark on March 31, 2017. It stayed off the air for two months.
Talk radio
It returned to the air under new management with a talk radio format in May 2017.[9] On July 10, 2017, a one-day-only 1960s–1970s oldies format honored the station's heritage.
WFLI's former "Big Jet FLI" logo from the 2018-2023 era
Oldies
On April 23, 2018, the station returned to a 1960s and 1970s oldies music format featuring live and local DJs. WFLI also began carrying some special features highlighting the station's past through locally-produced programming such as the "Daily Downbeat" show featuring former station alumni from the station's original 'JET FLI' era of the 1960s and '70s along with other notable or retired broadcasters from other area stations from the same era.[11]
In July 2021, WFLI began to move from 1960s and 70s hits into an updated 70s and 80s classic hits format. It also added several top chart hits from the early to mid-1990s.[citation needed]
Return to talk
On June 5, 2023, WFLI returned to a conservative talk radio format. It once again carried the syndicated Rick & Bubba show in morning drive time. In middays and afternoons, it aired syndicated conservative talk hosts.
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