WJOX (AM)
WJOX (690 kHz, "Jox 3") is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It is owned by Cumulus Media and broadcasts a sports format. WJOX is the Birmingham affiliate of the UAB Blazers Radio Network (baseball only), the Tennessee Titans Radio Network and the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. It used to be the broadcast home of the Birmingham Barons. The station has studios and offices in Homewood.
| Broadcast area | Birmingham Metropolitan Area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 690 kHz |
| Branding | Jox 3 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Sports |
| Affiliations | CBS Sports Radio Fox Sports Radio University of Alabama Crimson Tide Football UAB Blazers (Baseball) Tennessee Titans Radio Network Atlanta Braves Radio Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WAPI, WJOX-FM, WJQX, WUHT, WZRR | |
| History | |
First air date | 1947 (as WVOK) |
Former call signs | WVOK (1947-1992) WJOX (1992-2006) WSPZ (2006-2010) |
Call sign meaning | JOX = "Jocks" (slang for athletes) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 16897 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 50,000 watts day 500 watts night |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°27′2″N 86°55′19″W |
| Links | |
| Website | wjoxam.com |
By day, WJOX broadcasts at 50,000 watts, the maximum for commercial AM stations. Because AM 690 is a Canadian and Mexican clear channel frequency, WJOX must significantly drop its power at sunset to 500 watts to avoid interference. It also uses a directional antenna at night. The transmitter is off Alabama State Route 5 (Bessemer Super Highway) at Cairo Avenue in Midfield, Alabama. WJOX is Alabama's primary entry point station for the Emergency Alert System.
Cumulus Media owns three sports stations in the Birmingham area. 94.5 WJOX-FM carries local sports shows as well as programming from the CBS Sports Radio Network. 100.5 WJQX in Helena is an affiliate of ESPN Radio and calls itself "Jox 2." 690 WJOX carries the Fox Sports Radio Network, using the moniker "Jox 3." The call sign refers to "Jocks," slang for athletes or the athletic supporter they wear.