WHIZ-FM, or Z-102 as it is referred to now, began operation in 1961. Today, Z-102 is a 50,000-watt directional station. We are the “Right choice for the best music” serving Zanesville, Muskingum and the surrounding counties.

Z-102 has been going through quite a growth over the past few years. With the building of a new tower for our TV stations, it was decided to keep the Z-102 transmitter facility here at the Downard Rd. location, where it has been since first signing on the air in 1961. Housed on the new TV tower is a new antenna for Z-102.  The antenna is side mounted just below the TV antenna.

WHIZ-FM first went on the air with a RCA 5D transmitter. In later years, this transmitter was upgraded to a 10KW transmitter, allowing us 20,000 watts effective radiated power. Z-102 currently uses a Harris FM-20K transmitter. The transmitter went into service in 1978, as part of our beginning into stereo broadcasting. The transmitter uses 3 tubes. (2) 4CX250B tubes are used as the IPA (intermediate power amplifier) and a 4CX15000A is used as the final amplifier for the transmitter. The exciter that is currently used is a Harris digital exciter. 

In 1985, we were faced with a decision to either increase power and utilize a directional antenna, or decrease power. After engineering studies were completed, we decided that increasing the power with a directional antenna was in the best interest of our listeners. With this change in power came a new antenna and changes made to the transmitter. This was completed in the fall of 1985.

We have a state of the art studio facility for Z-102. All primary source material is digital. Our music and commercials are played from a hard drive system. The heart of the studio is the digital AudioArts D75 console. The studio was completely rebuilt to improve guest functionality and improve audio quality. This studio also utilizes a 360 Systems Shortcut audio editor, as well as DAT and CD’s.