WAVF
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| City | Hanahan, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | South Carolina Lowcountry |
| Branding | 101.7 Chuck FM |
| Slogan | We Play Everything |
| Frequency | 101.7 MHz |
| First air date | March 11, 1985 (as WKZQ-FM) |
| Format | Adult Hits |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 238.4 meters |
| Class | C1 |
| Facility ID | 24776 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 33°56′14.00″N 78°57′53.00″W / 33.9372222°N 78.9647222°W |
| Former callsigns | WKZQ-FM (1983-2008) |
| Owner | Apex Broadcasting |
| Sister stations | WXST, WSPO, WCKN, WMXZ |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 1017chuckfm.com |
WAVF is a commercial radio station located in Hanahan, South Carolina, broadcasting to the Charleston area on 101.7 FM. WAVF airs an adult hits music format branded as "Chuck FM." Before moving to 101.7, the WAVF call sign had been on the 96.1 FM frequency in Charleston since 1985.
Founder and Tin Man Broadcasting Managing Partner Paul W Robinson (Emerald City Media Partners) launched WAVF on March 11, 1985 on 96.1 FM as "96 Wave" with sound effects of ocean waves over a period of a week. When the stunt was over, the station debuted with an Album Rock format. Over time, 96 Wave shifted its format to Alternative.
Atom Taler worked at 96 Wave nine years. For the last three of those years he was joined by Jim Voigt, known as "The Critic". Their popular morning show, which was beginning to decline, was replaced February 23, 1998 by Howard Stern. Ratings fell still further, but program director Rob Cressman pointed out ratings increased from a year earlier. He also said the station would improve with a format that relied less on alternative. After a year and a half, Stern had the market's no. 1 morning show. WAVF also brought back The Critic for afternoons.
Tin Man Broadcasting sold 96 Wave to Apex Broadcasting late in 2001.
On February 22, 2002, 96 Wave dropped Stern. Many advertisers did not like the show, so they would buy time on 96 Wave but not on Stern's show, or they avoided WAVF altogether. Stern's show also cost the station a lot, so airing his show just became too expensive. Dick Dale from WMMS in Cleveland replaced Stern. WMMS created the show to compete with Stern and began syndicating it to Clear Channel stations. But Dale, who knew The Critic, had left WMMS, so this show would be local. WAVF General manager Dean Pearce described Dale's show as "intelligent", while program director Greg Patrick described it as "fast-paced", pointing out that the show would include music. Dale described his show as radio's answer to The Daily Show.
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