WPVM-LP

WPVM-LP (103.7 FM) is a non-commercial LPFM radio station licensed to Asheville, North Carolina. The station is owned by Friends of WPVM.

WPVM FM 103.7 (WPVM-LP)

Asheville, North Carolina United States
Broadcast area	20-mile radius over downtown Asheville, NC
Frequency	103.7 MHz
Branding	The Voice of Asheville
Programming
Languages	English
Format	Free-form radio
Affiliations	Pacifica Radio
Ownership
Owner	Friends of WPVM, Inc.
History
First air date	2003; 22 years ago (2003)
Former frequencies	103.5 MHz (2003–2013)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	133357
Class	L1
ERP	100 watts
HAAT	32.05 meters (105.2 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	35°35′48.8″N 82°13′19.2″W
Links
Public license information	LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	wpvmfm.org

History

WPVM's construction permit was issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 30, 2002. The station's first broadcast was in October 2003 under a Low Power FM Class 1 license for 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP). After years of financial problems, the station became dormant in 2011—2014. MAIN's board of directors subsequently voted to divest of WPVM to a newly-formed non-profit, Friends of WPVM, in October 2014. One of MAIN's directors attempted to prevent the transfer. There were several other allegations made against several parties during the dispute, one of which resulted in a $500,000 defamation suit against one board member.^[2][3] Despite the controversy that ensued, the FCC approved the license transfer on May 8, 2015.

After acquiring the license, Friends of WPVM's board, began a concerted effort to remedy the station's financial problems and replace its outdated equipment. As part of the group's improvements, the station moved from an apartment building to new quarters in the Self-Help Building in downtown Asheville.^[3]