WPPN is an FM radio station licensed to Des Plaines, Illinois that targets the Chicago metropolitan area. WPPN broadcasts on 106.7 MHz with a Spanish AC format. Due to WPPN's 50,000-watt signal and north suburban location, it can be heard through much of the Rockford and Southern Wisconsin area.
History
Request Radio
The station began broadcasting December 3, 1971, holding the call sign WYEN. The station was owned by Walt-West Enterprises. WYEN aired an all-request format branded "Request Radio", playing music requested by listeners. Contemporary and middle of the road music was played on the station. "Request Radio" continued airing on the station through the mid-1980s. In 1986, the station was sold to Flint Metro Mass Media for $8 million.
On September 1, 1986 the station's call sign was changed to WZRC, and the station adopted a hard rock/heavy metal format, becoming the first affiliate of the syndicated Z Rock network.
The Wave
In October 1987, the station's call sign was changed to WTWV, and the station adopted a new-age/smooth jazz/soft rock format as "The Wave". The station was an affiliate of the Satellite Music Network, with programming originating on KTWV in Los Angeles.
With the move of WYLL to 1160, 106.7's call sign was temporarily changed to WYLL-FM. In early March 2001, the station adopted Christian contemporary format branded "106.7 The Fish", with the slogan "Safe for the Whole Family". The station was launched with "40 days and 40 nights" of commercial free music. Shortly thereafter, the station's call sign was changed to WZFS. "The Fish" branding, a reference to the ichthys used in the station's logo, was also used by Salem for Christian contemporary stations in other markets, such as Atlanta, on WFSH-FM 104.7, and Los Angeles, on 95.9 KFSH-FM. In 2004, Salem agreed to trade WZFS and KSFB 100.7 in the San Francisco area to Univision in exchange for KOBT 100.7 in the Houston area, KHCK 1480 in Dallas, KOSL-FM 94.3 in Sacramento, and 560 WIND in Chicago.
On November 1, 2004, Univision launched a Spanish-language adult contemporary format on the station, branded "Pasion 106.7". The station's call sign was changed to WPPN shortly thereafter. In October 2005, Univision tweaked the music blend of WPPN, but left the name and the personalities of "Pasion" in place, with the station shifting to a Spanish oldies/adult hits format. On January 28, 2009, sister stationWVIV-FM changed its format to Spanish oldies and WPPN adopted a Spanish CHR/Hurban format as "La Kalle." On July 1, 2011, WPPN changed their format back to Spanish adult contemporary, and re-branded as "Pasion 106.7", while the previous "La Kalle" format moved to WVIV-FM 103.1 FM/WVIX 93.5 FM. In March 2014, WPPN rebranded as "Amor 106.7". WPPN also transmits in HD Radio. Spanish Rock music is broadcast on the HD2 station under the name "Planeta Rock - Solamente Rock en Espanol".