{{short description|Radio station in Palatka, Florida}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox radio station | country = US | name = WPLK | logo = | city = Palatka, Florida | area = | branding = ''WPLK 800 AM'' | frequency = 800 kHz | translator = 98.3 W252DL (Killearn) | airdate = 1957 (as WSUZ) | format = Soft Oldies | power = 1,000 watts day<br>334 watts night | class = B | facility_id = 54721 | coordinates = {{coord|29|39|7.00|N|81|35|32.00|W|region:US_type:city}} | callsign_meaning = '''W''' '''P'''a'''L'''at'''K'''a | former_callsigns = '''WSUZ''' (1957-July 13, 1990)<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=54721&Callsign=WPLK54721 WPLK's callsign history on the F.C.C.'s website; retrieved January 23, 2019.]</ref> | affiliations = | owner = Natkim Radio, LLC | licensee = | sister_stations = WIYD | webcast = [http://wplk.streamon.fm/ Listen Live] | website = [https://putnamradio.com/wplk/ putnamradio.com/wplk] | licensing_authority= FCC }} '''WPLK''' (800 AM) is a radio station licensed to Palatka, Florida, broadcasting a soft oldies radio format. The station is currently owned by Radio Palatka, Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WPLK |title=WPLK Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}</ref> Programming is also heard on FM translator station '''W252DL''' at 98.3 MHz in the Killearn district of East Palatka, Florida.
==History== The station first signed on in 1957 as '''WSUZ'''.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1957/Radio-AL-MT-1957-BC-YB.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1957 page 86]{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=fcchistory>{{cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=67397|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|title=FCC History card for WSUZ}}</ref> The station was owned by Raymac Inc. (Raymond P. McMillin and Carmen Macri), and was a daytimer, required to be off the air at night to avoid interfering with other stations on AM 800.
In 1957, Mr. Carmen Macri (the Mac of Raymac) was identified as the co-owner of the station, as well as WQIK in Jacksonville, Florida and WWOK in Charlotte, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/317309688/?terms=Wsuz|url-access=subscription|title=Radio station may be sold in Jacksonville|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=31 Mar 1957|page=11-A}}</ref>
In 1958, the license was transferred to just Mr. McMillin.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCC approves Florida radio station changes|publisher=Tampa Tribune|date=12 Jun 1958|page=4-A|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/323884025/?terms=WSUZ|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
In 1961, an application was filed to transfer the license to WSUZ, Inc, however that transfer was not completed. In 1962, the station went into receivership under the custody of George J. Duck. In May 1963, the license was transferred to Bullock and Strickland, and in 1967 to just Wayne E. Bullock as Radio Station WSUZ. Mr. Strickland was a Washington, D.C.–based attorney and part owner of the station.
As of 1969, the station was an affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/224561372/?terms=WSUZ%2B800|url-access=subscription|title=Nation Observing 25th anniversary of G.I. Bill|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|date=22 June 1969|page=2-A|first=Col. W. H.|last=Boshoff}}</ref>
In 1977, the station moved to a new transmitter location and studio. The studio had been at 309½ St John Avenue and was moved to old San Mateo Road.
In 1978, the station license was assigned to W. G. Enterprises, Inc. for a reported $155,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Radio Station OK'd|publisher=Florida Today|date=12 March 1978|page=20C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/124806431/?terms=WSUZ|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The 1978 license renewal was in the name of Radio Palatka, Inc., which controlled the license until 2010.
In 1986, the station was airing country western music, and broke format to do a political interview with unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Mark Goldstein.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Democratic gubernatorial candidate backs Martinez|publisher=Tampa Tribune|date=19 Oct 1986|page=B-1|first=Bruce|last=Dudley|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/124806431/?terms=WSUZ|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
As of 1987, the station was an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves' baseball radio network <ref>{{cite news|title=WMMA, WLLD to tune in limited baseball for '87|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|date=3 April 1987|page=c-2|first=Bill|last=Marx|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/229188365/?terms=Wsuz|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In 1990, Radio Palatka was assigned to the trustee oversight of Valarie J Hall of Jacksonville, Florida. That is when the call sign was changed to the current WPLK.
In 1997, the station was returned to the control of Wayne E. Bullock, Barbara K. Bullock, James M. Hester and Gail B. Hester.
An attempt was made in 2007 to sell the station to Radio Florida LLC for $400,000 with a stated intent to move the station from Putnam County and diplex the signal with WIYD. Shortly thereafter, another application was filed to transfer the license to Flagler County Broadcasting LLC, with James E Martin having a 70% controlling interest in the ownership; however neither sale was completed and the license remained with Radio Palatka, Inc.
In 2010, the station license was transferred to NATKIN, LLC, (Charles E. Alford, Jr) the current licensee. The sales price reported to the FCC was $425,000.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{AM station data|54721|WPLK}} *{{FCC-LMS-Facility|143894|W252DL}} *{{FXL|W252DL}}
PLK Category:1957 establishments in Florida Category:Radio stations established in 1957