WHCU

WHCU
Ithaca, New York;
Broadcast area	Central New York
Frequency	870 kHz
Branding	News-Talk 97.7 & 870
Programming
Format	News/talk
Network	CBS News Radio
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks; Premiere Networks; Salem Radio Network; Westwood One; Cornell University Big Red Sports
Ownership
Owner	Saga Communications; (Saga Communications of New England, LLC);
Sister stations	WFIZ, WIII, WNYY, WQNY, WYXL
History
First air date	May 27, 1922; 102 years ago (as WEAI)
Former call signs	8YC, 8XT, 8XU, WU6 (1915–1922); WEAI (1922–1932); WESG (1932–1940);
Call sign meaning	"Home of Cornell University" (original owner)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	18048
Class	B
Power	5,000 watts day; 1,000 watts night;
ERP	175 watts (translator)
Transmitter coordinates	42°27′54″N 76°22′23″W / 42.46500°N 76.37306°W (day) (night);
Translator(s)	97.7 W249DW (Ithaca)
Repeater(s)	95.5 WFIZ-HD3 (Odessa)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	whcuradio.com

WHCU (870 AM) is a commercial radio station in Ithaca, New York, that programs a news/talk radio format. The station has been owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Cayuga Radio Group, since 2005. The studios and offices are on Hanshaw Road in Ithaca.

By day, WHCU is powered at 5,000 watts non-directional. At night, to protect other stations on 870 AM, a clear channel frequency, WHCU reduces power to 1,000 watts using a directional antenna. Programming is simulcast on FM translator W249DW at 97.7 MHz.