WDAS-FM (105.3 MHz) is a commercial radio station, licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It carries an urban adult contemporary radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia. WDAS-FM is widely regarded as one of the originators of the Urban AC format, mixing R&B hits of the last 40 years with contemporary R&B. The studios and offices are located in Bala Cynwyd. WDAS-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 16,500 watts as a Class B station. The transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, off Wigard Avenue near the Schuylkill River. WDAS-FM broadcasts using HD Radio, with a simulcast of WTEL (airing Black Information Network programming) on the station's second digital subchannel. History WDAS-FM is considered to be a heritage radio station in Philadelphia, pioneering a format for adults in the African-American community. Widely regarded as an originator of the Urban Adult Contemporary format, WDAS-FM continues to be among the most popular stations in the Delaware Valley. Early years On September 1, 1959, WDAS-FM signed on the air, mostly simulcasting its AM sister station WDAS. The two stations were owned by Max Leon, who had acquired WDAS in 1950. Classical music was featured on Sundays on WDAS-FM, breaking away from the AM station's programming. By mid-1960s, FM stations were encouraged by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to air programming separate from their co-owned AM stations. WDAS-FM station moved to a classical music format exclusively. In April 1968, the format changed to an "underground" free form format. This short-lived period introduced much of the new voices of "progressive rock" radio, including Michael Tearson and Ed Sciaky. Other voices included popular Top 40 disc jockey Hy Lit from WIBG, and later a popular nighttime show by owner Max Leon's son Steve, who called himself "My Father's Son" on the air. Folk music host Gene Shay also did his program from WDAS-FM at this time. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, radio stations were under increased pressure by the Nixon administration through the FCC to censor music that involved drug content. Steve Leon ignored this directive and continued to play the music that was popular at the time. While playing Arlo Guthrie's "Coming Into Los Angeles", which referenced smuggling marijuana, Leon charged into the station and ripped the turntable arm off the record. Leon then fired his son and the other on-air staff. To fill the void, the AM station's staff