| WYOT | |
| City: | Rochelle, Illinois |
| Area: | North Central Illinois |
| Branding: | 102.3 The Coyote |
| Frequency: | 102.3 MHz |
| Airdate: | October 5, 1973[1] |
| Format: | Country |
| Erp: | 6,000 watts |
| Haat: | 56m (184feet) |
| Class: | A |
| Facility Id: | 57269 |
| Callsign Meaning: | Coyote |
| Former Callsigns: | WRHL-FM (1973-2015)[2] |
| Owner: | Rochelle Broadcasting Company |
| Sister Stations: | WRHL |
| Website: | 1023thecoyote.com |
| Licensing Authority: | FCC |
WYOT (102.3 FM, "102.3 The Coyote") is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Rochelle, Illinois, the station serves the Rochelle and DeKalb areas. The station is owned by Rochelle Broadcasting Company.
The Coyote's programming includes Kris Wexell with Charles Van Horn news and sports plus Meteorologist Aaron Wilson weekday mornings, Susan Tyler weekday afternoons, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as The Sandy Show, Nights With Elaina, The Big Time Saturday Night, American Country Countdown, Country Top 30 With Bobby Bones and The Sam Alex Show .[3] [4]
The station began broadcasting on October 5, 1973, holding the call sign WRHL-FM, and was a sister station to WRHL 1060.[1] [5] The station initially simulcast the country music programming of WRHL 1060.[6] In 1994, the station's format was changed to adult contemporary, and the station was branded "The Hub".[6] [7] In 2006, the station's format was changed to adult hits, and the station was branded "102.3 Sam-FM".[6] The station aired programming from Dial Global's, along with local programming.[8] [9]
In December 2012, the station's format was changed to country music, and the station was branded "102.3 The Coyote".[10] In 2015, the station's call sign was changed to WYOT.[2] 102.3 The Coyote was named "Small Business of the Year" by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce in 2014.[11] In May 2014, Kris Wexell was recognized by the 98th General Assembly of Illinois for his work with The Coyote.[12] The Coyote was also named the Illinois National Guard's Small Market Station of the Year for 2014.[13] In 2016, 2017, and 2018, Kris Wexell was named by the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA), Illinois Radio Personality of the Year for small market, also placing 2nd for Best Morning Show in 2014 and 1st place in 2019, 2020 & 2021.[12] WYOT was also named as one of the Top 3 radio stations in the state of Illinois by the IBA in 2020. In 2024 Kris Wexell was chosen as one of Radio Ink's Best Program Directors in Country Radio at CRS in Nashville.
102.3 The Coyote also is a reporter for Mediabase, Music Row Country Breakout™ Chart & CDX TRACtion Weekly Chart.
102.3 The Coyote (WYOT-FM) was named 2022 Station of the Year for Small Market in the State of Illinois by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. 102.3 The Coyote (WYOT-FM) is the Nielsen Rated Number 1 Radio Station in DeKalb & Ogle Counties IL.