WWGO

WWGO (92.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Classic rock format. Licensed to Charleston, Illinois, the station is owned by Cromwell Radio Group, through licensee The Cromwell Group, Inc. of Illinois.[4]

WWGO

CityCharleston, Illinois
Broadcast areaCharleston, Illinois
Mattoon, Illinois
Branding92.1 the Axe
SloganNothing But the Greatest Classic Rock of All-Time
We Are Classic Rock 92.1 The Axe
Frequency92.1 MHz (HD Radio)
Translator(s)103.9 W280EK (Mattoon, relays HD2)
First air dateOctober 1, 1965 (as WEIC-FM)[1]
FormatClassic rock
HD2: Sports "Victory 103.9"
ERP6,000 watts
HAAT100 meters
ClassA
Facility ID72317
Transmitter coordinatestype:city 39°31′40.00″N 88°21′23.00″W
Former call signsWEIC-FM (1965[2]-1993)[3]
WHQQ (1993-1997)[3]
OwnerCromwell Radio Group
(The Cromwell Group, Inc. of Illinois)
Sister stationsWMCI, WCBH
WebcastListen Live
Listen Live (HD2)
Websitewww.myradiolink.com/the-axe/
www.myradiolink.com/victory-103-9/ (HD2)

History

The station began broadcasting October 1, 1965, and originally held the call sign WEIC-FM.[1][2] The station was originally owned by Friendly Broadcasters, Inc.[2] In 1967, the station was sold to Community Communications Associates, along with its AM sister station.[2][5]

The station originally simulcast the MOR format of its sister station WEIC 1270, but in December 1971, the station adopted a progressive rock format, while its sister station adopted a top 40 format.[6][1] By 1973, the station was simulcasting the top 40 programming of WEIC 1270 during the day, while airing country music from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and progressive rock 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.[7] In the following years, the station would return to simulcasting AM sister station most of the time.[8] The station was purchased by Withers Broadcasting in 1975.[2] In 1980, the station was sold to Macomb Broadcasting Co., along with its AM sister station, for $700,000.[9]

By 1984 the station was airing an adult contemporary format, separate from its AM sister station.[10] In 1984, the station was sold to Steve Garman, along with its AM sister station, for $628,000.[11] The station continued airing an adult contemporary format into the early 1990s.[12]

In 1993, the station's call sign was changed to WHQQ,[3] and the station adopted an oldies format, playing music from the late 1950s to the early 1970s.[13][14] The station was sold to The Cromwell Group later that same year.[15] In 1997, the station's call sign was changed to WWGO,[3] and the station's format was changed from oldies to dance/CHR, branded "The Party", with the WHQQ call sign and its oldies format moving to 98.9.[16] By 2002, the station was airing a rock format.[17]

References
  1. Broadcasting Yearbook 1971, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-60. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  2. History Cards for WWGO, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  3. Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  4. WWGO fcc.gov. Accessed September 29, 2012
  5. History Cards for WEIC, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  6. "Charleston to Top 40 & Rock", Billboard, January 1, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  7. Hall, Claude. "Vox Jox", Billboard, October 20, 1973. p. 34. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  8. Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. C-63. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  9. "Changing Hands", Broadcasting, February 25, 1980. p. 77. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  10. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-76. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  11. "Changing Hands", Broadcasting, April 9, 1984. p. 94. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  12. The M-Street Radio Directory. 1992/1993. p. 137. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  13. "WEIC-FM Changes Format, Call Letters", Journal Gazette. May 5, 1993. p. A9.
  14. The M-Street Radio Directory. 1994. p. 146. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  15. "Proposed Station Transfers", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 29. July 21, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  16. "Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 45. November 12, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  17. Devine, Cathy (2002). The M-Street Radio Directory. 11th Edition 2002-2003. p. 185. Retrieved July 14, 2018.

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