Jump to content

WCKG: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 41°52′3.11″N 87°55′7.22″W / 41.8675306°N 87.9186722°W / 41.8675306; -87.9186722
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
PrimeBOT (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,042,455 edits
m →top: Task 30 - update Template:Infobox radio station following a redesign (+genfixes)
Mdann52 bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
29,706 edits
Task 15 - deleting templates AMQ/FMQ per TFDs
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WCKG
| name = WCKG
| logo = WCKG 1530-102.3 logo.png
| logo = WCKG 1530-102.3 logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[Elmhurst, Illinois]]
| city = [[Elmhurst, Illinois]]
| area = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| country = US
| branding = ''Sports Talk WCKG''
| area = [[Chicago metropolitan area]]
| slogan =
| branding = ''Sportsbook Radio Chicago''
| frequency = 1530 [[kHz]]
| frequency = 1530 [[kHz]]
| translator = 102.3 W272DQ (Elmhurst)
| translator = {{Radio Relay|102.3|W272DQ|Elmhurst}}
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1974|10|10}} (as WKDC)
| airdate = October 10, [[1974 in radio|1974]] (as WKDC)<ref name="BCYearbook1982">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1982/C%20Radio%20BC%20YB%201982%20All-4.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting/Cablecasting]], 1982. p. C-71. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| power = 760 [[watt]]s day only
| power = 760 [[watt]]s [[daytimer|days only]]
| class = D
| class = D
| facility_id = 32227
| facility_id = 32227
| coordinates = {{coord|41|52|3|N|87|55|7|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|52|3.11|N|87|55|7.22|W|region:US-IL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = [[Will County, Illinois|'''W'''ill]], [[Cook County, Illinois|'''C'''ook]], [[Kane County, Illinois|'''K'''ane]], [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPa'''G'''e]]<br>(also heritage calls for [[WCFS-FM]])
| callsign_meaning = [[Will County, Illinois|Will]], [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]], [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane]], [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]] (also heritage calls for [[WCFS-FM]])
| former_callsigns = WKDC ({{Start date|1974}}–{{End date|1994}})<br>WJJG ({{Start date|1994}}–{{End date|2012}})
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WKDC ({{Start date|1974}}–{{End date|1994}})|WJJG ({{Start date|1994}}–{{End date|2012}})}}
| affiliations = [[Fox Sports Radio]]
| affiliations = [[Fox Sports Radio]]
| owner = Arthur Dubiel
| owner = Arthur Dubiel
| licensee = DuPage Radio, LLC.
| licensee = DuPage Radio, LLC
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| sister_stations = [[Q101 Chicago]]
| sister_stations = [[Q101 (internet radio)|Q101 Chicago]]
| webcast = [http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/WCKG Listen Live]
| website = [https://wckg.com/ wckg.com]
| webcast = {{listenlive|http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/WCKG}}
| website = {{URL|https://wckg.com/}}
}}
}}


'''WCKG''' (1530 AM) is a [[radio station]] licensed to [[Elmhurst, Illinois]], United States. The station serves the Chicago area and is owned by DuPage Radio, LLC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WCKG |title=WCKG Facility Record |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division |accessdate=2009-11-09}}</ref> The station operates during daytime hours only. Hours of operation are determined by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC); daytime broadcasting varies monthly with the changes in sunrise and sunset. Due to its close proximity to 1530 WCKY in Cincinnati, OH, its coverage diminishes during the mid afternoon. The station is also heard on 102.3 FM through a translator in Elmhurst.
'''WCKG''' (1530 [[Hertz|kHz]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM broadcasting|AM]] [[radio station]] [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Elmhurst, Illinois]], and serving the [[Chicago metropolitan area]]. It broadcasts a [[sports radio]] [[radio format|format]] and is owned by DuPage Radio, LLC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WCKG |title=WCKG Facility Record |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division |access-date=2009-11-09}}</ref> WCKG is a [[Fox Sports Radio]] [[Network affiliate]]. It also carries the [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] ''[[The Ramsey Show|Ramsey Show]] with [[Dave Ramsey]]'' and some [[brokered programming]].

WCKG is powered at 760 [[watt]]s and is a [[daytimer]] station. Because [[1530 AM]] is a [[clear channel station|clear channel frequency]] reserved for [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class A]] stations [[WCKY (AM)|WCKY]] [[Cincinnati]] and [[KFBK (AM)|KFBK]] [[Sacramento]], WCKG uses a [[directional antenna]] and must go off the air at sunset to avoid interference. The [[transmitter]] is on Harvard Street in Elmhurst, between [[Interstate 88 in Illinois|Interstate 88]] and [[Interstate 294 in Illinois|Interstate 294]].<REF>https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Wckg&nav=home</REF> Programming is heard around the clock on 90-watt [[FM translator]] '''W272DQ''' at 102.3 [[Hertz|MHz]] in Elmhurst.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/info/W272DQ-FX Radio-Locator.com/W272DQ]</ref>


==History==
==History==
===WKDC===
===WKDC===
AM 1530 signed on the air October 10, 1974.<ref name="BCYearbook1982"/> The station's call letters were originally '''WKDC''' representing the signal coverage in Will, Kane, DuPage and Cook counties.<ref name="HistoryCards">[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=62201 History Cards for WCKG], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="RadioWaves">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves]'', MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> It ran 250 watts, during daytime hours only, and aired a [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road (MOR)]] format.<ref name="BCYearbook1976">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1976/C%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201976.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1976]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]], 1976. p. C-59. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands]", ''[[Chicago Tribune Magazine]]''. March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> It was owned by Frank and Lois Blotter, operating as DuPage County Broadcasters.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Ghrist">Ghrist, John R. (1996). ''Valley Voices: A Radio History''. Crossroads Communications. pp. 395-398.</ref> The studios were built for stereo (Cetec Sparta stereo audio equipment) although it was not until 1976 when the FCC authorized the station to test AM stereo. Daytime and night-time findings on AM stereo were presented at the 1977 NAB Convention in Washington, DC.
AM 1530 [[sign-on|signed on]] the air October 10, 1974.<ref name="BCYearbook1982">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1982/C%20Radio%20BC%20YB%201982%20All-4.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting/Cablecasting]], 1982. p. C-71. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> The station's [[call sign]] was originally WKDC representing the signal coverage in Will, Kane, DuPage and Cook counties.<ref name="HistoryCards">[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=62201 History Cards for WCKG], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="RadioWaves">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves]'', MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> It ran 250 watts, during daytime hours only, and aired a [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road (MOR)]] format.<ref name="BCYearbook1976">''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1976/C%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201976.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1976]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]], 1976. p. C-59. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands]", ''[[Chicago Tribune Magazine]]''. March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> It was owned by Frank and Lois Blotter, operating as DuPage County Broadcasters.<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Ghrist">Ghrist, John R. (1996). ''Valley Voices: A Radio History''. Crossroads Communications. pp. 395-398.</ref> The studios were built for stereo (Cetec Sparta stereo audio equipment) although it was not until 1976 when the FCC authorized the station to test AM stereo. Daytime and night-time findings on AM stereo were presented at the 1977 NAB Convention in Washington, DC.


In 1981, the station was sold to Robert Snyder's Snyder Broadcasting for $1 million, and it began airing [[show tunes]].<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-04-20.pdf Ownership Changes]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 20, 1981. p. 105. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref><ref name="BCYearbook1982"/> Snyder Broadcasting filed for bankruptcy on December 29, 1982, and the station was taken off the air in October 1983 and remained off the air for over a year until it was repurchased by Frank and Lois Blotter.<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref name="Crains"/><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-04-09.pdf Ownership Changes]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 9, 1984. p. 104. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> When it returned to the air, it began airing [[beautiful music]] and [[adult standards]].<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Radio-Guide-May-1985.pdf Chicago Radio Guide]''. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="RadioWaves"/> By the early 1990s, it was airing ethnic programming and [[big band]] music.<ref>Wilhelmson, Brenda. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-02-25-9001170010-story.html Radio in DuPage]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. February 25, 1990. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref>Reich, Howard. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-02-21-9303183325-story.html Air-Waives]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. February 21, 1993. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Airwaves-1993-Aug.pdf Station Formats]", ''Chicago Airwaves''. p. 13. August 1993. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>
In 1981, the station was sold to Robert Snyder's Snyder Broadcasting for $1 million, and it began airing [[show tunes]].<ref name="HistoryCards"/><ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-04-20.pdf Ownership Changes]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 20, 1981. p. 105. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref><ref name="BCYearbook1982"/> Snyder Broadcasting filed for bankruptcy on December 29, 1982, and the station was taken off the air in October 1983 and remained off the air for over a year until it was repurchased by Frank and Lois Blotter.<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref name="Crains"/><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-04-09.pdf Ownership Changes]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]''. April 9, 1984. p. 104. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> When it returned to the air, it began airing [[beautiful music]] and [[adult standards]].<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Radio-Guide-May-1985.pdf Chicago Radio Guide]''. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="RadioWaves"/> By the early 1990s, it was airing ethnic programming and [[big band]] music.<ref>Wilhelmson, Brenda. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-02-25-9001170010-story.html Radio in DuPage]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. February 25, 1990. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref>Reich, Howard. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-02-21-9303183325-story.html Air-Waives]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. February 21, 1993. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref><ref>"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Airwaves-1993-Aug.pdf Station Formats]", ''Chicago Airwaves''. p. 13. August 1993. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>


===WJJG===
===WJJG===
In 1994, the station was sold to Joe Gentile for $700,000 and its call sign was changed to '''WJJG'''.<ref name="Crains">Rose, Ronit Addis. "[https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19940528/ISSUE01/100012060/making-waves-in-radio-car-dealer-buys-jazz-station-let-the-blues-begin Making Waves in Radio Car Dealer Buys Jazz Station; Let the Blues Begin]", ''[[Crain's Chicago Business]]''. May 28, 1994. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="CallSign">[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=32227&Callsign=WCKG32227 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> The call letters stood for owner Joseph J. Gentile.<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/1989-wjjg-am-ownerpersonality-joe-gentile-passes-away WJJG-AM Owner/Personality Joe Gentile Passes Away]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. October 10, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> Joe's nickname was "The Baron of Barrington," where he owned a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership for many years.<ref name="Crains"/> Gentile hosted a program weekday mornings, featuring talk and adult standards.<ref name="Felshman">Felshman, Jeffrey. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/my-own-private-radio/Content?oid=915239 My Own Private Radio]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]''. April 22, 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> The station also featured brokered programming, including a show hosted by [[John H. Cox]], syndicated talk shows, and ''The Sounds of Sinatra'' with [[Sid Mark]].<ref name="Felshman"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=http://www.ilsenate.com/cache.asp?LinkID=62 |title=Talk show hosts aim for U.S. Senate|author-link=Robert Feder|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 22, 2003 |accessdate=September 18, 2019|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208103509/http://www.ilsenate.com/cache.asp?LinkID=62 |archivedate=December 8, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.wjjgam1530.com/sinatra.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030805061504/http://www.wjjgam1530.com/sinatra.htm|title=The Sounds of Sinatra|publisher=WJJG |archive-date=August 5, 2003 |accessdate=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.wjjgam1530.com/home.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418222151/http://www.wjjgam1530.com/home.htm|title=WJJG – 1530 AM – Chicago Radio – Joe Gentile|publisher=WJJG |archive-date=April 18, 2005 |accessdate=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
In 1994, the station was sold to Joe Gentile for $700,000 and its call sign was changed to WJJG.<ref name="Crains">Rose, Ronit Addis. "[https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19940528/ISSUE01/100012060/making-waves-in-radio-car-dealer-buys-jazz-station-let-the-blues-begin Making Waves in Radio Car Dealer Buys Jazz Station; Let the Blues Begin]", ''[[Crain's Chicago Business]]''. May 28, 1994. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="CallSign">[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=32227&Callsign=WCKG32227 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> The call letters stood for owner Joseph J. Gentile.<ref name="Ghrist"/><ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/1989-wjjg-am-ownerpersonality-joe-gentile-passes-away WJJG-AM Owner/Personality Joe Gentile Passes Away]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. October 10, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> Joe's nickname was "The Baron of Barrington," where he owned a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership for many years.<ref name="Crains"/>
Gentile hosted a program on weekday mornings, featuring talk and [[adult standards]].<ref name="Felshman">Felshman, Jeffrey. "[https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/my-own-private-radio/Content?oid=915239 My Own Private Radio]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]''. April 22, 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2019.</ref> The station also featured brokered programming, including a show hosted by [[John H. Cox]], syndicated talk shows, and ''[[Sid Mark|The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark]]''.<ref name="Felshman"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|url=http://www.ilsenate.com/cache.asp?LinkID=62 |title=Talk show hosts aim for U.S. Senate|author-link=Robert Feder|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 22, 2003 |access-date=September 18, 2019|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208103509/http://www.ilsenate.com/cache.asp?LinkID=62 |archive-date=December 8, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wjjgam1530.com/sinatra.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030805061504/http://www.wjjgam1530.com/sinatra.htm|title=The Sounds of Sinatra|publisher=WJJG |archive-date=August 5, 2003 |access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wjjgam1530.com/home.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418222151/http://www.wjjgam1530.com/home.htm|title=WJJG – 1530 AM – Chicago Radio – Joe Gentile|publisher=WJJG |archive-date=April 18, 2005 |access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


===WCKG===
===WCKG===
On September 19, 2012, AM 1530 changed its call letters to '''WCKG'''.<ref name="CallSign"/> In 2013, the station was sold to DuPage Radio, LLC for $290,000.<ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6090-wckg-am-1530-sold WCKG AM 1530 Sold]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. November 4, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> Arthur Dubiel is the majority owner, and his son, Matt runs the station.
On September 19, 2012, AM 1530 changed its call letters to WCKG.<ref name="CallSign"/> In 2013, the station was sold to DuPage Radio, LLC for $290,000.<ref>"[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6090-wckg-am-1530-sold WCKG AM 1530 Sold]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. November 4, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> Arthur Dubiel is the majority owner, and his son, Matt runs the station.


On June 27, 2017, the FCC approved WCKG to move its FM translator, W272DQ, to the top of [[Trump Tower (Chicago)|Trump Tower]] in Chicago.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1758729 Application Search Details – BPFT-20170612ABZ], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>
On June 27, 2017, the FCC approved WCKG to move its FM translator, W272DQ, to the top of [[Trump Tower (Chicago)|Trump Tower]] in Chicago.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1758729 Application Search Details – BPFT-20170612ABZ], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref>


On April 23, 2018, WCKG changed their format from news/talk/variety to sports, with programming from [[Fox Sports Radio]].<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167992/wckg-brings-fox-sports-to-chicago/ WCKG Brings Fox Sports to Chicago]", ''RadioInsight''. April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2019.</ref>
On April 23, 2018, WCKG changed their format from news/talk/variety to sports, with programming from [[Fox Sports Radio]].<ref>"[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167992/wckg-brings-fox-sports-to-chicago/ WCKG Brings Fox Sports to Chicago]", ''RadioInsight''. April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2019.</ref>

On March 10, 2020, WCKG launched new "Sportsbook Radio Chicago" branding, shifting its focus to content related to sports betting. The station reverted to its previous branding on March 30 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois|COVID-19 pandemic]], but later restored the new branding.

In March 2021, WCKG asked the FCC to lower its power to 190 watts and operate using a long wire antenna, as the State of Illinois enacted [[Eminent domain in the United States|eminent domain]] over its tower site for highway use. With the powerful Cincinnati AM radio station on the same channel, the coverage area of the station was greatly diminished. Its construction permit for 4,000 watts also expired, due to the fact that the loss of its transmitter site prevented the power increase.


==Translator==
==Translator==
Line 50: Line 59:
|freq1 = 102.3
|freq1 = 102.3
|fid1 = 151530
|fid1 = 151530
|watts1 = 90
|watts1 = 250
|haat1 = 51
|haat1 = 51
|class1 = D
|class1 = D
|city1 = Elmhurst, Illinois
|city1 = Elmhurst, Illinois
|coord1 = {{coord|41|50|33|N|88|0|9|W|region:US-IL_type:landmark|name=W272DQ}}
}}
}}


Line 65: Line 75:
*[http://wckg.com/ Official website of WCKG]
*[http://wckg.com/ Official website of WCKG]
*[http://www.DuPageRadio.com/ Local Suburban Chicago Advertising website for WCKG]
*[http://www.DuPageRadio.com/ Local Suburban Chicago Advertising website for WCKG]
{{AM station data|WCKG}}
{{AM station data|32227|WCKG}}
*{{FMQ|W272DQ}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|151530|W272DQ}}
*{{FXL|W272DQ}}
*{{FXL|W272DQ}}


{{Chicago Radio}}
{{Aurora-Elgin-Wheaton Radio}}
{{Sports Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{Sports Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{Daytime-only radio stations in Illinois}}
{{Daytime-only radio stations in Illinois}}
Line 78: Line 88:
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Daytime-only radio stations in Illinois|CKG]]
[[Category:Daytime-only radio stations in Illinois|CKG]]
[[Category:Elmhurst, Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 02:27, 13 July 2024

WCKG
Broadcast areaChicago metropolitan area
Frequency1530 kHz
BrandingSportsbook Radio Chicago
Programming
FormatSports
AffiliationsFox Sports Radio
Ownership
Owner
  • Arthur Dubiel
  • (DuPage Radio, LLC)
Q101 Chicago
History
First air date
October 10, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-10-10) (as WKDC)
Former call signs
  • WKDC (1974 (1974)–1994 (1994))
  • WJJG (1994 (1994)–2012 (2012))
Call sign meaning
Will, Cook, Kane, DuPage (also heritage calls for WCFS-FM)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID32227
ClassD
Power760 watts days only
Transmitter coordinates
41°52′3.11″N 87°55′7.22″W / 41.8675306°N 87.9186722°W / 41.8675306; -87.9186722
Translator(s)102.3 W272DQ (Elmhurst)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewckg.com

WCKG (1530 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Elmhurst, Illinois, and serving the Chicago metropolitan area. It broadcasts a sports radio format and is owned by DuPage Radio, LLC.[2] WCKG is a Fox Sports Radio Network affiliate. It also carries the nationally syndicated Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey and some brokered programming.

WCKG is powered at 760 watts and is a daytimer station. Because 1530 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A stations WCKY Cincinnati and KFBK Sacramento, WCKG uses a directional antenna and must go off the air at sunset to avoid interference. The transmitter is on Harvard Street in Elmhurst, between Interstate 88 and Interstate 294.[3] Programming is heard around the clock on 90-watt FM translator W272DQ at 102.3 MHz in Elmhurst.[4]

History

[edit]

WKDC

[edit]

AM 1530 signed on the air October 10, 1974.[5] The station's call sign was originally WKDC representing the signal coverage in Will, Kane, DuPage and Cook counties.[6][7] It ran 250 watts, during daytime hours only, and aired a middle of the road (MOR) format.[8][9] It was owned by Frank and Lois Blotter, operating as DuPage County Broadcasters.[6][10] The studios were built for stereo (Cetec Sparta stereo audio equipment) although it was not until 1976 when the FCC authorized the station to test AM stereo. Daytime and night-time findings on AM stereo were presented at the 1977 NAB Convention in Washington, DC.

In 1981, the station was sold to Robert Snyder's Snyder Broadcasting for $1 million, and it began airing show tunes.[6][10][11][5] Snyder Broadcasting filed for bankruptcy on December 29, 1982, and the station was taken off the air in October 1983 and remained off the air for over a year until it was repurchased by Frank and Lois Blotter.[10][12][13] When it returned to the air, it began airing beautiful music and adult standards.[10][14][7] By the early 1990s, it was airing ethnic programming and big band music.[15][16][17]

WJJG

[edit]

In 1994, the station was sold to Joe Gentile for $700,000 and its call sign was changed to WJJG.[12][18] The call letters stood for owner Joseph J. Gentile.[10][19] Joe's nickname was "The Baron of Barrington," where he owned a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership for many years.[12]

Gentile hosted a program on weekday mornings, featuring talk and adult standards.[20] The station also featured brokered programming, including a show hosted by John H. Cox, syndicated talk shows, and The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark.[20][21][22][23]

WCKG

[edit]

On September 19, 2012, AM 1530 changed its call letters to WCKG.[18] In 2013, the station was sold to DuPage Radio, LLC for $290,000.[24] Arthur Dubiel is the majority owner, and his son, Matt runs the station.

On June 27, 2017, the FCC approved WCKG to move its FM translator, W272DQ, to the top of Trump Tower in Chicago.[25]

On April 23, 2018, WCKG changed their format from news/talk/variety to sports, with programming from Fox Sports Radio.[26]

On March 10, 2020, WCKG launched new "Sportsbook Radio Chicago" branding, shifting its focus to content related to sports betting. The station reverted to its previous branding on March 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but later restored the new branding.

In March 2021, WCKG asked the FCC to lower its power to 190 watts and operate using a long wire antenna, as the State of Illinois enacted eminent domain over its tower site for highway use. With the powerful Cincinnati AM radio station on the same channel, the coverage area of the station was greatly diminished. Its construction permit for 4,000 watts also expired, due to the fact that the loss of its transmitter site prevented the power increase.

Translator

[edit]

The station is also heard on 102.3 FM through translator W272DQ in Elmhurst.

Broadcast translator for WCKG
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W272DQ 102.3 FM Elmhurst, Illinois 151530 250 51 m (167 ft) D 41°50′33″N 88°0′9″W / 41.84250°N 88.00250°W / 41.84250; -88.00250 (W272DQ) LMS

See also

[edit]

Joseph J. Gentile Center

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCKG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "WCKG Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
  3. ^ https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Wckg&nav=home
  4. ^ Radio-Locator.com/W272DQ
  5. ^ a b Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1982. p. C-71. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c History Cards for WCKG, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Chicagoland Radio Waves, MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  8. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1976, Broadcasting, 1976. p. C-59. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. p. 37. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. pp. 395-398.
  11. ^ "Ownership Changes", Broadcasting. April 20, 1981. p. 105. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c Rose, Ronit Addis. "Making Waves in Radio Car Dealer Buys Jazz Station; Let the Blues Begin", Crain's Chicago Business. May 28, 1994. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  13. ^ "Ownership Changes", Broadcasting. April 9, 1984. p. 104. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  14. ^ Chicago Radio Guide. Vol. 1, No. 1. May 1985. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  15. ^ Wilhelmson, Brenda. "Radio in DuPage", Chicago Tribune. February 25, 1990. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  16. ^ Reich, Howard. "Air-Waives", Chicago Tribune. February 21, 1993. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  17. ^ "Station Formats", Chicago Airwaves. p. 13. August 1993. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "WJJG-AM Owner/Personality Joe Gentile Passes Away", Chicagoland Radio and Media. October 10, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  20. ^ a b Felshman, Jeffrey. "My Own Private Radio", Chicago Reader. April 22, 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  21. ^ Feder, Robert (July 22, 2003). "Talk show hosts aim for U.S. Senate". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  22. ^ "The Sounds of Sinatra". WJJG. Archived from the original on August 5, 2003. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  23. ^ "WJJG – 1530 AM – Chicago Radio – Joe Gentile". WJJG. Archived from the original on April 18, 2005. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  24. ^ "WCKG AM 1530 Sold", Chicagoland Radio and Media. November 4, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  25. ^ Application Search Details – BPFT-20170612ABZ, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  26. ^ "WCKG Brings Fox Sports to Chicago", RadioInsight. April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WCKG&oldid=1234193814"