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WCKG-1530 running WBIG-1280 programming

K

Koolmotor

I've noticed that WCKG-1530 in Elmhurst has been using WBIG-1280 Aurora audio in recent days. I've heard Bloomberg Radio in the morning, Dave Ramsey in the afternoon. WCKG leaves the air without an announcement at 5:30 p.m. CST, the normal sunset time for February. Top of the hour ID was "WBIG Aurora, W277EP Aurora, WCKG Elmhurst, W272DQ Chicago."

Previously, WCKG was broadcasting with very low audio levels for a number of weeks. When you tuned to 1530 it sounded like an open carrier but if you turned the radio all the way up you could barely hear the audio. Current signal is good here in NW Chicago. They are running many ads for advertising on WBIG, a tough sell for WCKG when you couldn't hear the signal.
 
Koolmotor I checked WCKG today and it was only open carrier. No audio even if when I turned volume all the way up. I am just 6 miles from their transmitter and usually they come in quite well.

As for WBIG. I could not hear their signal for the past week at all. They just got and extension for their STA to operate with their 250 Watts daytime / 125 Watts nighttime with 42 foot radiator on top of 10 foot metal container. The STA expires on August 16, 2026.
 
CADXER: WCKG-1530 is back today with good signal. They had Bloomberg Radio, WBIG-WCKG top-of-hour ID at 12 p.m. CST, string of local announcements, mostly from the station, and then back into Bloomberg. We'll see how long this lasts.
 
Correct me, but wasn't it early 2023 (or '22), when 1530 abruptly switched to nothing but "The Ramsey Show"? This just after a few years as Fox Sports. Then, wasn't it 2024 or 25, when 1530 and 1280 became sister stations? I live in DuPage myself (Hinsdale area), and get 1530 like a local. I have not heard anything on 1280 in a while. Keep us posted on these two stations.
 
Voicetrack of Reason said:
I admire this guy for trying, I really do. If I lived in Chicagoland, I'd offer to roll up my sleeves and lend a hand. I've managed to salvage more than one distressed radio station. It's not easy
Click to expand...
I am going to admit that I actually like DuBiel. I was listening to my recent (2018-23) recordings of him/FOX Sports stuff. That was over the last few days, while spring cleaning. He seems really nice, he's adamant/passionate about radio...I want to meet or at speak to him over the phone. I might not like some of the things he tried. I'm sure something will stick to/with 1530 some day. All this is interesting, given the history of the station.
 


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