WLBR

[Cosmopolite]

WLBR signed-on November 13, 1946. FM in January 1948.

 

[Interstate 78]

WQIC is actually my favorite terrestrial station. One of the very few I can stand listening to for more than 5 minutes. It's well done, local radio, with a good mix of 70s through today, while most AC stations have dumped the 70s and 80s altogether. I think it's a little hokey that they went off-the-air at 1 a.m. and had no website for this long, but it sounds like they're finally coming into modern times. :

 

[craigbaker]

I worked at Channel 15 in the late 80s and early 90s. We still had several "scoop" lights in the studio with the call letters WLBR-TV stencilled on them. There was talk of WLEB FM, but only talk. Never saw evidence of any FM equipment or paperwork. Anyone recall Channel 33, WEEU-TV in Reading? I remember being there for a live talent show sometime in the early 50s. Jack Gounder was the host and I believe Bloom Furniture was the sponsor. Of the two RCA TK-11 cameras they owned, one of them smoked during the program. Great memories.

 

[TomL]

I thought it was interesting into the 1990's that Al & Jean Shade were on Sunday afternoons so the Sunday afternoon Phillies games were not carried because they were on although the Phillies ran in all other time slots. Guess you couldn't preempt "The Mother & Father of Country Music!" Loved his live commercials for a diner buffet in Myerstown where the tables had "plenty of elbow room"! lol

I don't recall Al & Jean Shade ever being on WLBR Sunday afternoons. They were on Saturday Afternoon for a long time till they moved to WVLV in 1976.

 

[TomL]

I had moved out of the area in 1996, however I remember a station "WUFM" that was top 40 back in the late 70s and 80s. Is this the same station you are referring to as WQIC?

WUFM was the first attempt to set the FM station apart from the AM station. WUFM was totally automated, and the format was "Solid Gold" from Drake-Chenult. The change happened because of changes made by the FCC. It actually sounded rather good.

 

[GuyFry]

According to the 1950 Broadcasting Yearbook, the Mt. Gretna building later used by WLBR=TV15 was originally occupied by WLAB-FM 104.1. It was WLAB, not to be confused with the present WLEB-FM, which is a Calvary Chapel repeater station. Anybody know who the owners of WLAB were from 1948 to 1950? Until a few years ago, interior doors with round circular windows still survived in that Mt. Gretna building, even into years that Triangle and then Gateway owned it. Oh, if those walls could talk.

 

[TomL]

According to the 1950 Broadcasting Yearbook, the Mt. Gretna building later used by WLBR=TV15 was originally occupied by WLAB-FM 104.1. It was WLAB, not to be confused with the present WLEB-FM, which is a Calvary Chapel repeater station. Anybody know who the owners of WLAB were from 1948 to 1950? Until a few years ago, interior doors with round circular windows still survived in that Mt. Gretna building, even into years that Triangle and then Gateway owned it. Oh, if those walls could talk.

That's a very good question. I have a connection with the Lebanon County Historical Society. They might have something on that. When I find out something, I will let you know. However, the call letters might be a clue. Could stand for Lebanon Area Broadcasting.

 

[TomL]

We are now past 5 minutes of dead air on the Lebanon Valley's Full Service Radio Station, WLBR. Now going on 7 minutes. Wonderful computer they have.

 

[TomL]

Now over a half hour of dead air. Last time check. Good night.