What's with this odd little station? Little AM station on 1450 AM that sounds like it runs a classic rock satellite network and their moniker is "The Phoenix 1450." Doesn't sound like much of anything local except ads. Is anyone listening to this tiny outfit or know anything about its history? Everyone I know in Pottsville listens to T-102, or, if they're closer to the other side of Schuylkill County, to Magic 105. The old-timers listen to T-102's sister station full-service talk/music WPPA 1360 AM. So what's with this WPAM? They don't even have a website that I can find.
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WPAM Pottsville
- Thread starter Interstate 78
- Start date
The Curran Family (better known for Reading Anthracite) owns the station. The studio is a small building at the transmitter, behind Nativity High School.
In the mid-90s, they were oldies, then rock, then switched to Hot Talk AM 1450 around '95.
We (Pottsville Broadcasting) leased the station from Feb '98-Jan '03, and programmed oldies and local sports.
A few months later, the station was back doing classic rock, with some local programs on Saturdays (which used to be on the old WMBT).
In the mid-90s, they were oldies, then rock, then switched to Hot Talk AM 1450 around '95.
We (Pottsville Broadcasting) leased the station from Feb '98-Jan '03, and programmed oldies and local sports.
A few months later, the station was back doing classic rock, with some local programs on Saturdays (which used to be on the old WMBT).
You're right, Zenith. Years ago I heard the calls stood for "PA Miners," because of the coal region.
The station signed-on in 1947 owned by Miners Broadcasting Service. Co-founder Bud Angst told me the calls were for "Pottsville Amplitude Modulation."
In 1952, the Angst brothers created WLSH-1410 in Carbon County, which stand for Lansford and neighboring Summit Hill.
Currently PAM leases all air time to a guy from Minersville for his "Phoenix 1450."
The station signed-on in 1947 owned by Miners Broadcasting Service. Co-founder Bud Angst told me the calls were for "Pottsville Amplitude Modulation."
In 1952, the Angst brothers created WLSH-1410 in Carbon County, which stand for Lansford and neighboring Summit Hill.
Currently PAM leases all air time to a guy from Minersville for his "Phoenix 1450."
For some reason, I got to listening to WPAM online yesterday. I had to equalize the shrill high end off of the webstream, but the daytime (local?) classic rock library was well-balanced if you like mid-70s classic hits with a few zingers thrown in (an Elton John B-side - Elderberry Wine, a deeper album Bon-Scott era AC/DC track, a deeper Zeppelin track etc...), and it was uninterrupted except by a single PSA on the hour and a non-legal ID ("WPAM 1450 The Phoenix" - gotta fix that) at 10 past the hour. About sunset, when the station must sink into the chatter for all but listeners within 5 miles of Pottsville, a local band came on with a live performance that distorted the stream to the point of making it unlistenable, and a mostly-off-mic interview segment. Then the station started playing unidentifiable (at least by me) metal tracks. Then about a half hour after my local sunset (Philadelphia), the stream started to oscillate as if it were an over-the-air feed of a graveyarder at sunset, making it truly unlistenable.Interstate 78 said:What's with this odd little station? Little AM station on 1450 AM that sounds like it runs a classic rock satellite network and their moniker is "The Phoenix 1450." Doesn't sound like much of anything local except ads. Is anyone listening to this tiny outfit or know anything about its history? Everyone I know in Pottsville listens to T-102, or, if they're closer to the other side of Schuylkill County, to Magic 105. The old-timers listen to T-102's sister station full-service talk/music WPPA 1360 AM. So what's with this WPAM? They don't even have a website that I can find.
Today, (Sunday) it's back to non-stop classic rock.
Maybe Steve Green NEPA who hails from close to the signal and listens to the station, can fill us in on the details of this unusual operation. How does what sounds like a one or two-man operation make money with no paid ads? How do they expect anyone to listen if the audio has serious technical flaws? And how did the remodeling of the studios go? Did anyone attend the open house? (And what role does the dog play in the operation?)
Inquiring minds want to know these things about this small quirky AM station!
Now if only WWSM streamed (or had a working website!)......
WPAM is probably being run as a tax write off for someone. And remember, what sounds horrible to some, might sound 'perfect' to someone else!
Wow, Musichead, you and the others know more about WPAM than I do, and I've been living here since 1993.
If they are a Reading Anthracite spinoff, that sort of affords them the same stature, give or take a boxcar of revenue, as being owned by Clear Channel up this way. Reading Anthracite must be a pretty cool uncle to have as someone to sign the checks. I wonder now if R.A. owns the land where they built Nativity high school!
True about T-102 and its popularity. If they took ratings for Schuylkill County, 'WAVT-FM' would show up with a 20 + share. The only other stations I hear in places where they play the radio are Magic 92.9 out of Wilkes-Barre (two businesses), 94 KX (out of Sunbury), and WZZO, for some reason, at a loud mill.
In the realm of DX, WPAM was a wicked null on a few afternoons during breaks when I worked it Saint Clair, about a mile from the tower. I idly logged some 1440 and 1460 stuff then.
As are most GYers, WPAM is an excellent Auroral indicator. Where I live, between Pottsville and Hazleton, if they have a solid signal with minimum erosion when it's dark, I'll try for some down-home Southern cooking on the AM dial.
For a brief while in the late Nineties, WPAM was one of four stations billboaded as being headquartered at the T-102 building. WAVT, WPPA and WSPI Mt Carmel were the other three.
The guy who leases time from Minersville can get to be a little too much -- he does all the spots and announcements -- but there isn't much else to tune for AoR-based Classic Rock in these parts. I imagine he knows this quite well, and can be a bit more liberal with the playlist.
If they are a Reading Anthracite spinoff, that sort of affords them the same stature, give or take a boxcar of revenue, as being owned by Clear Channel up this way. Reading Anthracite must be a pretty cool uncle to have as someone to sign the checks. I wonder now if R.A. owns the land where they built Nativity high school!
True about T-102 and its popularity. If they took ratings for Schuylkill County, 'WAVT-FM' would show up with a 20 + share. The only other stations I hear in places where they play the radio are Magic 92.9 out of Wilkes-Barre (two businesses), 94 KX (out of Sunbury), and WZZO, for some reason, at a loud mill.
In the realm of DX, WPAM was a wicked null on a few afternoons during breaks when I worked it Saint Clair, about a mile from the tower. I idly logged some 1440 and 1460 stuff then.
As are most GYers, WPAM is an excellent Auroral indicator. Where I live, between Pottsville and Hazleton, if they have a solid signal with minimum erosion when it's dark, I'll try for some down-home Southern cooking on the AM dial.
For a brief while in the late Nineties, WPAM was one of four stations billboaded as being headquartered at the T-102 building. WAVT, WPPA and WSPI Mt Carmel were the other three.
The guy who leases time from Minersville can get to be a little too much -- he does all the spots and announcements -- but there isn't much else to tune for AoR-based Classic Rock in these parts. I imagine he knows this quite well, and can be a bit more liberal with the playlist.
T
tonmar
Guest
I stumbled on this site and this thread and found it very interesting.
From what I recall here is a bit of a timeline. I hope I have dates correct. I did not post names.
WPAM dominated Saturday morning with the Yoska Baci polka show. This show had a 20 year run from 1971-1991.
In the early 80's WPAM was AC with a more of a "wild side" at night. It was the station for me and my friends at the time. The alternative was WPPA (stronger AC), WAVT ("When you want the world's most beautiful music, turn to T-102" - classical and opera format - yes, before the "Country Giant T-102"), WZTA (then WCRN and now WMGK for oldies). Incidentally, WCRN was WPAM's sister station in the mid-80's.
In September of 1984, WPAM switched to "Stardust Radio" which as all satellite from "SMN, The Satellite Music Network". I am not sure if the dish is still in the yard.
In 1985 the station picked up the Flyers and 76ers. They already had the Eagles.
This lasted until November 1986 when the GM convinced the Curran's to switch to SMN's AC format. When this did not work as planned, the station switched back to Stardust in January of 1987 (the last song played at 8:55 PM before the switch was Genesis - Throwing It All Away). That month, WCRN was sold and became WMGH. The staff from WPAM migrated quickly to WMGH for "greener pastures"...only to be released shortly after WMGH got started.
In 1987 they picked up the Yankees.
WPAM remained Stardust Radio until 1988 when the format switched, once again, to SMN's AC format. WPAM began focusing more on local sports with two sports magazine shows and following all the high school sporting games and championships.
Following this station manager, the station moved back to "live", local radio. There were Sunday night album hours and the "Mid Day Cafe". The station had a stronger daily AC format with a bit more liberality in the evening. The playlist did contain some interesting titles, such as Chicago's 13 minute _Ballad for a Girl in Buchanan_, _Seven Stones_ by Genesis, and _Subdivisions_ by Rush.
In 1993 there was a dispute which led the station to be off the air for about 48 hours. When the station came back on air, there was a new station manager. The new manager eliminated sports - one solid source of revenue for the station. It moved to Hot Talk 1450 thereafter.
That is all the history I recall!
From what I recall here is a bit of a timeline. I hope I have dates correct. I did not post names.
WPAM dominated Saturday morning with the Yoska Baci polka show. This show had a 20 year run from 1971-1991.
In the early 80's WPAM was AC with a more of a "wild side" at night. It was the station for me and my friends at the time. The alternative was WPPA (stronger AC), WAVT ("When you want the world's most beautiful music, turn to T-102" - classical and opera format - yes, before the "Country Giant T-102"), WZTA (then WCRN and now WMGK for oldies). Incidentally, WCRN was WPAM's sister station in the mid-80's.
In September of 1984, WPAM switched to "Stardust Radio" which as all satellite from "SMN, The Satellite Music Network". I am not sure if the dish is still in the yard.
In 1985 the station picked up the Flyers and 76ers. They already had the Eagles.
This lasted until November 1986 when the GM convinced the Curran's to switch to SMN's AC format. When this did not work as planned, the station switched back to Stardust in January of 1987 (the last song played at 8:55 PM before the switch was Genesis - Throwing It All Away). That month, WCRN was sold and became WMGH. The staff from WPAM migrated quickly to WMGH for "greener pastures"...only to be released shortly after WMGH got started.
In 1987 they picked up the Yankees.
WPAM remained Stardust Radio until 1988 when the format switched, once again, to SMN's AC format. WPAM began focusing more on local sports with two sports magazine shows and following all the high school sporting games and championships.
Following this station manager, the station moved back to "live", local radio. There were Sunday night album hours and the "Mid Day Cafe". The station had a stronger daily AC format with a bit more liberality in the evening. The playlist did contain some interesting titles, such as Chicago's 13 minute _Ballad for a Girl in Buchanan_, _Seven Stones_ by Genesis, and _Subdivisions_ by Rush.
In 1993 there was a dispute which led the station to be off the air for about 48 hours. When the station came back on air, there was a new station manager. The new manager eliminated sports - one solid source of revenue for the station. It moved to Hot Talk 1450 thereafter.
That is all the history I recall!
WPAM Pottsville Online Presence Gone
...and then they vanished from the web. Website and streams gone. No updates to Facebook. Are they still on the air?
...and then they vanished from the web. Website and streams gone. No updates to Facebook. Are they still on the air?
Passed through Pottsville the other week, never there before in my life, and from a radio perspective one thing stood out. IN THIS TOUGH, BLUE COLLAR COAL-REGIONS TOWN, THERE IS NO COUNTRY STATION IN TOWN OR RECEIVABLE ANYWHERE ON THE DIAL! The closest country station is 95.3 in Shamokin, a Class-A 20 miles away, pretty much blocked by the mountains. Cat Country 96.1 from Allentown doesn't make it into Pottsville, no doubt because of 96.1 in Red Lion.
If the owners of WPAM want to make big hay with their little kilowatt graveyarder, THEY SHOULD GO COUNTRY!! Even with their small signal, they cover Greater Pottsville 24/7. They'd have an immediate audience, even on AM, with no other competition!! Seems like a no-brainer...
If the owners of WPAM want to make big hay with their little kilowatt graveyarder, THEY SHOULD GO COUNTRY!! Even with their small signal, they cover Greater Pottsville 24/7. They'd have an immediate audience, even on AM, with no other competition!! Seems like a no-brainer...
Great idea Ray! It could be kind of a hybrid of classic and new country. They would have to localize it somehow and this could be tough since a stand alone AM would be on a limited budget. A live morning show and community involvement would be a must. A buy/sell/trade show and high school sports woudn't hurt either.
I recently discovered this site and WPAM Radio in Pottsville brought back many pleasant memories.I had worked at WPAM in 1964 when it was part of a three station group called "The Miners broadcasting company".The other two stations in the group were WLSH,Lansford and WMBA in Ambridge.(Pittsburgh)Jim Stock was the station manager who also did local play-by-play of high school football and basketball as well as little league baseball.Jim had an excellent voice and did an outstanding job covering sports.Ken Johnston was the News director as well as the court house reporter.WPAM did an excellent job in covering local news.The music format was typical middle of the road.Frank Sinatra,Ella Fitzgerald,Ray Confif singers,and mostly instrumental music.They would take an album and literally scratch out cuts that they did not want aired and encircle it with red crayon.The daytime signal of 1KW non-directional was quite good and the nightime 250 watts covered Pottsville and most of the environs adequately.WPPA had an outstanding voice in the morning:Ed Romance (Romanski)He was major market material.I commuted between WPAM and WLSH until I left for electronics school.Working for Bud Angst at WLSH was not pleasant. I later worked at WKAP in Allentown,WYNS leighton,and the now defunct WTHT in Hazleton.Although I spent the last 43 years in television engineering,I still have a soft spot for local radio.Thanks for the memories.I am enjoying this site.
Great to see Travis here. Almost as good as hearing him.
I brag on you T-102 people on the New York Radio Message Board whenever possible. If they took ratings for Schuylkill County (or Pottsville-Shenandoah ; however it'd be stamped) you folks would get a 30 share, and probably a 60 share in 25-49.
I'm a NYC boy who came here to Schuylkill for personal reasons (of the reproachless romantic sort). Yet, despite my DX hobby and the ex-Brooklyn punk upbringing and a former radio career and 18 1/2 years of Coal Country sustinence all screaming to combine as someone who actually has a clue, my main recollection of WPAM is one.
That was in March of 1993. I had lived here six months and mused 'Holy Smoke ; what have I gotten INTO?' when that winter's Blizzard Of The Century hit on a Saturday. WPAM was broadcasting a Flyers game. The game was abbreviated when part of the Spectrum roof collapsed. From the snow.
WYNS 1160 Lehighton and WKOK Sunbury (still music then) had some of the best snowfall coverage I ever heard. Those folks, at different stations in different COUNTIES from Schuylkill, loaned a bit of gallow's/MASH humor to it all.
Maybe if and when WPAM wants to do a wardrobe change, they should try that Country stuff, as Ray Thomas suggests. I'd sent in a post to that NYRMB place about the lack of country ... like, forever? ... in Schuylkill County.
I brag on you T-102 people on the New York Radio Message Board whenever possible. If they took ratings for Schuylkill County (or Pottsville-Shenandoah ; however it'd be stamped) you folks would get a 30 share, and probably a 60 share in 25-49.
I'm a NYC boy who came here to Schuylkill for personal reasons (of the reproachless romantic sort). Yet, despite my DX hobby and the ex-Brooklyn punk upbringing and a former radio career and 18 1/2 years of Coal Country sustinence all screaming to combine as someone who actually has a clue, my main recollection of WPAM is one.
That was in March of 1993. I had lived here six months and mused 'Holy Smoke ; what have I gotten INTO?' when that winter's Blizzard Of The Century hit on a Saturday. WPAM was broadcasting a Flyers game. The game was abbreviated when part of the Spectrum roof collapsed. From the snow.
WYNS 1160 Lehighton and WKOK Sunbury (still music then) had some of the best snowfall coverage I ever heard. Those folks, at different stations in different COUNTIES from Schuylkill, loaned a bit of gallow's/MASH humor to it all.
Maybe if and when WPAM wants to do a wardrobe change, they should try that Country stuff, as Ray Thomas suggests. I'd sent in a post to that NYRMB place about the lack of country ... like, forever? ... in Schuylkill County.
Last Wednesday I was in Schuylkill, didn't hear an ID during my two-hours of midday listening. Drove up to Lawton's Hill. Door locked. No cars in parking lot.
Just my two cents: when I worked for WLSH in the mid '70's, WPAM was indeed our sister station in Pottsville. We were owned by Miner's Broadcasting, Bud Angst was principal, but there was a relationship with the Currans. his brother Mickey was managing WPAM. Yoska baci ran "The Twin Towers of Polka Power" on Saturdays. I did news at WLSH, and a guy named Jeff did news at WPAM. Wish I could remember his last name. Alice Angst, Bud's wife, did a Home-Ec show on WLSH, and kept referring to Jeff as "Chet Lobaca". Radio in the coal belt.... I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!
Bob Farro said:Just my two cents: when I worked for WLSH in the mid '70's, WPAM was indeed our sister station in Pottsville. We were owned by Miner's Broadcasting, Bud Angst was principal, but there was a relationship with the Currans. his brother Mickey was managing WPAM. Yoska baci ran "The Twin Towers of Polka Power" on Saturdays. I did news at WLSH, and a guy named Jeff did news at WPAM. Wish I could remember his last name. Alice Angst, Bud's wife, did a Home-Ec show on WLSH, and kept referring to Jeff as "Chet Lobaca". Radio in the coal belt.... I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!
As a small kid I remember a one hour talk show that ran at 10:00 am hosted by Mickey Angst. They also ran a second one hour talk show in the afternoon hosted by Jeff McGlaughlin. Is that the Jeff you are thinking of?
Mickey's talk show was "Air Your Opinion," later hosted by Mark Marek who did weekly editorials. He left radio in 2011 after 33 years at LSH.
http://www.tnonline.com/2011/apr/09/air-your-opinion-local-pioneer-talk-show-radio
http://www.tnonline.com/2011/apr/09/air-your-opinion-local-pioneer-talk-show-radio
Anyone have any idea how to contact the owner(s) of WPAM? The information online that I find is very sketchy. I may know someone interested in buying the signal or LMA'ing it.
Curran Communications, Inc.
101 North Centre Street - Suite 501
Pottsville 17901-2949
101 North Centre Street - Suite 501
Pottsville 17901-2949
Cosmopolite said:Curran Communications, Inc.
101 North Centre Street - Suite 501
Pottsville 17901-2949
Thanks!
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