WRCM

[jtudor]

Just to keep this thread from getting too heated, I wanted ask Mike Sheridan and others about WNOW. My mind is fuzzy on its history but WNOW was indeed a Vernon H Baker (a/k/a Positive Alternative Radio) station based in Blacksburg, VA, correct? There were a number of others on the AM dial, and most(if not all of them) were either at 1030, 1040, or 1050 on the AM dial, except for 1170 WCXN, Claremont(Hickory). In the past 10 years, most of these flipped to Spanish (and I guess were sold?), except for the AM in Bluefield, WV, which was Southern Gospel until it flipped to Sports a year or so back.

Yes it was a Vernon Baker station. I did engineering work for the Claremont stations for a couple of years, I actually put the FM on the air, after Baker gor rid of the engineer who started the project. I can't even remember his name now.

The Bakers were a strange bunch to say the least. When I was first hired, Vernon Baker told me that "Yes this is a Christian station, but we are not preachers nor are we on a mission. We are simply businessmen who have found an open market and we are filling the demand."

They were odd in several other ways too, but I will not elaborate on that now.

 

[jtudor]

So sad that hate is still in NC in the name of "god"

There is something to be said for a ministry trying to maintain purity in the pursuit of their mission.
That is not the same thing as "hate" in the name of God or anyone.

Unfortunately in todays politically correct society where the meaning of words is twisted to make them mean whatever supports your cause or political leanings, hate takes on a totally new meaning. If you disagree with someone, you now hate them.

Just like the misuse by all media sources of the word homophobia. That word has been twisted now to mean that if you disapprove of homosexuality for any reason, you are now homophobic. I always thought that a phobia was a fear of something, not disapproval of it?

I know way off topic here and it will probably get censored, but twisting the language to make it reflect your political leanings just happens to be one of my hot buttons.

[/rant off]

 

[quadraphonic]

I feel ya, jtudor.
There are too many other words and phrases that have been altered to fit someone else's pigeonholes.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Just to keep this thread from getting too heated, I wanted ask Mike Sheridan and others about WNOW. My mind is fuzzy on its history but WNOW was indeed a Vernon H Baker (a/k/a Positive Alternative Radio) station based in Blacksburg, VA, correct? There were a number of others on the AM dial, and most(if not all of them) were either at 1030, 1040, or 1050 on the AM dial, except for 1170 WCXN, Claremont(Hickory). In the past 10 years, most of these flipped to Spanish (and I guess were sold?), except for the AM in Bluefield, WV, which was Southern Gospel until it flipped to Sports a year or so back.

Yes it was a Vernon Baker station. I did engineering work for the Claremont stations for a couple of years, I actually put the FM on the air, after Baker gor rid of the engineer who started the project. I can't even remember his name now.

The Bakers were a strange bunch to say the least. When I was first hired, Vernon Baker told me that "Yes this is a Christian station, but we are not preachers nor are we on a mission. We are simply businessmen who have found an open market and we are filling the demand."

They were odd in several other ways too, but I will not elaborate on that now.

Yes this could be a very amusing thread all by itself! As far as I know Vernon Baker is still alive but I wonder if he takes part in running the business anymore. He was old when I met him. I never met the rest of the family.

I have a few stories too. Like how the Harris MW-10 just about cooked itself when the AC Phase that fed the cooling fans and A/C in the transmitter shack went out. I have never experienced heat like that! I assume that WNOW has a solid state transmitter these days.

As a contract engineer I never could do too much there....no spare parts! Also I used to do monitor points every month and write them down in a book. Mr Baker didn't want us to write them down anymore. His feeling was why give the FCC a way to hang us if they were out of tolerance? Well if they were out of tolerance I would have corrected the problem but hey I'm not going to argue. So when he didn't want us to write them down, I stopped bothering to do them!

WNOW today is owned by Davidson Media which I believe has mostly Spanish language stations.

Mike

 

[tothedj]

After reading most of the posts, many of you have "different" opinions on WRCM,
i'm aware some who are frequent visitors to this web site think the policies that
"New Life 91.9" impliment for employment are unusual, but if you talk to other
"christian" stations, they expect your conduct to reflect this who profound a
belief in Jesus Christ.

 

[Preacherdude]

Just to keep this thread from getting too heated, I wanted ask Mike Sheridan and others about WNOW. My mind is fuzzy on its history but WNOW was indeed a Vernon H Baker (a/k/a Positive Alternative Radio) station based in Blacksburg, VA, correct? There were a number of others on the AM dial, and most(if not all of them) were either at 1030, 1040, or 1050 on the AM dial, except for 1170 WCXN, Claremont(Hickory). In the past 10 years, most of these flipped to Spanish (and I guess were sold?), except for the AM in Bluefield, WV, which was Southern Gospel until it flipped to Sports a year or so back.

Yes it was a Vernon Baker station. I did engineering work for the Claremont stations for a couple of years, I actually put the FM on the air, after Baker gor rid of the engineer who started the project. I can't even remember his name now.

The Bakers were a strange bunch to say the least. When I was first hired, Vernon Baker told me that "Yes this is a Christian station, but we are not preachers nor are we on a mission. We are simply businessmen who have found an open market and we are filling the demand."

They were odd in several other ways too, but I will not elaborate on that now.

Just want the record to show, John Baker of WMIT was not related to Vernon Baker of Positive Alternative Radio! I remember looking into his company a little back then and not being too impressed. Kind of seemed a bit "dollar a holler" to me!

Again, I commend WRCM for their "restrictive" hiring practices. CIU is a fine school and their ministry outlets are top notch and a good example to other Christian broadcasters of how to do it right!

 

[Winston]

Re: WNOW

Well, Mike, we did not want you to do too much at WNOW......and YOU knew if there was a problem there, all you had to do was call the Blacksburg Office. Vernon Baker died July 11th, 2009......I am sitting here in my suit, getting ready to attend his funeral as I write this.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Re: WNOW

Well, Mike, we did not want you to do too much at WNOW......and YOU knew if there was a problem there, all you had to do was call the Blacksburg Office. Vernon Baker died July 11th, 2009......I am sitting here in my suit, getting ready to attend his funeral as I write this.

This I knew and I did call. I had always hoped to learn a few things by watching you at work. Trouble is I often had to run to another job.

It was a good experience. I have nothing but good memories of my time at WNOW. Hey the checks were always on time, couldn't ask for more than that!

My condolences on Mr Baker's passing.

Mike