WTBI

[carolinaradio]

I've created a Wikipedia page for 91.7 WTBI/Greenville but was wondering when did the AM and FM sign on the air? If memory serves correctly, the FM signed on in the early 1990s but I have no idea about 1540, the AM.....thanks!

 

[Matt]

I think WTBI was started by the church under the leadership of Rev. Harold Sightler, when he was pastor of the church. Sightler was also the director and preacher of "The Bright Spot Hour". I am not sure of the interrelationship of the Church, WTBI and Bright Spot, especially since Brother Sightler has passed away and his nephew now does the program.

Later....
Matt Smith
WGSR-TV

 

[more kilowatts]

According to the FCC database, the call on 1540 was changed to WTBI on January 21, 1984. I am not sure how accurate this date is as to when they actually assumed ownership.

This little AM in Pickens originally started life either in the very late 60's or early 70's as WKKR, a 1 kw daytimer. I remember it struggled financially throughout most of its life as a commercial station, going through several owners and call sign changes. I remember the calls being WTGF and then finally WPKZ before being acquired by Tabernacle and changed to WTBI. I don't remember when, but I believe one of the previous owners increased the power to 10 kw. The transmitter site is located on Wolf Creek Road, about 1 mile southwest of the City of Pickens.

I wonder if Tabernacle actually runs it at 10 kw. Its signal used to be very strong in Pickens County but for that last year or so, it seems very weak for a 10 kw. They could have ground issues too.

 

[carolinaradio]

Thanks for the information!

That AM does seem extremely weak....almost non-existent in parts of Greenville county.

 

[more kilowatts]

The long established WELP AM & FM was the dominant radio station in Pickens County during those days. 1540 never really caught on very much with advertisers or listeners.

I have a couple of friends who worked at WKKR in its early days and they have interesting stories to tell about the station's fight to just survive. One of the more notable ones was that the station had trouble paying its power bill every month, and the power was actually cut off several times. One month, the bill didn't get paid so the local power company showed up one late afternoon to cut the power off to the station. My friend was on the air at the time and was the only station employee there. Before the power was cut off though, the power company employee made a song request. My friend played the song and they both went outside and listened to the song on the truck radio. When the song was over, the power company "pulled the plug" and put the station off the air. My friend still laughs about this today, more than 30 years after it happened!

 

[carolinaradio]

I see that Tabernacle has a CP to move WTBI-FM to 91.5 and crank the power up to 22.5kw. It looks like it will greatly help the signal in areas like Pickens, Anderson, Clemson, Greer, and over towards Spartanburg. One would wonder if they'll sell 1540 if this goes through, because there would really be no need for it then.

I bet if it was sold....1540 would go to a Latino broadcaster

 

[more kilowatts]

I see that Tabernacle has a CP to move WTBI-FM to 91.5 and crank the power up to 22.5kw. It looks like it will greatly help the signal in areas like Pickens, Anderson, Clemson, Greer, and over towards Spartanburg. One would wonder if they'll sell 1540 if this goes through, because there would really be no need for it then.

I bet if it was sold....1540 would go to a Latino broadcaster

I noticed the other day that WTBI-FM is now broadcasting on 91.5. I believe they changed over in mid December. Their coverage has greatly increased. Now the question is-will they continue to operate 1540. The signal is weak on 1540 even within 3-4 miles of the transmitter during the day so I wonder if they are even running it at full power. May go silent once they get everyone in the Pickens area listening to 91.5 that were unable to hear them on 91.7.