WGIL 1400 AM is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk-sports format. Licensed to Galesburg, Illinois, the station is owned by Galesburg Broadcasting Company.

WGIL
Broadcast areaGalesburg, Illinois
Frequency1400 AM (KHz)
BrandingWGIL 93.7FM & 1400AM
Programming
FormatNews Talk
Ownership
OwnerGalesburg Broadcasting Company
WAAG, WLSR, WKAY
History
First air date
June 12, 1938[1]
Former frequencies
1500 (1938-1941)[2]
Call sign meaning
Where Galesburg Is Listening[3]
Technical information
ClassC
Power740 watts
Translator(s)93.7 MHz (W229BO)
Links
Websitewww.wgil.com

WGIL carries a variety of local programming, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as Clark Howard and Jim Bohannon.[4]

History edit

WGIL began broadcasting on June 12, 1938, with its inaugural ceremony at the Galesburg Armory.[3][1] Among the ceremony's attendees was Edith Luckett Davis, actress and mother of future first lady, Nancy Reagan.[3] Congratulatory telegrams were sent by Bing Crosby, Eddy Duchin, Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, and Illinois Governor Henry Horner.[3]

The station originally broadcast at 1500 kHz, running 250 watts during daytime hours only.[2][3] Nighttime operations were added in 1939.[2] In 1941, the station's frequency was changed to 1400 kHz.[2][3] Daytime power was increased to 1,000 watts in 1961.[2] Nighttime power was increased to 1,000 watts in 1985. In 1997, the station's power was reduced to 740 watts.[5]

In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the station aired a MOR format.[1][6][7] By 1987, the station had begun airing talk programming.[8] By 1999, the station had adopted a news-talk-sports format.[9]

Translator edit

In 2015, WGIL began to be rebroadcast on 93.7 FM, through a translator in Galesburg.[10][11]

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
W229BO 93.7 FM Galesburg, Illinois 210 96 m (315 ft) D FMQ

References edit

  1. ^ a b c 1972 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1972. p. B-63. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e History Cards for WGIL, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Wilson, Tom. "Tom Wilson: Happy 75th birthday to WGIL", The Register-Mail. June 4, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  4. ^ WGIL - Programs, WGIL. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "Facilities/Parameters: Grants", The M Street Journal. Vol. 14 No. 43. October 29, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1986. p. B-87. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997, Broadcasting & Cable, 1997. p. B-136. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1987. p. B-89. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  9. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999, Broadcasting & Cable, 1999. p. D-135. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  10. ^ Comprehensive Technical Exhibit Application for License, fcc.gov. March 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "WGIL 93.7 FM & 1400 AM". WGIL. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2018.

External links edit

40°56′47″N 90°22′08″W / 40.94639°N 90.36889°W / 40.94639; -90.36889