WGGH Radio Station Tour- Marion, Illinois | BTS

Ойын-сауық

Today I'm giving a tour of WGGH radio station in Marion, Illinois. The station started on Sept 24th, 1949 by George Dodd and Harley Grisham. Originally the station featured a big band format, and operated on 500 watts. In 49, it was the largest market radio south of Springfield Illinois. In 1978 the station because an inspirational Christian station broadcasting with 5000 watts creating a strong signal for listeners. In 1992 it was sold to Johnny and Elaine Gomez, after 15 years it was then sold in 2007 to Jimmy Fishback who currently owns it today. WGGH has been bringing music and news to listeners across six states, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. WGGH is one the oldest Radio stations that is still in operation today. Click that subscribe button and let me know your favorite part below!

Пікірлер: 37

  • @roberthansen2008
    @roberthansen20086 ай бұрын

    I like watching these types of videos. There's nothing like having a tour of a radio station. I remember when I was in college I was involved in radio and I really enjoyed it.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out! I definitely love touring some places I have no idea about, glad I got to check out this classic radio station before they moved

  • @rossr100
    @rossr100 Жыл бұрын

    I worked in radio in new zealand for about 26 years, I wish I still had a cart deck so I could punch that button heh. Good times, great video.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out!

  • @OldManBadly

    @OldManBadly

    Жыл бұрын

    ... and panic when you need it to cue up and it seemed to take 100 years to get there.

  • @voiceofjeff
    @voiceofjeff Жыл бұрын

    WGGH looks like a classic. I love little hometown radio stations like this one; wish I could work for one now. I worked in radio for about 40 years; started when I was 14! I do VO work now. Little stations like these are the only thing left of "good radio". I'm just sorry this is "mostly satellite" but I understand the economics of why it's that way. Great job touring the station and giving a grand tour. I have some of the same equipment in my home studio now--the Telos phone system. I also had the Auditronics console (the one he asked specifically about) in one of my radio stations--they are great consoles! The museum closet was spectacular. The old Scully tape decks, cart machines, and that old Gates console... WOW! Thanks so much for sharing this with us! You're a great host and look great on camera! By the way, it's AMPLITUDE modulation for AM and FREQUENCY modulation for FM.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out! This station was a very neat episode to shoot and I loved learning all about radio. Glad you enjoyed it!!

  • @mbatchelor
    @mbatchelor7 ай бұрын

    I am glad you got a tour video of this old building before WGGH moved over next to the Rural King...

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out! Always love capturing the history while it’s still alive. Filmed this one right on the line as it closed 3 weeks later I believe

  • @mikejohns3104
    @mikejohns31048 ай бұрын

    Visited WGGH early 80's with my Dad on a trip to visit family during some random unplanned "Father-Son" adventure. I was about 5-6 years old. Never forgot that but haven't thought of it in a while. What a pleasant surprise when this popped up in my feed.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    8 ай бұрын

    That’s awesome! Glad the video found its way to you. Happy that I captured this radio station at this building, truly a time capsule. Thanks for checking it out

  • @christopheburgert5260
    @christopheburgert526010 ай бұрын

    I love this kind of video and reports, I was a radio animator in the 80' and it's always a great sounenir of this time. best regards for you all!!!

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you for checking it out! I love capturing them in the moment. Being a radio animator in the 80’s would be neat!

  • @jaunbogar
    @jaunbogar Жыл бұрын

    Exelente video, gracias por compartir !!!!!!!!

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out!

  • @radiogroupie2397
    @radiogroupie2397 Жыл бұрын

    WGGH was a Top 40 format station in the 1960s and early 1970s. Was tightly formatted and had talented DJs and the quality of the broadcasts rivaled major market Top 40 stations. The jingles were great and I remember they had time and temperature jingles which were custom made for WGGH. Good memories of listening to WGGH way back then when I was attending SIU-Carbondale.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out! Awesome radio station. 📻

  • @PX2Y5050-Daniel
    @PX2Y5050-Daniel Жыл бұрын

    Very good..

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking it out!

  • @larryfountain7671
    @larryfountain76713 ай бұрын

    Would have liked to see the transmitter

  • @dankeil4470
    @dankeil4470 Жыл бұрын

    I have relatives buried there. Their last name was Axford!

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    That's interesting! Thanks for checking it out!

  • @rhiannancaraway
    @rhiannancaraway Жыл бұрын

    I worked here for a short time in 2005. Haven't thought about this place in years. And I'll add the man in the video seems much more pleasant than Ms. Elaine Gomez who I worked for. She was one of the most genuinely unpleasant and hateful people I've ever met.

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh wow! That’s very interesting. I hate to hear that. Chris Hahn (the guy giving me the tour) is one of the nicest! Loved working with him on this project. Thanks for checking it out!

  • @thisisnevertaken

    @thisisnevertaken

    Жыл бұрын

    I worked here as well around 1988 while a Radio & TV major at SIU. George Dodd's personally interviewed me and we hit it off right away when we discovered we were both ham radio operators (the "4 square" array in the backyard was pretty cool). In fact, this was my first "real" radio job and was incredibly thankful for the opportunity. I'm pretty sure I used that Gates board shown in the video when I was there! I remember at the time the station had just purchased a solid state transmitter (the old tube transmitter took up an entire wall) and I had to lower the power at sunset. There may have been a time or two when the station was running more than the 44 watts (or whatever it was at the time) licensed for nighttime power. I have vivid memories of a DJ named Scott Watson who would play the Peanuts Theme Song on the piano that was in one of the studios. I also remember Jim when he was a student at WIDB on the SIUC campus. He was one of the guys I thought had a bright future in the business. Spent over a decade in Illinois radio before leaving to pursue this thing called the Internet. Thanks for the memories.

  • @ericdreizen1463
    @ericdreizen1463 Жыл бұрын

    Cart machines, reel to reel decks? Either this tour is 30 years old or somebody's tryin' to save $ ! Lol!

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    Lot of stuff is for looks, and honestly, I'm not sure what all is actually "Used", but they are no longer in this building! They have recently moved. Thanks for checking it out!

  • @OldManBadly

    @OldManBadly

    Жыл бұрын

    It's AM... no need for any real sonic quality. The cart machines have a much higher sound quality than what is getting transmitted.

  • @ericdreizen1463

    @ericdreizen1463

    Жыл бұрын

    @@OldManBadly But probably no longer made. When maintenance time arrives, & it WILL......

  • @johnnytacokleinschmidt515

    @johnnytacokleinschmidt515

    Жыл бұрын

    They aren't in use. It was their museum closet.

  • @shamrock1961
    @shamrock1961 Жыл бұрын

    WGGH is filthy inside. Think your walls have enough mold on them?

  • @Thearchivescd

    @Thearchivescd

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm just here for the tours! WGGH has now moved buildings.

  • @wannawatchu66

    @wannawatchu66

    Жыл бұрын

    Why the snotty attitude?

  • @BoomTrucks
    @BoomTrucks Жыл бұрын

    Yeah why are you guys on AM you should be on FM. AM is crappy

  • @blewis0719

    @blewis0719

    Жыл бұрын

    I don't know why it was not mentioned on the video, but WGGH's programming is, indeed, simulcast 24/7;on FM 98.1. A quick visit to the website will show this. Also, when properly processed, AM can have a good, warm sound; especially with a mostly talk format. The problems with AM quality are more because of the lack of quality in most receivers and electrical interference from the plethora of electronic devices around us. Analog AM quality will never rival FM quality and AM will always be more susceptible than FM to electrical interference from devices and lightning. I don't know if HD AM will ever become viable or go the way of Analog AM stereo of the 80s, but I have heard HD AM and it sounds great.

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