WGRT
Encyclopedia
WGRT is an adult contemporary radio station
in Port Huron
, Michigan
. It is owned by Port Huron Family Radio and broadcasts with a power of 3,000 watts. WGRT signed on in October 1991. The station airs a satellite-delivered AC format ("Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites") from Citadel Media.
WGRT can be received in the Port Huron vicinity. The signal is weakened greatly as you enter Lapeer County and WIOG's signal on 102.5 often "bleeds" into 102.3 as you move westward. The reception of this station is very narrow as you leave St. Clair County but it is heard clearly in parts of northern Macomb and southern Sanilac counties.
Port Huron Family Radio, headed by local pastor Marty Doorn, acquired the license after a lengthy set of competitive hearings. The new WGRT 102.3FM was finally granted permission by the FCC to go on the air in 1991. For a Class A station, WGRT had an unusually powerful signal, reaching more than 40 miles in each direction, and into the Detroit Metropolitan Area's fringes. WGRT went on the air using ABC/SMN
's "Starstation" adult contemporary format (now called ABC AC), originating out of Chicago with DJ's Don Sainte-Johnn, Richard Steele, Sonny Taylor, etc. (later Dallas
), thus eliminating the expense for a full-time local contingency of on-air personalities, though the station employs a full-time news director actively involved in the community.
Following the sale of the five competing stations in Port Huron (WSAQ
, WHLS
, WHLX
, WPHM
, WBTI
) by the end of the 20th Century, WGRT earned the distinction of being St. Clair County's sole locally-owned and operated commercial radio station. (The other locally-owned stations in the market - WNFA
, WNFR
, WSGR-FM
, and WORW
- are non-commercial and feature either religious or student programming.)
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Port Huron
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administratively autonomous. It is joined by the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Clair River to Sarnia,...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is owned by Port Huron Family Radio and broadcasts with a power of 3,000 watts. WGRT signed on in October 1991. The station airs a satellite-delivered AC format ("Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites") from Citadel Media.
WGRT can be received in the Port Huron vicinity. The signal is weakened greatly as you enter Lapeer County and WIOG's signal on 102.5 often "bleeds" into 102.3 as you move westward. The reception of this station is very narrow as you leave St. Clair County but it is heard clearly in parts of northern Macomb and southern Sanilac counties.
History
The groundwork for WGRT can be traced back to 1983, when the FCC first "dropped in" an FM license to Port Huron that year. As the local area prospered, it became evident that St. Clair County and the surrounding area could support another local radio station in addition to the five already on the air serving the local community.Port Huron Family Radio, headed by local pastor Marty Doorn, acquired the license after a lengthy set of competitive hearings. The new WGRT 102.3FM was finally granted permission by the FCC to go on the air in 1991. For a Class A station, WGRT had an unusually powerful signal, reaching more than 40 miles in each direction, and into the Detroit Metropolitan Area's fringes. WGRT went on the air using ABC/SMN
Satellite Music Network
Satellite Music Network was the first satellite delivered network to provide complete live 24-hour a day music programming to local stations, under several different formats...
's "Starstation" adult contemporary format (now called ABC AC), originating out of Chicago with DJ's Don Sainte-Johnn, Richard Steele, Sonny Taylor, etc. (later Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
), thus eliminating the expense for a full-time local contingency of on-air personalities, though the station employs a full-time news director actively involved in the community.
Following the sale of the five competing stations in Port Huron (WSAQ
WSAQ
WSAQ is a country music radio station in Port Huron, Michigan known as Q Country 107. It began broadcasting August 7, 1964 on 107.1 MHz with 6,000 watts, and remains the same today . It broadcasts from the same site as AM 1450 WHLS. Q-Country plays modern country music along with some...
, WHLS
WHLS
WHLS is an Oldies radio station in Port Huron, Michigan on AM 1450. This station broadcasts from the same tower as sister station WSAQ with 1,000 watts of power. Since 2000 WHLS has simulcasted its programming on 1590 WHLX Marine City. On air they are known as AM 1450 & 1590, WHLS. Both stations...
, WHLX
WHLX
WHLX is an American radio station, licensed to Marine City, Michigan at 1590 kHz on the AM dial, with a power output of 1,000 watts day, 102 watts night. The station is currently a simulcast of 1450 WHLS in Port Huron...
, WPHM
WPHM
WPHM is a news, talk and sports radio station in Port Huron, Michigan that broadcasts on AM 1380 with 5,000 watts. WPHM is owned by Radio First. The station includes programming from Dr. Joy Browne, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Dave Ramsey, and local morning show host Paul Miller...
, WBTI
WBTI
WBTI is an Adult Top 40 radio station in Lexington, Michigan. It broadcasts on 96.9 MHz with 3,000 watts and is owned by Radio First. This is the third owner in the station's 15-year history....
) by the end of the 20th Century, WGRT earned the distinction of being St. Clair County's sole locally-owned and operated commercial radio station. (The other locally-owned stations in the market - WNFA
WNFA
WNFA is a contemporary Christian radio station in Port Huron, Michigan, USA, branded as "Bluewater Christian Hit Radio". WNFA broadcasts on 88.3 FM with 1,300 watts....
, WNFR
WNFR
WNFR, broadcasting at 90.7 FM, is a Christian music and talk radio station licensed to Sandusky, Michigan. WNFR has a studio located in Port Huron, and a 42,000 watt directional transmitter at Jeddo, near the Sanilac/St. Clair county line....
, WSGR-FM
WSGR-FM
WSGR-FM 91.3 FM, is a college radio station broadcasting an Alternative Rock and Freeform format. Licensed to St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1974.- Sources :**-External links:**...
, and WORW
WORW
WORW is a high school radio station located in Port Huron Northern High School broadcasting a CHR/Top 40 format. Licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1972...
- are non-commercial and feature either religious or student programming.)