WJBY

Infobox Radio station
name = WJBY


city = Gadsden, Alabama
area =
branding =
slogan = "The Winner"
frequency = 1350 kHz
repeaters =
airdate = 1963
share =
share as of =
share source =
format = Sports Talk Radio
power = 5,000 Watts (day)
1,000 Watts (night)
class = B
facility_id = 13849
coordinates = coord|34|01|03|N|86|05|15|W
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
affiliations =
owner = The DR Group LLC
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website =

WJBY (1350 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Sports Radio format.cite web
url=http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20070627/NEWS/706270382
accessdate=2008-04-08
title= Changes on tap at radio stations
publisher=Gadsden Times
date=2007-06-27] Licensed to serve Gadsden, Alabama, USA, the station is currently owned by The DR Group LLC. [ cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WJBY |title=WJBY Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division ] It operates at 930 kilohertz, with a daytime power of 5,000 watts non-directional, and 500 watts directional at night.

The station is an affiliate of the Tennessee Titans radio network [ cite web|url=http://www.titansradio.com/stationsal.html|title=Titans Radio in Alabama|work=Titans Radio] and the Atlanta Braves radio network [cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/schedule/affiliates.jsp|title=2007 Braves Radio Network]

History

The call letters WJBY actually date back to the 1926 when a station in Gadsden operated (eventually) at a frequency of 1240 kilohertz. That station went dark around 1950.

The 930 frequency came to Gadsden when local druggist "Doc" Cary Graham put WETO on the air in 1950. WETO operated with 1,000 watts daytime only. In 1963 Gadsden radio veteran Charlie "B" Boman bought the station from Mr. Graham, and began a series of upgrades, both to the station and its image.From its original location in the rear of "Doc's" drug store, Boman moved to the Life of Alabama Insurance building on the main street of town, and installed all new equipment. Boman had begun his radio career at the original WJBY, and found those call letters to be available, so the heritage call returned to the air at the 930 spot on the dial, late in 1963. Boman also raised the power to 5,000 watts, while still a daytime station.

In the 1960s Boman applied and was granted an FM license, and WLJM became Gadsden's FM voice at 103.7. The call letters standing for Lloyd, John and Mary Faye, Boman's three children. WQEN sold to Charles Smitgall and Mike McDougald in 1974 who operated WAAX, also in Gadsden. The station today is licensed to Trussville, Alabama, and operates as WQEN, with a transmitter at Red Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama.

In the late 70's Boman sold WJBY to Hinton Mitchem and Gordon Henderson, who added the night time signal and erected four new towers.

Frequency swap

Based on filings registered in the FCC database on December 7 and December 8, 2007, this station swapped frequencies with WGAD in Gadsden; going from AM 930 to AM 1350. The change was implemented on July 2, 2007. WJBY is a Fox Sports Radio affiliate from 11am to 2pm. In addition to college and pro sports, the station also broadcasts local high school basketball and football.

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