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WEHC Launches Major Power Increase, from 500 to 9,000 Watts

Click to enlarge
Congressman Rick Boucher Addresses a Crowd Gathered at the Site of the WEHC Transmitter

Monday, October 26, 2009
Emory & Henry's WEHC (FM) 90.7 launched its entry into regional broadcasting on Monday, Oct. 26, demonstrating its power increase to 9,000 watts, while exemplifying the College's commitment to community service (See photo gallery).

E&H President Rosalind Reichard, Mass Communications Chair Dr. Teresa Keller, Congressman Rick Boucher and Delegate Joe Johnson welcomed contributors, trustees, Tobacco Commission members, sponsors, and student and community broadcasters to 90.7's transmitter site, overlooking I-81 near campus.

Also on hand to celebrate the expanded signal for WEHC was Susan Allison, who, along with her husband, Hampton Allison, provided support for the college radio station as it was beginning to develop in the early 1990s.

Boucher provided important support of the program as it sought funding for the equipment that enabled the massive power increase, which kicked WEHC over five counties: north to Richlands, south to Mountain City, east to Rural Retreat, and west to Blountville.

"A very large, new audience will have access to the programming that comes from this station," Boucher said. "This will be truly appreciated by the many Southwest Virginians who did not have -- until now, access to public broadcasting."

Boucher praised Johnson for his instrumental involvement in gaining Tobacco Commission support for an educational training program that is integral to the mission of the radio station.

Keller, a long-serving E&H professor, said the increase of the radio station's signal from 500 to 9,000 watts represents a significant advancement for public radio broadcasting as well as Emory & Henry's radio broadcast education. "We believe that WEHC will offer a wonderful, noncommercial radio alternative to listeners all over the region."

Other Monday speakers included WEHC Station Manager Glenn Gleixner and Station Manager Richard Graves.

WEHC has existed in several incarnations, beginning as a small AM station in 1929, one of the first radio stations to go on air in the state of Virginia. Keller has honed it gradually since it went on air as an FM station in 1992, first broadcasting on 100 watts, 500 by 2007, and initiating a partnership with the Virginia Tech Foundation, broadcasting 'Radio IQ' when programming wasn't local.

Emory's signal increase represents a win-win, opening up a broader audience for both stations.

In the meantime, Keller has groomed student talent and interest, simultaneously recruiting numerous community personalities to helm broadcasts. The latter group includes former Glade Spring town councilman Jim Barker, Chilhowie's Rev. David St. Clair, E&H professor emeritus Steve Fisher, Bristol BCMA and Crooked Road official Tim White, and Radford University sociology professor Rana Duncan-Daston.

The list also includes former Abingdon Town Planner Al Bradley, Barter Theatre Outreach Director Evalyn Baron, Star Museum owner Robert Weisfeld and physician/musician Mark Handy. Emory & Henry show hosts include Dr. Aris Winger, an E&H professor of mathematics who takes on political and social issues; Alumni Director Monica Hoel; and instructional technologist Harry Baya.

Genres of programming include music from Broadway to bluegrass to China pop, plus political commentary, sports, psychology, medicine, educational programming and occasional live remotes, occasionally on Thursday eveningss from Meadowview's Harvest Table restaurant.

The radio station signal is streamed throughout the day and can be found online at www.ehc.edu.

Keller said, "Emory & Henry is known for community service, and we hope our college and community programming will serve the public interest more effectively with the more powerful signal."

Radio show sponsorship opportunities are progressing. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Keller, at 276-944-6822; or email to tdkeller@ehc.edu.

See video clip

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