Local radio stations, yes...they still exist.

["PETER GEORGE, N1GGP" <PGEORGE@WELLESLEY.EDU>]

     As a long-time DX'er and broadcast engineer, I have had the pleasure
of hearing some of the most exotic radio, the world has ever seen.  WDME-FM,
in Dover-Foxcroft, ME has to be one of the most unusual stations I have ever
heard.  This station prides itself in being the ONLY station to operate from
a railroad boxcar.  I heard this station during a temperature inversion in
1990.  The train is called "The Gulfstream" and always was put "back into
the terminal to serve you again TOMORROW NIGHT, have a good evening".  I
wonder why he said "TOMORROW NIGHT" ?  At that time, WDME was on AM as well
as FM.  They turned off the AM about five years ago.  The FM has since 
gotten a power increase to 6,000 watts and switched to stereo.  
     Bob Bittner's WJTO has a long rich history.  My first encounter with
"Jay-tow, 730" was in 1971 when I was home from school with the flu and
was scanning the dial and found "One Toke Over The Line"-from Brewer and
Shipley from this somewhat weaker signal being splashed with WCAS/740.
What amazed me was the execution of the format of this little 1,000 watt
signal.  It was the "Drake Format", complete with Johnny Mann Singers jingles.
It signed off at sunset with the invitation to "join us on Stereo 95.3/WJTO
- -FM".  Admittedly I was taken aback hearing the Drake jingles ID "W-J-T-O !!!!,
 ......(sheepishly) ....b a t h.....".
     Finally, WSME-FM in Sanford.  This was one of Drake's "Hit Parade" 
stations.  During the week, it was top-40 based AC.  On weekends, it switched
to Drake's "Solid Gold, Rock and Roll" all oldies format.  I loved the
weekends.  But, during the mornings there was the obligatory "Swap Shop"
show.  I recall the idiots who tried to beat the 7 second delay with stuff
like...."Good morning you're on the Swap Shop on Stereo 92."  (caller) "Yes,
I would like to sell some plants to some anyone with a GREEN thumb". (host)
"Ahhh yes, the weekend gardener I see". (caller) "Yeah...this is some really
great Acapulco Gold....." (CLUNK!!!!)  "Ahummmm.  Good morning, your on the
"Swap Shop".  WSME-AM and FM was a 100% simulcast operation in 1976.  While
the FM was in true rich FM stereo, the AM was only transmitting the L-R
signal.  Meaning, none of the vocals or any talking that was in mono was
not to be heard.  It was out of phase.  I guess the FM was the major
part of the operation at the time.  Their AM was a daytimer on 1220 and
sometimes DID NOT sign-off.  Halfway through the song, the carrier dumped
at the appointed sunset time minus the legal ID.  Today, WSME-FM is WCDQ,
better known as "Mt. Rialto Radio".  I rather like it, myself.  It is
one of the better "Classic Rock" outlets in Northern New England.  WSME-
AM is basically satellite talk, now.


Are there other folks out there who have heard soem other very exotic
homegrown stations in the past.  Drop us a line.


- -Pete-

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Peter Q. George, N1GGP                  *  "Scanning the bands since 1967 !" 
P.O. Box 1183                           *                  +
Randolph, Massachusetts 02368-1183      *                  |
USA                                     *      73         +|+    de N1GGP
PGEORGE@wellesley.edu                   *                +\|/+
XERB@bigfoot.com                        *               + \|/ +
W221AG@hotmail.com (my FM translator)   *               + \|/ +
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