WVKC

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WVKC (90.7 FM) is a 1,000-watt radio station in Galesburg, Illinois, in west-central Illinois. Knox College is the station licensee, authorized by the Federal Communications Commission.

WVKC is a student-operated radio station of Knox College. The call letters were originally chosen to stand for "The Voice of Knox College", although that catch phrase is not in active use. WVKC was known as "Radio-Free Galesburg" until as recently as 2005, when students decided on "No Sale Radio," again emphasizing that WVKC is a non-commercial, not-for-profit organization. In 2006, students opted to change the name to simply "The Voice".

Format

According to station lore, WVKC's official mascot has been known as the "flaming bat." Though appearances are uncommon -- usually occurring in the station's library -- there are many bats living on the fourth floor of Knox's George Davis Hall, the same space that currently houses WVKC.

Unlike many other college radio stations, any student is welcome to become a DJ, with no experience necessary, and are free to play music of any genre. Members from the community have also contributed to the on-air schedule, contributing rock, jazz, gospel, and latin formats.

The station also features live web broadcasting for remote listeners, available at the station's [website]

History

Originally founded as an experimental radio station, WVKC has been operating continuously for more than 50 years, making it one of the oldest college radio stations.

ca. 1925 - Knox College briefly operated an experimental radio station under a different call sign.

1950s - WKC (WVKC's direct predecessor) operated as a carrier current radio station, broadcasting to selected locations on campus.

1961 - WVKC (a fourth letter having been added by the call sign) was granted by the FCC for a Low power FM station on 90.5 MHz. This was a Class D station at 10 watts ERP.

1980 - Station upgraded to 1000 watts ERP for better coverage in Galesburg and Knox county.

1990 - WVKC, in cooperation with the FCC, changed its FM frequency to 90.7 MHz. This was to reduce adjacent channel interference with Augustana College's WVIK at 90.3 MHz in the Quad Cities area.

External link

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