Allegheny Mountain Radio
Encyclopedia
Allegheny Mountain Radio or AMR is a network of Full Service
and Freeform
formatted broadcast
radio station
s.
The stations broadcast from and to Pocahontas
and Pendleton
Counties in West Virginia
and Bath
and Highland
Counties in Virginia
.
This network of stations is unique as it is the only radio stations that are broadcast from these counties. The area sits within the National Radio Quiet Zone
, which surrounds the Green Bank Radio Telescope
in Green Bank, West Virginia
. Due to the NRQZ and surrounding mountainous terrain, few out-of-area radio signals penetrate these counties.
All stations in the network are owned and operated by Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation.
Radio transmission operations began in June 1981. WVMR-AM 1370 is the only radio station operating within the inner core of the Radio Quiet Zone. WVMR is also the only AM station in the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation network.
In a span of three years, AMR's other stations went on the air. In May 1995, the Monterey, Virginia
-based WVLS-FM launched, followed by WCHG-FM from Hot Springs, Virginia
in June 1995, and the translator FM station W278AL from Durbin, West Virginia
in July 1998.
During a "filing window" for applications for non-commercial educational FM stations, in 2007 and 2008, the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation applied for construction permits for stations in Marlinton, West Virginia
, Hillsboro, West Virginia
, and Franklin, West Virginia
. WVMR-FM was constructed and began test transmissions on October 6, 2010, with full operation beginning on October 26, 2010. Due to a lack of funding, and a lack of interest on the part of public that was to be served, WVPC was not constructed. Its construction permit was allowed to expire on December 18, 2010. As of December 20, 2010, WNMP was not yet broadcasting.
.
Music heard on the Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) stations varies from country music
to rock music
, and from contemporary hit radio
to adult standards
. News broadcasts are updated throughout the day from a team of AMR reporters. During the high-school football season, local football games are broadcast as well. Allegheny Mountain Radio also broadcasts informational programming such as the local "Book Talk", which comes from the McClintic Public Library in Marlinton, West Virginia
.
The 2 to 3 hour shifts are hosted by volunteers who are on the air only on certain days, while some DJs broadcast Monday through Friday.
Full service (radio format)
The full service radio format consists of a wide range of programming. Mostly found on the AM band, the format can be found on a handful of FM stations...
and Freeform
Freeform (radio format)
Freeform, or freeform radio, is a radio station programming format in which the disc jockey is given total control over what music to play, regardless of music genre or commercial interests. Freeform radio stands in contrast to most commercial radio stations, in which DJs have little or no...
formatted broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
radio station
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...
s.
The stations broadcast from and to Pocahontas
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
and Pendleton
Pendleton County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,196 people, 3,350 households, and 2,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile . There were 5,102 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile...
Counties in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
and Bath
Bath County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...
and Highland
Highland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,536 people, 1,131 households, and 764 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 1,822 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...
Counties in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
This network of stations is unique as it is the only radio stations that are broadcast from these counties. The area sits within the National Radio Quiet Zone
United States National Radio Quiet Zone
The United States National Radio Quiet Zone is a large area of land surrounding the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia, and especially the large Green Bank Telescope radio telescope. The Radio Quiet Zone is a rectangle of land approximately in size that straddles...
, which surrounds the Green Bank Radio Telescope
Green Bank Telescope
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope and the world's largest land-based movable structure. It is part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory site at Green Bank, West Virginia, USA. The telescope honors the name of the late Senator...
in Green Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank is a census-designated place in Pocahontas County in West Virginia's Potomac Highlands inside the Allegheny Mountain Range. Green Bank is located along WV 28. Green Bank is also close to the Snowshoe Mountain ski resort...
. Due to the NRQZ and surrounding mountainous terrain, few out-of-area radio signals penetrate these counties.
All stations in the network are owned and operated by Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation.
History
Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation was formed in April 1979 as a non-profit organization to operate the community radio stations for educational and charitable purposes. Financial support for AMR comes from individual donations, underwriting from businesses and grants.Radio transmission operations began in June 1981. WVMR-AM 1370 is the only radio station operating within the inner core of the Radio Quiet Zone. WVMR is also the only AM station in the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation network.
Monterey, Virginia
Monterey is a town in Highland County, Virginia, United States. The population was 158 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Highland County.-Geography:Monterey is located at ....
-based WVLS-FM launched, followed by WCHG-FM from Hot Springs, Virginia
Hot Springs, Virginia
Hot Springs is a census-designated place in Bath County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 738. It is located about 5 miles southwest of Warm Springs on U.S. Route 220. Hot Springs is the site of a number of resorts that make use of the springs.The area is...
in June 1995, and the translator FM station W278AL from Durbin, West Virginia
Durbin, West Virginia
Durbin is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Durbin is situated in the northern part of Pocahontas County at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Greenbrier River. It is thus the starting point of the...
in July 1998.
During a "filing window" for applications for non-commercial educational FM stations, in 2007 and 2008, the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation applied for construction permits for stations in Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.-History:...
, Hillsboro, West Virginia
Hillsboro, West Virginia
Hillsboro is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 243 at the 2000 census.- History :Hillsboro was named for pioneer John Hill, from North Carolina, who built a log cabin near what is now Lobelia...
, and Franklin, West Virginia
Franklin, West Virginia
Franklin is a town in Pendleton County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 797 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pendleton County...
. WVMR-FM was constructed and began test transmissions on October 6, 2010, with full operation beginning on October 26, 2010. Due to a lack of funding, and a lack of interest on the part of public that was to be served, WVPC was not constructed. Its construction permit was allowed to expire on December 18, 2010. As of December 20, 2010, WNMP was not yet broadcasting.
Stations
| Call Sign | City of License | Frequency | Watt Watt The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:... age | Coverage Area | Founded | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WVMR | Frost, West Virginia Frost, West Virginia Frost is an unincorporated community in eastern Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States.... |
1370 kHz | 5,000 watts day only | Pocahontas County Pocahontas County, West Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 9,131 people, 835 households, and 527 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 7,594 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile... |
June 1981 | |
| WVLS | Monterey, Virginia Monterey, Virginia Monterey is a town in Highland County, Virginia, United States. The population was 158 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Highland County.-Geography:Monterey is located at .... |
89.7 MHz | 360 watts | Highland County Highland County, Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 2,536 people, 1,131 households, and 764 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 1,822 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile... |
May 1995 | |
| WCHG | Hot Springs, Virginia Hot Springs, Virginia Hot Springs is a census-designated place in Bath County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 738. It is located about 5 miles southwest of Warm Springs on U.S. Route 220. Hot Springs is the site of a number of resorts that make use of the springs.The area is... |
107.1 MHz | 160 watts | Bath County Bath County, Virginia As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile... |
June 1995 | |
| W278AL | Durbin, West Virginia Durbin, West Virginia Durbin is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Durbin is situated in the northern part of Pocahontas County at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Greenbrier River. It is thus the starting point of the... |
103.5 MHz | 50 watts | Durbin Durbin, West Virginia Durbin is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Durbin is situated in the northern part of Pocahontas County at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Greenbrier River. It is thus the starting point of the... /Bartow |
July 1998 | |
| WVMR-FM | Hillsboro, West Virginia Hillsboro, West Virginia Hillsboro is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 243 at the 2000 census.- History :Hillsboro was named for pioneer John Hill, from North Carolina, who built a log cabin near what is now Lobelia... |
91.9 MHz | 550 watts | Hillsboro Hillsboro, West Virginia Hillsboro is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 243 at the 2000 census.- History :Hillsboro was named for pioneer John Hill, from North Carolina, who built a log cabin near what is now Lobelia... |
October 2010 | |
| WNMP | Marlinton, West Virginia Marlinton, West Virginia Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.-History:... |
88.5 MHz | 1,000 watts | Marlinton Marlinton, West Virginia Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.-History:... /Huntersville Huntersville, West Virginia Huntersville is an unincorporated census-designated place located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia in the Alleghany Mountains. As of the 2010 census, its population was 73. It is located six miles east of Marlinton and four miles west of Minnehaha Springs. Huntersville received its name because... |
New/Off Air |
Music Programming
Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) has no set format, unlike most other radio stations in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Music heard on the Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) stations varies from country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
to rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, and from contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
to adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
. News broadcasts are updated throughout the day from a team of AMR reporters. During the high-school football season, local football games are broadcast as well. Allegheny Mountain Radio also broadcasts informational programming such as the local "Book Talk", which comes from the McClintic Public Library in Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.-History:...
.
Air shifts
Most shifts are between 2 and 3 hours, with the exception of the Morning and Afternoon shows which run between 4 and 5 hours.The 2 to 3 hour shifts are hosted by volunteers who are on the air only on certain days, while some DJs broadcast Monday through Friday.