WRKE-LP is an Variety 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...

 licensed to Salem, Virginia

Salem, Virginia

Salem is an independent city in Virginia, USA, bordered by the city of Roanoke to the east but otherwise adjacent to Roanoke County. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 24,802 according to 2010 U.S. Census...

, serving Salem

Salem, Virginia

Salem is an independent city in Virginia, USA, bordered by the city of Roanoke to the east but otherwise adjacent to Roanoke County. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 24,802 according to 2010 U.S. Census...

 and the westside of Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...

. WRKE-LP is owned and operated by Roanoke College

Roanoke College

Roanoke College is an private, coeducational, four-year liberal-arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The college is located in Salem, Virginia, a suburban independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia...

.

History

The station got its start in 2005 when Jim Goodwin formed a club to establish a radio station on campus. Equipment was obtained and the station went on the air November 2005 with music played via computer automation until students returned after winter break to establish programming and shows. The station is building a fan base on campus and beyond as far as its low power transmitter can carry. While the broadcast radius is a mere 3 miles, this covers most of the Roanoke College community. Popular shows the past have included "Sports Report" (sports/talk radio), "The Buck and Brandon Show" (indepent/indie music showcase) and "The Pre-game with Sharkey and Grasso" (shock-jocks/music.) Current line-ups can be found on the station's website.
WRKE receives fan email from inmates at the Roanoke County-Salem Jail.

External links

• 100.3 The Wreck Online