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WGMF (750 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Olyphant, Pennsylvania, and serving the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton radio market. Known as "Gem 99 and 100", it airs a classic hits format and is owned by Kevin Fitzgerald and Benjamin Smith, through licensee Geos Communications, LLC. WGMF is simulcast with co-owned 1460 WGMM in Tunkhannock, 1490 WGMA in Hazleton and 103.9 WGMF-FM in Dushore.

WGMF is a daytimer radio station. By day, it is powered at 1,600 watts using a non-directional antenna. But 750 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A WSB in Atlanta. So at night, WGMF must go off the air to avoid interference. Programming is heard around the clock on multiple FM translators around Northeast Pennsylvania: 93.9 FM in The Abingtons, 98.9 FM in Scranton, 99.9 FM in Wilkes-Barre, 100.1 FM in Hazleton and 100.9 FM in Tunkhannock.

History

WRGE and WWAX

The station signed on the air on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1986; 38 years ago (1986-12-24). Its original call sign was WRGE, owned by Ernke Media Enterprises. It aired a middle of the road format of popular adult music. It was powered at 400 watts, a quarter of its current output.

The call letters changed to WWAX in 1987. James Emmel, a former voice at WGBI 910, took the reins of WWAX "Live 75". Broadcasting a unusual playlist of songs, WWAX had its home on Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant.

Mixed Up Music

In 1993, Carmen Nordone (C.V. Nordone Broadcasting) purchased 750 AM. He changed the call sign to WMXH, using the slogan "Our Music Is All Mixed Up". WMXH operated under a multiple genre format that included Broadway and Hollywood show tunes, classic country, big band music, polka, 1950s and 1960s sock hop oldies and even some Southern Gospel favorites.

Five years later, in 1998, WMXH was purchased by Kevin Fennessy's Fennessy Broadcasting Stations Corporation to become WAAT. It was initially a leased-time ethnic station. In 2001, Fennessy changed format with the addition of the nationally syndicated advice show Dr. Laura with Laura Schlessinger along with the music of Frank Sinatra in the mornings. Earlier in his career, Fennessy had worked at WAAT (1300 AM) in Trenton, New Jersey.

Catholic programming

The call letters were switched to WQOR on June 17, 2003. It was the third station acquired by Buffalo-based Holy Family Communications, a Roman Catholic non-profit broadcasting organization. WQOR joined The Station of the Cross network. Named for "The Queen of the Rosary", WQOR began broadcasting Catholic programming provided primarily by the EWTN Radio Network. On April 1, 2008, Holy Family Communications sold WQOR to J.M.J. Radio, a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre based non-profit broadcaster.

On December 1, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability against J.M.J. Radio, Inc., in the amount of $10,000 for failing to maintain a management and staff presence at the site of WQOR's main studio.

Classic Hits

On February 12, 2023, WQOR announced it would end its Catholic religious shows. The "JMJ" Catholic programming would move to FM translator W283BE (104.5), which had previously been part of the "Gem" network, and the HD4 subchannel of 106.9 WEZX.

Effective May 31, 2023, Geos Communications acquired WQOR, along with sister station WAZL and translator W261DQ, from J.M.J. Radio in exchange for W283BE 104.5 FM. On November 5, 2023, the station changed its call sign to WGMF. The format flipped to classic hits, branded as "Gem 99 & 100". The station simulcasts with several AM stations and a network of FM translators in Northeast Pennsylvania.

References

1. "Facility Technical Data for WGMF". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
2. Gem99and100.com/about-us
3. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1987 page B-244. Retrieved Nov. 13, 2024.
4. WITK-AM/Pittston (Wilkes Barre)has been sold
5. North East RadioWatch: December 17, 2001
6. Radio Broadcasting History, Radio People (F)
7. WQOR owners bring Catholic radio to airways
8. FCC Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture
9. Gem Moves in Scranton Radioinsight - February 12, 2023

External links

• Facility details for Facility ID 8092 (WGMF) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WGMF in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
• Facility details for Facility ID 144931 (W255BO) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• W255BO at FCCdata.org
• Facility details for Facility ID 20846 (W280CV) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• W280CV at FCCdata.org

• Radio stations in Pennsylvania
• Radio stations established in 1984
• 1984 establishments in Pennsylvania
• Daytime-only radio stations in Pennsylvania
• Classic hits radio stations in the United States