| SimulcastsWGSP-FMPageland, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Charlotte metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1310kHz |
| Branding | Kaliente 102.3 y 107.5 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Spanishtropical |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WGSP-FM,WXNC,WNOW,WOLS | |
| History | |
First air date | August 23, 1958 (67 years ago) (1958-08-23) |
Call sign meaning | "Great Sounds of the Past" (from former format) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 10631 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 5,000watts day 240 watts night |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°15′23″N80°51′52″W / 35.25639°N 80.86444°W /35.25639; -80.86444 |
| Translator | 107.5 W298CF (Charlotte) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kalienteclt.com |
WGSP (1310kHz) is acommercialAMradio station inCharlotte, North Carolina, known asKaliente 102.3 y 107.5. It is owned by Norsan Media and broadcasts aSpanishtropicalradio format. Programming istrimulcast onWGSP-FM 102.3MHz andFM translatorW298CF at 107.5 MHz.
By day, WGSP is powered at 5,000wattsnon-directional. But to protect other stations on1310 AM, it greatly reduces power at night to 240 watts and switches to adirectional antenna. Theradio studios are on East Independence Boulevard in Charlotte. Thetransmitter is off Bellaire Drive, near West Brookshire Freeway (North Carolina Highway 16) in Charlotte.[2]
In addition to the main station on 1310kHz, WGSP programming is relayed to anFM translator.
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W298CF | 107.5 FM | Charlotte, North Carolina | 157114 | 250 | D | LMS |
On August 23, 1958, the stationsigned on as WKTC as acountry music station. It was adaytimer station, required to go off the air at night. WKTCdisc jockey Johnny Jacobs demonstrated that a person could live in afallout shelter for a long period of time (which people during theCold War feared they would have to do), spending a week there and contacting the station by phone.[3]
WKTC became Charlotte's first full-timeChristian radio station in September 1970, withgospel music and "contemporary inspirational singing" as well assyndicated religious programming and news. Response was very positive. Program director Bill Hicks said a "Top 40" style format was being considered.[4] Around the same time, George H. Buck Jr. bought the station, which became WHVN.[5] As of 1980, about 65 percent of programming was "spoken word".[6] When the1240 frequency became available early in the 80s, allowing 24-hour broadcasts, WHVN moved from 1310, which only allowed a daytime signal.
WGSP ("Great Sounds of the Past") returned to the air as one of Charlotte's firstoldies stations, playing a wide variety of standard pop hits and "beach music." In 1985, with no other area stations playingclassic rock this small AM station became one of the first in the country to shape a format around vintage rock and roll from the 1960s and 1970s. WGSP became the second most listened to AM station in the market. At its peak, the WGSP air staff included Program Director Paul Ingles, Rick Ballew, Fielding Spicer, David Appleford, Phil England and Darby James. After a couple of years of growth by WGSP, other FM stations in the region adopted the "Classic Rock" format and, with their better signals, WGSP lost audience and was sold to religious broadcasters.
WGSP became agospel station[7][8] and this format continued until 2004, when the switch was made to the current format.[9] During 2006 and 2007, WGSP's programming aired onWGSP-FM, at 102.3 FM.[10][11] Programs included "La Voz del Immigrante" ("The Voice of the Immigrant").[12] WGSP has simulcast the La Tremenda Network withWXNC.
