WGH (AM)
On the 6th of December 1926, a new radio station named WPAB received its license to operate on 940 kHz. This early broadcast emerged during the chaotic expansion of American radio in the late 1920s. The Federal Radio Commission assigned it the call letters WGH shortly after its launch in 1928. Virginia holds many stations with four-letter identifiers today, yet WGH remains unique as the only three-letter call sign still active in the state. It survived periods where operators temporarily used WNSY and WCMS instead. The name itself carries meaning for the local region. WGH stands for World's Greatest Harbor, a slogan reflecting the heavy shipbuilding industry in Hampton Roads. Both commercial and military ports define this Tidewater area of Virginia.
The station began life at 940 kHz before shifting to 1310 kHz in 1928. International treaties later forced another move when NARBA took effect in 1941. That agreement pushed WGH up to 1340 kHz to avoid interference across North America. Regulators allowed the return to 1310 kHz just seven years later in 1948. These shifts reflect the constant pressure from global agreements on domestic broadcasters. Each change required new equipment and adjusted transmission patterns. The journey from 940 to 1310 shows how political decisions shaped daily listening habits. Listeners in Newport News adapted their radios repeatedly over two decades. No other station in Virginia has undergone such a complex series of frequency changes since those early days.
WGH transmits with 20,000 watts during daylight hours and drops to 5,000 watts after sunset. A directional antenna system protects other stations sharing the 1310 AM band. This technology sends most of the signal eastward toward Hampton Roads while reducing power elsewhere. The transmitter sits off Mary Ann Drive in Hampton near the border with Newport News. Programming also reaches listeners through an FM translator at 100.9 MHz. That translator operates at 250 watts and carries the same audio feed as the main AM signal. The combination allows clearer sound for car radios and home stereos alike. Engineers monitor the directional pattern constantly to ensure compliance with federal rules. Nighttime reductions prevent interference with distant stations on the same frequency.
For much of the 1960s and 1970s, WGH played popular top 40 music hits. On the 5th of October 2009, the station swapped formats with WXEZ to become Star 1310. This new identity focused on urban gospel music for the local community. Three years later on the 28th of July 2017, management switched to playing oldies from the 1950s and 1960s. Listeners heard classic rock and soul tracks under that banner until early 2019. By the 28th of February 2019, the format shifted again to urban talk and oldies branded as 1310 The Power. Business talk arrived on the 15th of June 2020 under the name Money Talk. Just three months after that change, sports programming took over on the 6th of January 2023. Each transition required new staff training and updated marketing campaigns for the audience.
Max Media currently owns and operates the station from offices on Greenwich Road in Virginia Beach. The company manages operations for multiple radio properties across the region. Studios and administrative functions remain located at that specific address throughout recent ownership changes. Fox Sports Radio provides most of the current programming lineup for the sports format. The station identifies itself as Fox Sports 1310 and 100.9 to listeners tuning in locally. Max Media handles all licensing renewals and regulatory filings with federal agencies. Their headquarters supports daily broadcasting decisions and long-term strategic planning. The corporate structure allows flexibility when switching formats or adjusting signal strength. Local management teams work directly with national networks to schedule shows.
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Common questions
What does the call sign WGH stand for?
WGH stands for World's Greatest Harbor, a slogan reflecting the heavy shipbuilding industry in Hampton Roads. This name highlights both commercial and military ports that define this Tidewater area of Virginia.
When did WGH receive its initial license to operate on 940 kHz?
On the 6th of December 1926, a new radio station named WPAB received its license to operate on 940 kHz. The Federal Radio Commission assigned it the call letters WGH shortly after its launch in 1928.
How many times has WGH changed its frequency since launching?
The station began life at 940 kHz before shifting to 1310 kHz in 1928. International treaties later forced another move when NARBA took effect in 1941, pushing WGH up to 1340 kHz, followed by a return to 1310 kHz just seven years later in 1948.
Where is the transmitter for WGH located today?
The transmitter sits off Mary Ann Drive in Hampton near the border with Newport News. A directional antenna system protects other stations sharing the 1310 AM band while sending most of the signal eastward toward Hampton Roads.
What format does WGH play as of January 2023?
Sports programming took over on the 6th of January 2023 under the name Fox Sports 1310 and 100.9. Fox Sports Radio provides most of the current programming lineup for this sports format.