Branding Light For Life Format Christian radio | Frequency 96.3 MHz | |
City Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Broadcast area Williamsport, Pennsylvania Translator(s) 100.5 W263AG (South Williamsport) | ||
WJSA-FM (96.3 FM) is a radio station licensed to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, USA, the station serves the Williamsport area. The station is currently owned by Covenant Broadcasting Company.
Contents
Translators
In addition to the main station, WJSA-FM is relayed by an additional translator to widen its broadcast area.
History
WJSA was originally an AM only radio station authorized to operate during the daytime at 1600 on the dial. Though not a Christian format, the station did air some daily devotional programs. In the fall of 1980 the station's owner, Williamsport businessman Ken Breon, sought the help of John Hogg as broadcast engineer and programing consultant, then within the year as General Manager. Under Mr. Hogg's management and with Mr. Breon's agreement and involvement, the station changed format to full-time Christian programming. The AM station also extended its hours of operation and improved coverage.
The Birth of WJSA-FM
24 years ago, Mr. Hogg identified an available FM frequency which would provide extended coverage and allow 24 hours a day service. Two years later the FCC granted the application and Light for Life... WJSA-FM began broadcasting on November 1, 1984 with a power of 3,000 watts at 93.5 FM. A new company to operate the facilities was formed, Covenant Broadcast Company, a partnership between Ken Breon and John Hogg.
Expanding the FM Coverage
Almost immediately Mr. Hogg identified the opportunity for several stations in the area to upgrade their signal strength by changing frequencies. This required cooperation of those stations and FCC approval took the next 12 years. In the early spring of 1997 this power upgrade was realized and Light for Life...WJSA's frequency was changed to 96.3 FM with a power equivalent of 25,000 watts.
New Listeners and a Continued Commitment to Mid-state Pennsylvania
Other changes resulted and Light for Life...WJSA continues providing "solid" Christian music, Bible based programming, and news and information from a Christian world view, to its enlarged listening area of Mid-state Pennsylvania. Since the upgrade the station has heard from listeners as far west as Altoona, and as far east as Wilkes-Barre; from the New York Border to the north, and Sunbury to the South. In the immediate Williamsport and Montoursville area, WJSA can also be heard on 100.5 FM.
The People Behind the Mic
Light For Life...WJSA's staff consists of Morning Host Kimberly Joy, Jersey Shore; Computer Specialist Matt Hogg, Avis; News Director Liz Brady, Watsontown and Secretary Shirley Wion, Linden. The WJSA Sports Department includes Ed Brown, Jersey Shore; Steve Lehman, Jersey Shore; Sam Jordan, Loganton; and Dick Martin of Williamsport.
General Manager and Chief Engineer John Hogg and his wife Ann reside in Avis, PA and are the parents of three grown children and a granddaughter (all of whom have been announcers).
John holds an engineering license in radio broadcasting and is a graduate of Reformed Episcopal Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
Ann serves as Office Manager at WJSA and is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Bible. The whole Hogg family are members of New Life Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Williamsport, where John serves as an Elder.