City Manteo, North Carolina Frequency 99.1 (MHz) | Branding "99.1 The Sound" First air date 1986 | |
Broadcast area Elizabeth City/Nags Head Slogan "The Outer Banks Alternative" | ||
WVOD, is a commercial radio station licensed to Manteo, North Carolina serving the Outer Banks of North Carolina which includes Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. WVOD broadcasts at 50,000 watts at 99.1 FM and is formatted as an AAA or Adult Album Alternative music station. The station is owned by Hengooch LLC.
History
WVOD signed on in 1993 as the "Voice Of Dare"(Dare County), playing a wide ranging choice of music, from classical to heavy metal. Around 1996, WVOD became a full-fledged AAA station and the station moniker became 'The Sound 99.1" WVOD.
WVOD-FM began life as 99.3 FM or 99 3D, "Your Voices of Dare." Two Dare County Businesswomen established the station under the company name "Orbit Communications", and with the license and engineering permits in place, the station began broadcasting Easter Weekend in April 1986. At the time the station went on the air, there were only three full-time salaried announcers on the company payroll.
Broadcast power was limited to 3KW assigned to the 99.3 frequency, and the later shift to 99.1 was accompanied by an upgrade to transmitter power. The original studio and offices were located in an old hardware store on the Manteo Waterfront across the street from the Dare County Courthouse. A crew of volunteers, and part-time announcers quickly filled the ranks, and by Mid May the station had a complete staff of full and part-time announcers, and a news director.(Personal Account by Original Station Staff)
The station still remains true to its roots by playing many local artists, and thrilling the listeners by sponsoring local events, and concerts [Keller Williams, 7-AUG-2009, Brewing Station] and providing "Local flavor" to a diverse listenerership.
In 2006, Convergent Broadcasting LLC sold WVOD, WFMZ, WYND-FM and WZPR to CapSan Media LLC.
Hengooch, LLC bought WVOD, WYND, and WZPR/WFMZ in 2010 for $200,000. Max Radio of the Carolinas operates WVOD, WZPR/WFMZ, WCMS-FM and WCXL as of 2013; WYND was sold.