WBRT project brings local FM radio back to Nelson County

STAFF REPORT

Monday, Nov. 19, 2012 — After an absence of a FM radio station in Bardstown and Nelson County for well over a decade, Bardstown Radio Team LLC, the owners and operators of WBRT 1320 AM, have completed installation of its new 97.1 FM station.

The project began earlier this year with the purchase of the station and FCC approval to move it from its location near Radcliff to Bardstown. The process was slowed by the rules that do not allow a radio station to change ownership while its license renewal is pending. Both WBRT and the 97.1 FM stations, like all Kentucky radio stations, were in license renewal until early August.

While the FM antenna was being installed, work crews discovered the guy wires supporting the WBRT tower needed to be replaced to allow the safe mounting of the new antenna. The work was completed last Thursday, Nov. 15, and the FM station was turned on to full operational power and higher antenna level.

The new 97.1 FM signal will allow improved audio quality for listeners and for better nighttime coverage compared to WBRT’s 1320 AM signal after sunset. Since WBRT is the only radio station providing coverage of our local high schools sports, it was extremely important to the owners to get the improved nighttime coverage.

The Federal Communications Commission mandates that this license rebroadcast the WBRT 1320 AM programming. WBRT’s daytime programming has already added some new elements such as Bluegrass Music Show with Monroe Rice each Wednesday at 1 p.m. and an eclectic new show from Bardstown’s Pen Bogert featuring blues, jazz, and the early era of rock that airs on Thursdays at 1 p.m. Bob Manning’s acclaimed “Bob’s Country” airs each Friday at 1 p.m. They join the ever popular Fred Hagan’s morning show and Matthew Fogle’s afternoon show on WBRT. Look for more new programming elements in the future on WBRT in both daytime and nighttime segments.

WBRT and its owners wish to thank Bethel Fellowship of McDanial for agreeing to sell the radio station license and to Salt River RECC for its assistance in the process to get 97.1 FM broadcasting while awaiting this final technical improvements.

Bardstown Radio Team also operates BRTV on Bardstown Cable Channel 19 each weeknight. The local programming on BRTV has expanded recently with the addition of monthly segments with Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles and Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts.

-30-