VOWR

Broadcast areaSt. John's Metropolitan AreaFrequency800 kHz AMBrandingVOWRProgrammingFormatFull-service/community radio
Christian radioOwnershipOwnerWesley United Church Radio BoardHistoryJuly 24, 1924; 99 years ago (1924-07-24) as 8WMC8WMC (1924–1932)Voice Of Wesley RadioTechnical informationClassBPower10,000 watts days
2,500 watts nightsLinksWebcastListen LiveWebsitevowr.org

VOWR (800 kHz) is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The station is operated by the Wesley United Church of Canada with studios and offices at 101 Patrick Street.

VOWR is a Class B AM station. By day, it transmits 10,000 watts. To avoid interference at night, VOWR reduces power to 2,500 watts. It uses a non-directional antenna. The transmitter is off Mount Scio Road in the Pippy Park section of St. John's.^[1]

Programming

VOWR airs a mix of 30% Christian radio programming and 70% secular programming. Secular programming includes adult standards from the 1940s through the 1970s, along with classical, folk, classic country, oldies, marching band and beautiful music. There are also interviews and informational programs including "Consumer Reports," a gardening show, the 50+ Radio Show and others on a wide range of subjects.

VOWR is staffed by volunteers, many of them former broadcasters in the public and private local broadcasting industry.^[2]

History

VOWR first signed on the air on July 24, 1924; 99 years ago (July 24, 1924). Its original experimental call sign was 8WMC, which stood for the Wesley Methodist Church. Reverend Joseph G. Joyce (1889–1959) started the station to provide a companion to people unable to get to services, but it soon expanded to provide public service programming and entertainment.^[2]

Callsign

VOWR is one of just four broadcast radio stations in Canada whose callsigns do not begin with CB (for the CBC), CF, CH, CI, CJ, or CK. The others, VOCM, VOCM-FM and VOAR-FM, are also based in the St. John's area. With exception of VOCM-FM, which launched in 1982, all of these stations were founded before Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949. The ITU prefix VO was originally assigned to Newfoundland and remains in use by radio amateurs.

References

External links

• VOWR
• VOWR at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
• VOWR in the REC Canadian station database