WGTB

WGTB (often referred to as GTB) is Georgetown's college radio station. The original WGTB callsign was held by Georgetown University from 1946 until 1980. During the 1970s the station was plagued by financial issues and controversies surrounding its programming, resulting in the University's decision to shut it down in 1978. In 1980, the WGTB license was donated to the University of the District of Columbia, who sold it to CSPAN in 1997 for $25 million. Though Georgetown's station used other names in the interim, since 2001 it has broadcast mainly online, again using the name WGTB.1

Early Radio at Georgetown

The University's earliest experiences with radio began in late 1937, when students formed the Radio Club (later named the Georgetown Amateur Radio Club). In its early days, club members practiced Morse code transmission in Maguire Hall as well as organizing guest lectures on radio phases. Advanced members worked on constructing an oscillator and repairing amplifying equipment for converting light waves into sound waves.2 In 1938, the Club built an amateur radio station in the basement of Maguire, as part of the Physics Laboratory.3

In March 1938, the club changed its name to the Georgetown Amateur Radio Club and adopted a constitution, stating its purpose was to "foster a spirited interest in amateur radio." Only faculty and licensed, dues-paying members were allowed to use the station. Club members attended special morning classes in physics and in preparation for the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) exam to become certified amateur radio operators. Also in March 1938, Father Kolkmeyer, S.J. (the chair of the Physics Department) and several club members erected an aerial antenna between the south tower of Healy Hall and the roof of Ryan Hall.4

In April 1938, the station was assigned the temporary call signal W3AJL. That month, using a transmitter loaned by physics instructor Mr. Herring and a receiver belonging to Club president Jack Thompson, the Club was able to contact and communicate with stations in Canada, Cuba, Belgium, France, and the United States. It also received a transmission intended for the Chinese Embassy sent from Wuchang, China and relayed via a station in Wisconsin. Club members held conversations with various stations as well as sending and receiving messages for students.5 The original transmitter was capable of using all amateur frequencies with an output of 50 watts.6

During the summer of 1938, the first station was moved from its place within the physics lab to a separate, adjacent room so that it could operate without interruption. Three windows allowed viewers to see into the station from the physics lab. The Club continued its programing that fall with classes in code practice and radio theory, while members announced plans to enlarge the station.7

That same fall, members of the Mask and Bauble Club also announced plans to install a radio station so they could broadcast dramatic productions, apparently unaware of the station already existing in Maguire.8 In December of 1938 the Mask and Bauble Club's performance of Abraham Lincoln was successful enough that they were able to buy radio equipment from the profits earned on ticket sales.9 In February 1939, Mask and Bauble announce plans to construct "an experimental radio station" in White-Gravenor, in an alcove off of the senior lounge. The station would be separated by a sound-proof wall but able to transmit only within campus. Unlike the station in Maguire, the Mask and Bauble station was open to any student.10

Establishment of WGTB

In 1940, alumnus Raymond Reiss (1919) donated funds to Georgetown for the construction of a radio studio meant to be used for instruction in public speaking. During after-school hours students began using the studio for newscasting and music broadcasting and in 1941 the Georgetown Broadcasting System (GBS) was formed as a student organization, broadcasting on an AM band on campus only.11, 12 The first student known to have participated is Robert H. Ewing, Jr., who was listed in the 1944 Georgetown College Journal Commencement Number (that year's equivalent of Ye Domesday Booke) as having been a member for his first two years at Georgetown.13 World War II interrupted GBS's history when many of its members went to war and the transmitter was dismantled, while the U.S. Navy took some of the equipment.14

GBS was resurrected in 1946 by Father Francis Heyden, S.J., during which time that year's Domesday Booke said it was "among the first to shake off the dust of the war years and set the pace in restoring the G.U. activities to normalcy." Twenty-five student members were pictured in the Domesday Booke. GBS began using the "WGTB" callsign that year in its broadcasts as the WGBS callsign had already been adopted by a station in Florida.15, 16

WGTB was originally located in the basement of Copley Hall, and hosted the Georgetown University Radio Forum as well as The Blue and Gray Show. Father Daniel Power, S.J., a professor of history, soon became the moderator of the Radio Forum, which was a program featuring distinguished speakers in conversation with Georgetown students. Its first episode on November 24, 1946 featured Dr. Saylor of the Bureau of Standards and Father Conway of the National Catholic War Council discussing the use of atomic energy during peacetime. In its first four years the Forum hosted a number of prominent speakers, notably including Senator Joseph McCarthy. In 1950 the Forum began being broadcast nationally on the Liberty Broadcasting System, as well as in Washington on both WARL and WOL.17

During WGTB's early years the station was known for its professional-level programming despite dealing with technical challenges. Because of its status as a college station, it had to abide by FCC regulations that it be broadcast only on campus. In 1951 it had three transmitters: one near each of the campus's main switchboards in New North, Copley Hall, and the Annex. 

By 1951 the station was broadcasting for six hours per day (excluding weekends) and had a teletype news service and equipment for remote broadcasting of sports games. It also set up public address systems on campus when these were needed.18

Transition to FM 

In March of 1960, the station announced plans to begin broadcasting on its own FM band, pending approval from the FCC.19 That approval was granted in May and a new, 99-foot antenna was placed on Copley Hall. On October 1, the station became the first long-range educational FM broadcaster in Washington. The station also acquired new receiving and transmitting equipment, which gave the antenna a range of 30 - 40 miles. Its FM frequency was 90.1, while it continued to use its old AM 550 frequency for on-campus transmission.20

The station's transition to FM was seen as an important factor in its success and influence both on campus and in the metropolitan region. In 1961 an article in The Hoya noted a general lack of interest in student activities across campus, while highlighting WGTB as an exception to that trend. Associate station manager Walt Higgins said that "turning FM" was a factor in the station's "success story."21 In February of that year, the station's importance as a source of campus information was highlighted when President Edward B. Bunn, S.J., asked The Hoya and WGTB to help stress the importance of the University's Civil War Centennial Observance.22 

Also in 1961, the station announced plans to join the National Association of Educational Broadcasters.23 In March of that year WGTB became the exclusive national broadcaster of a Voice of America series on biological science.24 On March 12 three staff members (Ed Richards, Frank Gudicello, and Jack Burgess) were elected to head the Capitol Region of the Intercollegiate Broadcast System, giving them oversight of seven schools in and around Washington. All three attributed their election to the station's strong reputation.25 The station also received new equipment that year, including a new studio for the transmitter with a firewall to eliminate its humming sound.26

In January 1963 WGTB interviewed Lt. Col. John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, when he visited Georgetown to film an episode of "The Experts Answer," sponsored by the United States Information Agency.27 The station continued to expand its broadcast hours and coverage that year, adding a Spanish-language program and a series of German lessons.28 It also moved into a new studio that fall.29 Another major change that fall was the end of AM broadcasting: the station transitioned to FM-only, citing the high cost and poor results of using AM as well.30

On Friday, November 22, 1963, WGTB began broadcasting two hours earlier than normal, at 2:00 PM, to begin reporting on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy just thirty minutes previously. The station continued to broadcast its own live coverage of events through the following Monday night. Correspondents at Andrews Air Force Base, Bethesda Naval Hospital, and the White House contributed taped reports while Taping Director Glenn Morgan used telephone, tape recorders, and live feed to to broadcast live coverage of the funeral procession on November 24.31 

In 1964, sophomore Gus Motta conducted the longest broadcast in WGTB history to that point, a sixteen hour marathon of Richard Strauss's music to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.32

Crises and Changing Direction

Although the station continued to improve its equipment throughout the 1960s, it struggled to find a wide audience in the later part of the decade. In 1968 FM Magazine listed WGTB as having the second lowest listening audience of FM stations in the Washington area, above only American University's college station.33

In 1969, three freshmen (Rich Robin, Rich Weaver, and Jerry Wichlac) briefly launched their own radio station to compete with WGTB. Called WPAD (People's Autonomous Dormitory Radio), the transmission on Wednesday, February 19 used a one-watt transmitter in New South room 253.  FCC officials quickly picked up on the broadcast and came to New South to shut it down as it was unlicensed and violated several communications laws.34

Hoya columnist and frequent critic of WGTB Charley Impaglia wrote that while WGTB "provide[s] a valuable service to the community,... their disc jockeys favor banter over comment, their station manager has not yet decided among rock, easy listening, and classical music as to what will be the station's ultimate direction, and their progressive programming is stupefied by a lamentable sameness."35

Nonetheless, the station continued to expand its offerings and became a 24-hour broadcaster in 1970.36 A March 20 ad in the Hoya claimed that the station's "new sound" programming had resulted in it gaining its largest audience ever.37

WGTB's new approach was outlined in November 1970 when its program director Peter Barry Chowka explained that the station had "slowly moved away from the traditional concept of college radio, that is, copying, usually without success, commercial radio." Instead, Chowka called the new format "free-form," in which hosts were selected and allowed to play whatever music interested them during their allotted time. That fall the station also acquired a new transmitter and antenna that increased their range to an over 50-mile radius.38 

The 1970 - 71 school year proved tumultuous however, as that fall former station moderator Father Heyden filed charges against WGTB including failing to operate the station according to the format upon which the license had been granted, replacing Heyden as moderator "without sufficient cause," purchasing "inferior technical equipment," and purchasing "indecent and anti-semitic records" for its library. Chowka refuted the charges, but the station was forced to cease broadcasting until a hearing could settle the issue.39 The station was allowed to resume operations a few weeks later, but disagreement over the charges remained, with some believing that they were a product of Heyden's vindictiveness upon being replaced.40

The decision to replace Heyden came when he spent $2,000 of the station's budget on UPI (United Press International) wire services, unapproved by the station board. This resulted in WGTB having to cease coverage of away basketball games through the end of the 1970 - 71 school year since they were costly to cover.41

Also in fall 1970, news director Tom Hoffmann received a White House press pass, making him the only college journalist regularly admitted to daily press briefings.42

Shut-down Attempts

In February 1971 the station was faced with another demand to cease transmissions when physics faculty in Reiss Science Center complained that the WGTB transmitter was interfering with their lab equipment. Chowka and the administration reached a compromise where the station would be off the air from 9 AM to 5 PM daily while a solution to the problem was investigated.43

On March 4 the station suffered another setback when its antenna was blown down in 60 mph winds, causing a loss of $5,900 and making broadcasting impossible.44 

In May 1971 the past school year's tensions came to a head when University president Father Robert J. Henle, S.J., took complete control of the station, prohibited its staff from entering, and appointed a commission to decide the future of the student organization.45 That commission met for weeks of hearings in fall 1971, at which station managers Chowka and J. Garvin Walsh accused Henle of "wrest[ing] control of the station from the legitimately elected operators during the summer when no one was around to oppose him," based on his and Heyden's objection to its "counter-culture programming." At that time WGTB was the largest-budgeted student activity at Georgetown.46

In late September, the commission strongly recommended that the station be returned to operation as quickly as possible. The task force recommended that a professional station manager would share control of WGTB with three student board members.47 On October 17, Henle issued a statement saying he accepted the commission's recommendations.48 The station finally returned to the air on December 7, nine months after its antenna had been destroyed. It planned to broadcast for eleven to twelve hours daily during the final exam period before eventually returning to a 24-hour schedule.49

In late August of 1972, the station began broadcasting in stereo.50

On January 23, 1973, WGTB resumed broadcasting on AM as well as FM, using its old AM 550 frequency. The AM programming was completely different from FM though, with a separate program director. WGTB program director Thomas O'Brien described the new schedule as "more conservative" than its FM counterpart, emphasizing pop music and "specials which have a peculiar Georgetown importance." The AM station could only be heard in and around buildings with a direct feed.51

In 1973 the station announced plans to buy a new, long-range antenna to bring their broadcasting range back to 50 miles. Since 1971 they had been using a temporary, smaller antenna that only covered Washington and its immediate environment.52

Throughout the 1970s, the station faced continued controversies as its programming was often deemed too "progressive" both musically and politically. Its status as an educational station meant that it was charged to "serve the public's interest, convenience, and necessity," putting it in the difficult position of attempting to please both on-campus and off-campus audiences. In 1974, a student government survey showed that 51.1% of students disapproved of its programming and more than 70% almost never listened to it.53

In 1975, President Henle convened another review board, this time meant to determine the future of WGTB's relationship with the University.54 In March of 1976, Henle closed the station on the recommendation of the review board, planning a 30 - 60 day period of reorganization before it would be allowed to broadcast again. This partially hinged on the fact that the FCC was considering whether to renew WGTB's broadcast license.55 In April, the Community to Save Alternative Radio (CSAR) advertised in The Hoya that it was "working to reinstate WGTB as an Alternative Radio Station."56 CSAR sought to gain the license but the FCC rejected this and the University reopened the station that fall, administered by the president's office rather than the Student Activities Office. The programming was described as "more alternative than some of the other stations, but it still has a way to go before it can be called an alternative station."57

Tensions remained between the University administration and the station, and in 1978 University president Timothy Healy, S.J., announced that the station would be permanently closed and its license transferred to the University of the District of Columbia. Healy called WGTB "a great animal" that "doesn't belong in the zoo" and said that "It just doesn't fit the Georgetown community."58

Resurrection

Once the WGTB license was transferred to UDC, the Georgetown station resumed broadcasting using its older, wired AM system under the name WROX. Soon, station staff members resumed using the WGTB name unofficially. The current set-up was born from the efforts of student Shan Vosseller, who in 1996 worked to revive WGTB and helped build its current studios in Leavey Center. The station still broadcasts over FM, although this signal can only be received in wired dorms. It has broadcast online since 2001.

• 1"History," Georgetown Radio. http://georgetownradio.com/about
• 2"Radio Club Formed by Students with Aid of G.U. Faculty," The Hoya, December 17, 1937, Vol. XIX No. 9, p. 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047627
• 3"Much Interest Shown in New Radio Club," The Hoya, January 19, 1938, Vol. XIX No. 11, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047629
• 4"Radio Club Elects J. Thompson President," The Hoya, March 9, 1938, Vol. XIX No. 17, pp. 3, 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047635
• 5"Radio Club Sets Up G.U. Amateur Station," The Hoya, April 6, 1938, Vol. XIX No. 20, pp. 3, 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047638
• 6"Amateurs 'Sign Off' After Fine Season," The Hoya, May 18, 1938, Vol. XIX No. 23, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047641
• 7"Amateur Radio Club Resumes Operations," The Hoya, October 19, 1938, Vol. XX No. 2, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047643
• 8"Thespians Plan Radio Station for Hilltop," The Hoya, October 19, 1938, Vol. XX No. 2, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047643
• 9"Ambitious Year Seen for Hoya Actors," The Hoya, January 15, 1939, Vol. XX No. 11, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047652
• 10"Plans Underway for G.U. Radio Station," The Hoya, February 8, 1939, Vol. XX No. 13, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/1047654
• 11"Georgetown University on the Air," Georgetown University Alumni Magazine, Winter 1950 - 51, Vol. 3 No. 4, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/709094
• 12"WGTB Fortunes Rise with FM Conversion," The Hoya, September 29, 1960, Vol. XLII No. 2, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555111
• 13"Robert H. Ewing, Jr.," Georgetown College Journal, June 1944, n.p. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/559459
• 14"Georgetown University on the Air," Georgetown University Alumni Magazine, Winter 1950 - 51, Vol. 3 No. 4, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/709094
• 15"G.B.S.," Ye Domesday Booke, 1946 - 47, pp. 132 - 133. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/559460
• 16"Georgetown University on the Air," Georgetown University Alumni Magazine, Winter 1950 - 51, Vol. 3 No. 4, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/709094
• 17"Georgetown University on the Air," Georgetown University Alumni Magazine, Winter 1950 - 51, Vol. 3 No. 4, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/709094
• 18"Georgetown University on the Air," Georgetown University Alumni Magazine, Winter 1950 - 51, Vol. 3 No. 4, p. 7. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/709094
• 19"WGTB Board Elected, Higgins New Manager," The Hoya, March 31, 1960, Vol. XLI No. 21, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555106
• 20"WGTB Fortunes Rise with FM Conversion," The Hoya, September 29, 1960, Vol. XLII No. 2, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555111
• 21Tom Scmeye, "History of the Apathetic Apteryx; Or Whatever Happened to You?" The Hoya, January 19, 1961, Vol. XLII No. 14, p. 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555123
• 22James Bond, "Civil War Observance Scheduled for Spring," The Hoya, February 16, 1961, Vol. XLII No. 15, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555124
• 23"Nugent Takes Helm as WGTB Selects Board Membership," The Hoya, February 16, 1961, Vol. XLII No. 15, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555124
• 24"Round-Up," The Hoya, March 16, 1961, Vol. XLII No. 18, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555128
• 25"Area Schools Pick Broadcast Officials," The Hoya, March 16, 1961, Vol. XLII No. 18, p. 7. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555128
• 26"Hoya Radio Station Opens New Season," The Hoya, October 5, 1961, Vol. XLIII No. 3, p. 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555137
• 27"Panel Questions Glenn in Making Movie Here," The Hoya, January 17, 1963, Vol. XLIV No. 13, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555172
• 28"Schulman Heads WGTB; Departments Enlarged" The Hoya, February 14, 1963, Vol. XLIV No. 13, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555173
• 29Jim Giammo, "WGTB Revamped; Extra Hours Useful for Grand Designs," The Hoya, September 26, 1963, Vol. XLV No. 2, p. 5. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555185
• 30"WGTB Directs Tour for Faculty Viewing; Halts A.M. Function," The Hoya, November 21, 1963, Vol. XLV No. 10, pp. 2, 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555193
• 31"WGTB at Full Tempo in Tragedy Coverage," The Hoya, December 12, 1963, Vol. XLV No. 12, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555195
• 32"Motta to Dominate Air with Strauss Marathon," the Hoya, May 1, 1964, Vol. XLV No. 24, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555207
• 33"Newsbriefs," the Hoya, November 7, 1968, Vol. LII No. 9, p. 4. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555306
• 34"F.C.C. Silences Pirate Station in New South," the Hoya, February 27, 1969, Vol. LII No. 16, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555313
• 35Charley Impaglia, "Copping Out, or Hello Gene!" the Hoya, February 27, 1969, Vol. LII No. 16, p. 9. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555313
• 36"WGTB-FM," the Hoya, February 27, 1970, Vol. LIII No. 16, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555336
• 37"WGTB-FM," the Hoya, March 20, 1970, Vol. LIII No. 19, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555339
• 38Peter Barry Chowka, "WGTB Approach Focuses on Free-Form Format," the Hoya, October 22, 1970, Vol. LIV No. 8, p. 10. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555351
• 39"WGTB Refutes Charges," the Hoya, November 5, 1970, Vol. LIV No. 10, pp. 1, 10. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555353
• 40Kevin O'Brien, "WGTB 'On the Air' - Dispute Continues," the Hoya, November 12, 1970, Vol. LIV No. 11, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555354
• 41"GTB Cuts Away Games," the Hoya, February 4, 1971, Vol. LIV No. 14, p. 14. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555357
• 42Harry McFarland, "WGTB's Hoffman Holder of White House Press Pass," the Hoya, November 19, 1970, Vol. LIV No. 12, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555355
• 43Rich Hluchan, "University, GTB Reach Compromise; Programs Cut Back Pending Inquiry," the Hoya, February 18, 1971, Vol. LIV No. 16, pp. 1, 8. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555359
• 44Bob Hayes, "GU Station Blown Off the Air Seek Ways to Resume Service," the Hoya, March 11, 1971, Vol. LIV No. 19, pp. 1, 12. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555362
• 45Don Hamer, "1970 - 71: What You Missed," the Hoya, September 5, 1971, Vol. LV No. 1, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555368
• 46"Chowska, Walsh Testify," the Hoya, September 10, 1971, Vol. LV No. 2, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555369
• 47"Task Force Advocates Quick Return for 'GTB," the Hoya, September 30, 1971, Vol. LV No. 5, pp. 1, 12. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555372
• 48"WGTB to Resume Broadcasting Soon," the Hoya, October 22, 1971, Vol. LV No. 8, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555375
• 49"WGTB Resumes Daily Broadcasting," the Hoya, December 10, 1971, Vol. LV No. 13. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555380
• 50"Three WGTB Directors Quit; Deny Misuse of Radio Funds," the Hoya, September 8, 1972, Vol. LV No. 2, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555395
• 51Mike Basile, "WGTB Adds AM Format to Broadcast," the Hoya, February 9, 1973, Vol. LVI No. 16, pp. 1, 7. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555408
• 52Andy Lang, "WGTB Claims Harassment by Federal Agency," the Hoya, April 6, 1973, Vol. LVI No. 24, p. 6. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555416
• 53John Coogan and Ken Koenig, "GTB: Oppressed or Oppressive?" the Hoya, January 25, 1974, Vol. LVII No. 14, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/554916
• 54Ted J. Sudol, "WGTB Review Board Holds Initial Meeting," the Hoya, October 24, 1975, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/554962
• 55Margaret Henry, "University Shuts GTB," the Hoya, March 17, 1976, Special Edition, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/554976
• 56"WGTB-FM," the Hoya, April 23, 1976, p. 2. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/554982
• 57Jim Colaprico, "WGTB on the Air Again; Programs Not Yet Alternative," the Hoya, September 4, 1976, p. 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/554983
• 58Alan Fogg, "Georgetown Plans Closing of GTB," the Hoya, April 7, 1978, p. 1. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/555032