The Small Studio Building Of WSIB-AM (Now WVGB-AM) In Beaufort, South Carolina

As early as 1957, the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation had applied for a license to put another AM Station in Beaufort, South Carolina; as it had already owned and operated WBEU-AM.

For the next few years, the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation actually found themselves in competition with another company with the same name, but different owners; for the allocation by the FCC to put a Radio Station on the air in Beaufort.

The Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation was operated by Chief Engineer Charles Bell, in addition to the Merrill and Klatt Families.

In 1961, the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation had settled with Mr. Ben Davies for the allocation in the area of 1490 kilocycles, and as a result; the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation was awarded a license by the FCC to put a 100 watt AM Station in Beaufort.

By January, 1962; the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation had put WSIB-AM on the air following months of construction.

In 1967, Charles Bell had applied for a Daytime Effective Radiated Power (ERP) increase of 500 watts, which was granted by the FCC. The FCC would also grant Mr. Bell’s application to increase the Nighttime ERP to 250 watts in 1969.

In November, 1973; the FCC had issued an order to the Sea Island Broadcasting Corporation, demanding an explanation as to why the FCC should not revoke the license of WSIB-AM due to this Station performing fraudulent billing practices.

After a succession of legal issues throughout the remainder of the 1970’s, the FCC, at first, had ordered WSIB-AM to cease operation in January, 1981. Then, the FCC had decided to authorize an interim operation of WSIB-AM to the new owners, William and Vivian Galloway until the sale had finalized.

By June, 1981; the same of WSIB-AM to the Galloways was finalized, and the Galloways had changed call letters to WVGB-AM. As of the time of writing this post, this Station still retains the WVGB-AM call letters.

In 1984, the Galloways, in addition to two other applicated; jointly filed for a license to put an FM Radio Station on the air. By 1985, WVGB-AM would spawn an FM offspring, WGCQ-FM, and would be assigned by the FCC to operate and transmit its signal at 92.1 megacycles. As of the time of writing this post, WGCQ-FM is currently WVSC-FM.

In 2011, after 30 years of owning and operating the former WSIB-AM; the Galloways would sell WVGB-AM to Partners Broadcasting Company; and they Galloways would sell what was by then WGZO-FM to L&L Broadcasting.

Below is the link to a photograph that was taken in 1971 of the front façade of the small Studio building of WSIB-AM on Boundary Street in Beaufort, South Carolina:

The location of the WVGB-AM Transmitter Site in Beaufort, South Carolina:

A Photograph of the WVGB-AM Tower (the Tower is seen in between the Trees and their Trunks, and behind the house with the Blue siding in this picture):


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