DXing – L.T. Hanlon

Erik of Farpoint Farms makes a compelling case for how AM radio can save lives.

I’ve written before about the value of AM radio during emergencies, and why, even in big cities, having a dependable portable, multipowered is a must.

Here, Erik of the Farpoint Farms YouTube channel explains how WATA-AM kept him and countless others informed after Hurricane Helene cut a path of destruction through western North Carolina.

“AM radio is often thought of as obsolete,” Erik writes. “I wouldn’t want to tell that to any of the tens of thousands that have relied on the info broadcast from this station for the past three weeks! Reach out to your local station and see if they need help staying on the air. many of these are mom and pop stations that are run by a single soul. When the time came, this station was ready to step up.”

Check out Farpoint Farms’ latest video above for recordings of WATA making a difference.

Google Street View photo shows a radio tower rising into the sky from a country scene in Kentucky. — **WCTT-AM transmits from this site in Whitley County, Kentucky. (Photo © Google)**

Picking up WCTT-AM from my high-rise home felt like a serendipitous dance with radio waves, a connection across almost 400 miles that brought me right into the heart of Corbin, Kentucky.

At night, with only 830 Watts powering its signal, the station on 680 kHz beams out tunes that transport listeners back to the days of Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, and other such ilk. The wonder of receiving this signal, especially from within the confines of a Faraday cage on the 54th floor, added a touch of magic to the experience.

WCTT, known affectionately as “Great 68,” is more than just a radio station; it’s a piece of living history, broadcasting since 1947. Now under the ownership of the Eubanks family, who run Encore Communications Inc., these folks’ dedication has kept the station alive and kicking, offering a slice of Americana to anyone lucky enough to tune in.

Corbin, the small town from where WCTT-AM broadcasts, is nestled in the heart of southeastern Kentucky, with a history that speaks to the complex tapestry of American life. Known for its scenic beauty and historical depth, Corbin is a place where the past is always present, echoing through the streets and the airwaves alike. It’s also where Colonel Sanders‘ dreams took wing.

So, as I sit back and let the oldies play, I’m not just listening to music; I’m connecting with a part of America’s heartland, a storied station, and a town steeped in history, all through the faint crackle of radio magic.

Receiver: CCRadio 2E using internal 8-inch AM ferrite antenna.