They used to brag about "50,000 Watts" and being "Clear Channel". Clear channel means NO other 870 any where else in the country. That's why it's easy to pick up at long distances. The smaller local stations that used 870 all had to sign off at night so they wouldn't step on WWL. (I think there were about eight or ten of these clear channel stations, a hold over from the days when radio was king of communications. They used to have a great midnight show called "Charlie Douglas and the Road Gang" that catered to cross-country truckers. This was especially cool in the 70's and early 80's when CB radio was so popular. Back then, we all wanted to be truckers, not gangstas. Anyone remember that old Charlie Douglas show? It was on the air for thirteen years. I learned the greatest trucker's song title from that show: "Raindrops on my windshield and Teardrops on my steering wheel, while eighteen wheels keep humming 'home, sweet home'". Let's see ya top that title! Just another little fun fact from the Way-back Machine. ldskule:
KWKH in Shreveport is another 50,000 watt clear channel station. between them, LSU night games can be heard over most of the country.
My grandfather was the captain of a few minesweepers and destroyers in WWII. He could occasionally pick up WWL in the South Pacific. Charlie Douglas and the Road Gang...great stuff. Reminds me of when Bob Ruby was on during the daytime.
