Radio WGRT

WGRT is an adult contemporary radio station in Port Huron, Michigan. It is owned by Port Huron Family Radio and broadcasts with a power of 3,000 watts. WGRT signed on in October 1991. The station airs a satellite-delivered AC format ("Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites") from Citadel Media.The groundwork for WGRT can be traced back to 1983, when the FCC first "dropped in" an FM license to Port Huron that year. As the local area prospered, it became evident that St. Clair County and the surrounding area could support another local radio station in addition to the five already on the air serving the local community.Port Huron Family Radio, headed by local pastor Marty Doorn, acquired the license after a lengthy set of competitive hearings. The new WGRT 102.3FM was finally granted permission by the FCC to go on the air in 1991. For a Class A station, WGRT had an unusually powerful signal, reaching more than 40 miles in each direction, and into the Detroit Metropolitan Area's fringes. WGRT went on the air using ABC/SMN's "Starstation" adult contemporary format (now called ABC AC), originating out of Chicago with DJ's Don Sainte-Johnn, Richard Steele, Sonny Taylor, etc. (later Dallas), thus eliminating the expense for a full-time local contingency of on-air personalities, though the station employs a full-time news director actively involved in the community.Following the sale of the five competing stations in Port Huron (WSAQ, WHLS, WHLX, WPHM, WBTI) by the end of the 20th Century, WGRT earned the distinction of being St. Clair County's sole locally-owned and operated commercial radio station. (The other locally-owned stations in the market - WNFA, WNFR, WSGR-FM, and WORW - are non-commercial and feature either religious or student programming.)