WECR

WECR
Newland, North Carolina; United States;
Frequency	1130 kHz
Branding	Star 94.3
Programming
Format	Adult contemporary
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner	Curtis Media Group; (High Country Adventures, LLC);
Sister stations	WWMY; WZJS; WATA; WMMY; WXIT;
History
First air date	August 14, 1978; 47 years ago
Last air date	June 2024; 1 year ago
Former call signs	WJTP (1978–1996)
Call sign meaning	We care about the high country
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	29515
Class	D
Power	1,000 watts (day)
Transmitter coordinates	36°4′39.5″N 81°54′58.4″W / 36.077639°N 81.916222°W
Translator(s)	94.3 W232CW (Boone)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen live
Website	www.goblueridge.net/index.php/live/star

WECR (1130 AM) was a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Newland, North Carolina, United States, it served the Boone, North Carolina, area. The station was owned by Curtis Media Group, through licensee High Country Adventures, LLC.

WECR transmitted with 1,000 watts by day, using a non-directional antenna. Because 1130 kHz is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A station WBBR in New York City, WECR was required to sign-off at night to avoid interference.

History

James T. Parker owned what was then called WJTP.^{[citation needed]}

Steve Rondinaro's Rondinaro Broadcasting purchased WJTP in 1996 and changed the letters to WECR. Rondinaro also started WECR-FM and added WXIT. Aisling bought these stations from Rondinaro as well as WATA and WZJS, owned by Highland Communications. Aisling went into receivership and George Reed of Media Services Group was appointed to manage the stations until a buyer was found.^[2] Later in the year, Curtis Media Group purchased the stations.^[3]

On January 10, 2022, WECR changed formats from southern gospel to adult contemporary, branded as "Star 94.3" in reflection of its simulcast on FM translator W232CW (94.3) in Boone.^[4]

WECR went silent in June 2024 after losing its transmitter site lease.^[5] The Federal Communications Commission cancelled the station’s license on July 21, 2025.^[6]

References

^ "Facility Technical Data for WECR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
^ Scott Nicholson, "Receivership: Local Stations Seek Buyer," The Watauga Democrat, March 14, 2008.
^ "Transactions for Oct. 10, 2008". Radio and Records. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
^ Star Shines Over Boone Radioinsight - January 12, 2022
^ Venta, Lance (June 30, 2024). "FCC Report 6/30: Benedetti Issued Show Cause Order For Billings Spectrum Warehousing". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
^ "License Cancelled". Federal Communications Commission Licensing and Management System. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.