View source for WMIC

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{{Infobox Radio station
 | name = WMIC
 | image = [[Image:WMIC-AM.jpg|200px]]
 | city = [[Sandusky, Michigan]]
 | area = [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D] (Daytime)
 | branding = ''WMIC 660 AM''
 | slogan = The Thumb's Information Station
 | airdate = June 27, 1968
 | frequency = 660 [[kHz]]
 | format = [[Full Service (radio format)|Full Service]] Radio Station - [[News/Talk]] & [[Country Music]]
 | power = 1,000 [[watt]]s (Daytime only)
 | erp = 
 | class = D
 | callsign_meaning = '''W'''ireless '''MIC'''rophone
 | former_callsigns = 
 | owner = [[Sanilac/GB Broadcasting]]
 | webcast = 
 | website = [http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/ www.sanilacbroadcasting.com]
 | affiliations = [[Citadel Media|ABC]], Michigan Farm Radio Network
}}
'''WMIC''' (660 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[news/talk]] and [[Country music|country]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Sandusky, Michigan]]. WMIC signed on the air at 1560&nbsp;kHz on June 27, 1968, and changed its frequency to the current 660 in 1987, serving [[Sandusky, Michigan|Sandusky]], [[the Thumb]] and the Blue Water area of Michigan.<ref>[http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/history.shtml Sanilac Broadcasting] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511221359/http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/history.shtml |date=May 11, 2008 }} - About Us</ref><ref>[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-m/wmic.html Michiguide.com - WMIC History]</ref> Part of WMIC 660's success is mostly due to the large area the station covers. WMIC covers the complete Thumb area of Michigan, unlike any other area station. Also, WMIC can be heard from both sides of Lake Huron, [[Standish, MI|Standish]] and [[Oscoda, MI|Oscoda]] to the west, and [[London, Ontario]] to the east. On clear weather days, the station can be heard as far away as [[Roscommon, MI|Roscommon]], [[Ann Arbor, MI|Ann Arbor]], and [[Lansing, MI|Lansing]].<ref>[http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WMIC&service=AM&status=L&hours=D WMIC Coverage]</ref>

WMIC has two co-owned FM [[sister stations]], Light and Easy Listening 97.7 [[WTGV-FM]] and Country 92.5 [[WBGV]]; the stations are locally owned and operated by [[Sanilac/GB Broadcasting|Sanilac Broadcasting]].

WMIC carries 1,000 [[watt]]s operating during the day only. The station signs off between sunset and sunrise to protect [[WFAN]] New York, a 50,000 watt [[clear-channel station|clear channel]] radio station. In the late evenings and early mornings, they interfere with each other.

==History==
WMIC was first granted a construction permit to operate at 1560&nbsp;kHz on May 10, 1965, and at a thousand watts maximum power.  The station was authorized to operate only from sunrise to sunset, protecting [[WFME (AM)|WQXR]].  Transmitter facilities were constructed along Cooper Road near M-19, about a mile and a half south of Sandusky.  Shortly before sign-on, the station set up studios at 19 South Elk Street in downtown Sandusky [http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=65038].

The call letters were assigned that October.  Unforeseen delays resulted in extensions being granted, pushing its actual sign-on date to 1968.  Prior to sign-on, the station was granted pre-sunrise authority of 500 watts, which allowed it to sign on two hours before local sunrise, keeping its sign-on time consistent to 6:00am daily.

In 1969, George Benko, a Croswell resident, bought into Sanilac Broadcasting Company.  He and his family still control the station today.

In 1971, WMIC-FM signed on the air, giving Sandusky radio listeners local service after sunset, but this would change six years later, when both entities would separate programming and WMIC-FM would become [[WTGV]].

In 1987, WMIC moved to the stronger dial position of 660&nbsp;kHz, but retained its same power values and daytime-only status.

==Programming==
*WMIC features a [[News Talk Information|news and talk]] format weekdays, including:
**[[Rush Limbaugh]] weekday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm, and a heavy commitment to local news and information.<ref>[http://www.sanilacbroadcasting.com/shows.htm Shows & Programming]</ref>
*A country classics show is aired weekdays from 9am-Noon.
*WMIC 660 AM is home to "[[Tradio|Swap Shop]]" a buy, sell, and trading show from 1 to 2 pm weekdays, and 8 am Saturdays. This show draws in listeners from all over [[The Thumb|the region]].
*On the weekends, the station carries the [[Glenn Haege]] Master Handyman Show, Money Talks with [[Bob Brinker]], and a [[Polka]] music show, hosted by Paul Osentoski, a member of the Michigan Polka Hall of Fame.
*When not featuring news/talk programming, WMIC plays modern country music. After 6:15 pm weekdays (pending on sign off time), the station is completely dedicated to music.
*Staff list includes legendary reporter and General Manager Bob Armstrong, Program Director Stan Grabitz, News Director Renae Davis, Stephany Fraley, Jessica Fraley, Bron Miller and Paul Osentoski.  Former WMIC staffer Dominic Fracassa now works at [[WLEN]]-FM in [[Adrian, Michigan]].

WMIC has faced tough competition in the [[Thumb Radio|Thumb Area Radio Region]], due to its full service format. [[WLEW (AM)|WLEW]] in Bad Axe also features a show similar to "Swap Shop", and features a more music-intensive country format. [[WPHM]] in Port Huron carries a news/talk format, including [[Sean Hannity]], and [[Glenn Beck]], as well a morning show similar to WMIC's. WPHM is also on the air 24 hours a day allowing them to carry [[Coast to Coast AM]]. Larger FM country stations, like [[WKCQ]] in Saginaw and [[WSAQ]] in Port Huron provide competition. Nevertheless, WMIC has still found an audience of loyal listeners.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-m/wmic.html Michiguide.com - WMIC History]
{{AM station data|WMIC}}

{{Thumb Radio}}
{{News/Talk Radio Stations in Michigan}}
{{Daytime-only radio stations in Michigan}}

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[[Category:Radio stations in Michigan|MIC]]
[[Category:Country radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Sanilac County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Daytime-only radio stations]]