WPCL

WPCL is a religious-formatted radio station located in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. The station broadcasts programming from the He's Alive network on 97.3 FM.

History

Beginnings as WCCZ-FM

WPCL first signed on the air on September 30, 1991 as WCCZ-FM, licensed to Spangler, which is known today as the Borough of Northern Cambria. The station was the third and final of a group of stations founded by Raymark Broadcasting, a company owned by Ray Goss of Indiana, and Mark Harley, of Clearfield. Raymark had started their company with two other radio stations that they had built prior to this one: WCCS-AM in Homer City and WOKW-FM in Curwensville. Harley had purchased Goss' stake in the company by this time, as Goss wished to pursue other interests.

WCCZ operated on the same principle as its two sister operations...a small programming staff to handle local on-air duties, while relying on a satellite-delivered format to provide music and DJ's, enabling its service area to have the benefits of a full-service radio station without the expense of on-site disc jockeys. Though WCCS and WOKW used ABC/SMN's "Starstation" adult contemporary format for their own programming, Raymark chose to affiliate with "Goldies", the oldies format provided by the Jones Radio Network, along with AP world and national news. New studios and offices were constructed in a small storefront in downtown Spangler, at the intersection of PA Routes 219 and 271. In keeping with the network branding, the station became known as "Goldies 97.3".