Oasis history
1959—FCC Granted First Broadcast License to Southern
1961—Programming Went Live
In November of 1961, WSMC aired program tests. Tests showed that a radio signal could be received as far as Signal Mountain. Programming went live in 1961.
1967—FCC Granted Power Increase to 80,000 Watts
1972—First in NPR’s New Distribution System
1974—FCC Granted Power Increase to 100,000 Watts
1985—WSMC Moved to Brock Hall
1987—Performance Today
Performance Today joined WSMC’s programming.
1990—Changed Frequency to 90.5 FM
The FCC coordinated a frequency change for WSMC to 90.5 FM in an effort to reduce interference. A new 560-foot tower and antenna were erected on Mowbray Mountain in Soddy-Daisy. The new location and equipment greatly improved coverage and penetration of signal, enabling WSMC to have a clear shot at downtown Chattanooga. The Mowbray site gave WSMC the ability to broadcast into the major valleys instead of across them, as it did from the White Oak Mountain site.
1991—Received Crystal Award
1996—
NPR membership was transferred to WUTC.
2002—Switch From Analog to Digital
2004—WSMC and Patten Performances
2005—Creating Partnerships with Chattanooga Organizations
WSMC began creating partnerships with Chattanooga organizations to promote and support the local community.
2006—Read With Me
2009—Refined Mission and Vision
2011—Change of Location
2011—Golden Anniversary
2014—From the Top
2014—Enhancing Programming & Student Training
2014—Welcome Oasis!
Oasis launches October 24th at 6:54pm (Sabbath) with the slogan "Pointing you to the Living Water." Oasis begins as an online stream while staff fundraise for broadcasting equipment to become the digital broadcast WSMC HD2, and ultimately to add an analog frequency on the standard FM band.
2015—Visits by Performance Today's Fred Child and Sunday Baroque's Suzanne Bona
2016—Trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest with Suzanne Bona
WSMC hosts its first trip for listeners May 9th to 19th, with Sunday Baroque's Suzanne Bona serving as host.