Planning board OK’s 107.1 tower

*correction added April 5, 2008; this story incorrectly said WAMO was on 106.1. Thanks to a reader for catching the mistake.

A Westmoreland County township planning commission has given its approval for Greensburg-licensed “Sam FM” WGSM-FM (107.1) to erect a new tower, according to the Tribune-Review.

The 100-foot tower on Solomon Temple Road in Unity Township, outside of Latrobe, will replace a 35-foot tower that was built in 2002.

A one-time FM sister station to the former WHJB (620) in Greensburg, WGSM was acquired by Pittsburgh’s Sheridan Broadcasting after it swapped its 105.9* MHz signal for cash and a weaker one on 106.7 MHz in Beaver Falls.

The Greensburg FM was used to fill holes in WAMO’s coverage area until the 106.7 stick was moved closer to Pittsburgh. Sheridan then moved the 107.1 tower — formerly located near the Irwin exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike — out to Chestnut Ridge to avoid interference with 106.7.

Michael Horvath of WGSM’s owner, Renda Broadcasting, told the Unity planning commission that the station’s signal has suffered in much of the county since then because of the mountainous terrain.

Renda purchased WGSM, formerly WSSZ-FM, from Sheridan in 2006 for a reported $2.2 million. The station broadcasts a variety hits format that leans toward the ’90s.

The planning commission’s recommendation will have to be approved by the township’s board of supervisors.