WDJL (1000 kHz, "Gospel Explosions") is a AM daytimer radio station licensed to Huntsville, Alabama, that serves the Huntsville - Athens - Decatur radio market. The station is owned by Dorothy Sandifer, doing business as WDJL Gospel Explosions. It broadcasts an urban gospel radio format with Christian talk and teaching shows.^[2]

By day, WDJL is powered at 1,100 watts, using a non-directional antenna. But because 1000 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A WMVP Chicago, WDJL must go off the air at night to avoid interference. The transmitter and studios are on Stringfield Road NW near Blake Bottom Road in Huntsville.^[3]

History

The station signed on the air on October 1, 1968; 55 years ago (1968-10-01). It was powered at 10,000 watts but was always a daytime only operation. It had a Top 40 format as WVOV. The call sign stood for the "Voice of the Valley."^[4] In 1979, the station flipped to a country music format before falling temporarily silent.^[5]

In May 1981 the station returned as WTAK.^[1] It was branded as "The New WTAK 10 AM", with an Adult Contemporary music format and a morning team of Mike Sweeney and Gary Drake. Limited by the daytime-only restrictions, the station went through several owners. Formats included Oldies, Jazz Fusion and a mix of album rock and classic rock.

In 1987, the station changed to a fulltime AOR format which it later shared with then-sister station 106.1 WTAK-FM.^[5] After a transition period to establish the FM home of the format, and an April 1994 call sign change to WDJL, the AM station was sold off in 1995.^[1]

In October 1996, local insurance and real estate broker Keith Sharp acquired the station as part of a land deal.^[6] The station flipped to an oldies music format under the moniker "Gold 1000".^[6]

The station ran 10,000 watts of power in a directional pattern until 2006 when its towers and the land on which they were located were sold off. The station relocated to a single tower and a smaller lot size.

The station was purchased by Dorothy Sandifer in 2008. The branding of the station was changed to "WDJL, Gospel Explosions, 1000 AM."