Scene in the series
In Stranger Things Season 5, the WSQK 94.5FM Radio Station Hill becomes a key location linked to communication, surveillance, and the growing sense that Hawkins is no longer isolated from the wider world. The radio station, known on air as “The Squawk,” appears as a local broadcast hub used during critical moments when information, signals, and coordination play an essential role in the story’s escalation.
Narratively, the WSQK 94.5FM radio station represents a shift in scale for the series. Earlier seasons relied heavily on walkie-talkies and small, private exchanges, but this location introduces the idea of public broadcasting and mass communication. It reinforces the feeling that the events of Hawkins are spilling beyond personal circles and into something larger, more exposed, and harder to contain.
The real location
The WSQK 94.5FM radio station seen in Stranger Things Season 5 is not a real, functioning radio station. It is a purpose-built set constructed by the production specifically for the series. The structure was built in a rural field near Hutchesons Ferry Road, in the Chattahoochee Hills area, southwest of Atlanta, Georgia.
Unlike many Stranger Things locations adapted from existing buildings, this radio station was designed from the ground up to meet the show’s narrative and visual requirements. Its isolated position, elevated setting, and utilitarian design were carefully chosen to convey the idea of a local broadcast facility operating on the fringes of town, both geographically and symbolically.
Why this location was chosen
The decision to construct the WSQK 94.5FM radio station as a standalone set gave the creators complete control over its appearance, layout, and surroundings. As Stranger Things progressed into later seasons, the story demanded locations that could support larger plot mechanics without being constrained by real-world architecture.
Building the set in Chattahoochee Hills allowed the production to stage scenes involving antennas, vehicles, and wide exterior shots without modern visual interference. The open landscape enhanced the sense of vulnerability and exposure, visually reinforcing the idea that signals, messages, and threats are no longer hidden. From a production standpoint, Georgia’s rural areas continue to offer flexibility, space, and logistical advantages for large-scale television builds.
Visiting the location
The WSQK 94.5FM radio station was a temporary set created exclusively for filming Stranger Things Season 5. It is not a permanent structure, and visitors should not expect to find an operational radio station or preserved filming site at the location.
The area around Hutchesons Ferry Road consists of private land and rural properties. Visitors should respect access restrictions and avoid trespassing. As with many purpose-built sets, once filming concluded, the structure was likely dismantled or removed, leaving little to no visible trace.
