WQRL explained

WQRL
City:Benton, Illinois
Area:Southern Illinois / Marion / Harrisburg
Branding:Q106.3
Frequency:106.3 MHz
Airdate:October 1, 1973[1]
Format:Classic hits
Erp:12,500 watts
Class:B1
Facility Id:15378
Former Callsigns:WQRX (1973–1982)[2] [3]
Owner:Dana Communications Corporation
Webcast:Listen Live
Website:wqrlradio.com
Licensing Authority:FCC

WQRL (106.3 FM, "Q106.3") is a radio station licensed to Benton, Illinois, covering Southern Illinois, including Marion, Benton, and Harrisburg. WQRL has a classic hits format and is owned by Dana Communications Corporation.[4]

The station is an affiliate of the syndicated Pink Floyd program "Floydian Slip."

History

WQRX

The station began broadcasting October 1, 1973, and originally held the call sign WQRX.[1] [2] It had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 300 feet.[2] The station was branded "The Golden Voice of Southern Illinois",[5] and had a variety format.[6] In 1975, the station began airing easy listening music during the day and progressive rock at night.[6] By 1980, the station had begun airing a top 40 format.[7]

WQRL

In 1982, the station's call sign was changed to WQRL,[3] and the station adopted an adult contemporary format.[8] [9] In February 1993, the station's format was changed to country music, airing programming from Unistar's Hot Country network.[10] In 1994, the station's ERP was increased to 12,500 watts, at a HAAT of 459 feet.[11] In July 1996, the station adopted an oldies format, which lasted for more than 2 decades.[12] When the 2020s rolled along, its oldies format tweaked into a classic hits format.

External links

37.931°N -88.681°W

Notes and References

  1. The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991, Broadcasting & Cable, 1991. p. B-96. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=82734 History Cards for WQRL
  3. http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=15378&Callsign=WQRL15378 Call Sign History
  4. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WQRL WQRL
  5. "WQRX", Mt. Vernon Register-News, October 31, 1973. p. 3-A. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  6. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-05-03.pdf Illinois Station Shifts to E.L.
  7. Broadcasting Yearbook 1980, Broadcasting, 1980. p. C-64. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. "Answer Book", The Southern Illinoisan. September 30, 1984. p. 27.
  9. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-75. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  10. "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 8. February 24, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. "Construction Permit Activity", The M Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 3. January 19, 1994. p. 3. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  12. "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 30. July 24, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2018.