WSQR

Radio station in Sycamore, Illinois
  • Sycamore, Illinois
Broadcast areaDeKalb County–Northern IllinoisFrequency1180 kHzBrandingThe QProgrammingFormatClassic hitsOwnershipOwnerNelson Multimedia Inc.
Sister stations
WDYS, WSPY-FMHistory
First air date
June 11, 1981 (at 1560)[1]
Former frequencies
1560 kHz (1981–2006)
Call sign meaning
Approximate abbreviation for its city of license of SycamoreTechnical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCCFacility ID16409ClassDPower
  • 900 watts day
  • 1 watt night
Translator(s)
  • 92.9 MHz W225CC (Sycamore)
  • 100.5 MHz W263BM (DeKalb)
  • 102.5 MHz W273CZ (Plano)
Links
Public license information
  • Public file
  • LMS
Websitewww.wlbkradio.com

WSQR (1180 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Sycamore, Illinois, the station is owned by Nelson Multimedia Inc. WSQR also broadcasts on FM translators W225CC 92.9 Sycamore, W263BM 100.5 DeKalb, and W273CZ 102.5 Plano.

History

WSQR began broadcasting on June 11, 1981, and was owned by Hometown Communications.[1][3][4] The station originally broadcast at 1560 kHz, running 250 watts during daytime hours only.[1] The station originally aired a MOR-adult contemporary format, with the slogan "Welcome to Our Sunshine".[1][3][4] A year later, the station began airing a country music format.[3][5] In spring 1989, the station began airing an oldies format.[3][6] In late 1990, the station switched back to a country music format.[3][7]

In 1993, after being silent, the station adopted a modern rock format, while temporarily being run by Northern Illinois University students.[8] The station again went silent in January 1994.[9]

In 1994, the station was sold to Larry and Pamela Nelson.[10][3] The station returned to the air at 6 a.m. on December 5, 1994, airing soft adult contemporary music from Jones Radio Networks, along with local news and information.[3][11] The station was branded "The Spirit of DeKalb County".[3][12] The station added nighttime operations in 1996, running 17 watts.[13] In August 1999, the station's format was changed to adult standards, carrying Timeless Favorites programming from ABC.[14]

WSQR moved to 1180 kHz in late 2006.[15][16] WSQR continued carrying Timeless network programming from Citadel Broadcasting until the network's shutdown in February 2010 when it adopted a classic hits format[17][18] (from Citadel's Classic Hits network). WSQR returned to the adult standards format in late summer of 2011, airing Dial Global's America's Best Music,[19] but in November 2012 switched back to classic hits, now airing Dial Global's Kool Gold format.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Broadcasting Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1982. p. C-76. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WSQR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 412-414.
  4. ^ a b "Despite snags, WSQR is on the air", Daily Chronicle. June 12, 1981. p. 2.
  5. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-84. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  6. ^ The M Street Radio Directory. 1990. p. 128. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  7. ^ The M Street Radio Directory. 1991. p. 136. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  8. ^ "Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 8. February 24, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  9. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 4. January 26, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Transactions", Radio & Records, September 16, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 50. December 14, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "WSQR", Daily Chronicle. February 26, 1995. p. 6.
  13. ^ "Facilities/Parameters: Grants", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 11. March 13, 1996. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  14. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 16 No. 34. August 25, 1999. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  15. ^ Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  16. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  17. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010, Broadcasting & Cable, 2010. p. D-200. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  18. ^ Devine, Cathy (2010-2011). The Radio Book 2010-2011. p. 219. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  19. ^ "Nelson Multimedia". Nelson Multimedia. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2018.

External links

  • WSQR in the FCC AM station database
  • WSQR in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
  • W225CC in the FCC FM station database
  • W225CC at FCCdata.org
  • W263BM in the FCC FM station database
  • W263BM at FCCdata.org
  • W273CZ in the FCC FM station database
  • W273CZ at FCCdata.org
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List of radio stations in Illinois
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Classic Hits radio stations in Illinois
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adult contemporary
classic hits
college
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oldies
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See also
Oldies
Classic Hits

42°00′24″N 88°40′40″W / 42.00667°N 88.67778°W / 42.00667; -88.67778