WQPM explained

WQPM
Above:Simulcasting KLCI Elk River
City:Princeton, Minnesota
Area:St. Cloud, Minnesota
Branding:Bob Total Country
Frequency:1300 kHz
Translator:107.5 W298CE (Big Lake)
Airdate:June 28, 1967[1]
Format:Classic country
Power:1,000 watts day
83 watts night
Class:D
Facility Id:59618
Coordinates:45.5494°N -93.5811°W
Callsign Meaning:W Q Princeton Minnesota (previous format and city of license)
Affiliations:Compass Media Networks
Westwood One
Minnesota Lynx
Owner:Dennis and Lucas Carpenter
Licensee:Milestone Radio LLC
Sister Stations:KLCI, KDDG, WLKX-FM, KASM, KBGY
Webcast:Listen Live
Website:mybobcountry.com
Licensing Authority:FCC

WQPM (1300 AM) is a radio station airing a classic country format.[2] Licensed to Princeton, Minnesota, United States, the station serves the St. Cloud area. The station is currently owned by Dennis and Lucas Carpenter, through licensee Milestone Radio LLC.[3]

Radio station KPCS 89.7 licensed to Princeton, shares its tower with WQPM.[4]

History

WQPM signed on June 28, 1967. It was initially licensed for 500 watts, but upgraded to 1,000 watts in 1968.[5]

In the 1980s, WQPM AM was simulcast on FM at 106.3 (now KLCI on 106.1). WQPM-FM at the time, was licensed for 3,000 watts, covering much the same area as its AM counterpart.[6] The format at the time was much the same as it is today. [7]

On September 13, 2018, WQPM changed formats from oldies to classic hits, branded as "Killer Bee Radio".[8]

On December 21, 2019, the station began stunting.[9] On January 1, 2020, the station returned to being known as The Big Q, playing oldies music. It was at the time a simulcast of WLKX-FM in Forest Lake.[10]

On February 13, 2022, WQPM changed its format from oldies to a simulcast of classic country-formatted KLCI 106.1 FM Elk River, branded as "Total Country Bob FM".[11] Big Q Radio, however, continues streaming oldies on the internet: Big Q Live, as well as on KDDG & KLCI 105.5 & 106.1 HD3.

Sister station WLKX in Forest Lake also joined the BOB-FM network.[12]

The station is an affiliate of the Minnesota Lynx basketball team, and games are broadcast on KLCI, as well as its sister stations. [13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History cards for WQPM. United States Federal Communications Commission audio division.
  2. Web site: Station Information Profile . Winter 2010 . . 2010-02-18.
  3. Web site: WQPM Facility Record . United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division . 2010-02-18.
  4. Web site: Princeton, MN's Sole Radio Tower. www.ubstudios.com. April 22, 2024.
  5. Web site: History cards for WQPM. Federal Communications Commission audio division.
  6. Web site: WQPM-FM 106.3 Princeton MN Todd Melby 1982. Drew Durigan.
  7. Web site: Broadcasting Cablecasting Yearbook. Broadcasting Publications. 153. 1988.
  8. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/170517/big-q-evolves-to-killer-bee-in-minneapolis-suburbs/ Big Q Evolves to Killer Bee in Minneapolis Suburbs
  9. http://www.northpine.com/blog/2019/12/21/north-metro-stations-drop-format-promise-big-changes-jan-1 North Metro Stations Drop Format, Promise “Big Changes” Jan. 1
  10. Web site: Big Q brings fun lovin radio to the north metro and beyond. Forest Lake Times. Jason DeMoe. April 8, 2016.
  11. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/219885/bob-expands-to-five-minnesota-stations/ Bob Expands To Five Minnesota Stations
  12. Web site: Bob FM Adds Several More North Twin Cities Metro Signals. NorthPine.com. Jon Ellis. February 13, 2022.
  13. Web site: Minnesota Lynx Radio Affiliates. Minnesota Lynx. Women's National Basketball Association.