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1410 WQBQ SILENT?

byron

byron

On CFLRADIO in the news section, I read that WQBQ has been silent since December 8th... However, I have to report that I was up in Lake county this past holiday weekend visiting family....and I scanned the dial to hear how 1240 and 1410 were doing, and both were on the air. I got the usual Spanish language format while listening from Mt. Dora when I scanned over to 1410, and Rama co-owned 1240 WKIQ was on the air as well. WKIQ's 790 watt signal sure was faint from the MD city limits, and it wasn't nearly that bad even 5 years ago.

Also -- I took a drive down Palm Circle to the old WKIQ studios where I once worked, and they have "Hometown Radio Station" slogans on the front doors now. They were playing oldies when I tuned in. That disassembled old C-Band mesh dish is still sitting there from the last time I drove by over a year ago.
 
Byron said:
On CFLRADIO in the news section, I read that WQBQ has been silent since December 8th... However, I have to report that I was up in Lake county this past holiday weekend visiting family....and I scanned the dial to hear how 1240 and 1410 were doing, and both were on the air. I got the usual Spanish language format while listening from Mt. Dora when I scanned over to 1410, and Rama co-owned 1240 WKIQ was on the air as well. WKIQ's 790 watt signal sure was faint from the MD city limits, and it wasn't nearly that bad even 5 years ago.

Also -- I took a drive down Palm Circle to the old WKIQ studios where I once worked, and they have "Hometown Radio Station" slogans on the front doors now. They were playing oldies when I tuned in. That disassembled old C-Band mesh dish is still sitting there from the last time I drove by over a year ago.
Click to expand...

WQBQ has had several CPs over the years including a more recent 10kw-DA-D upgrade using two towers. I don't know if that had anything to do with 1410 being off the air, but it possibly could be one reason.

Back in he 80s 1410 had a CP to add night service with 5kw-D-N using an East/West pattern. I don't recall how may towers, but I think it may have been three. Had they built that CP out, WQBQ would have been 5kw-U; DA-N which would have been a vast improvement over its current 90 watts night-time authorization.

Mark Tillery
General Manager
WELE-AM 1380
Ormond Beach - Daytona Beach, Florida
[email protected]
 
Yes, WQBQ would sign off early each evening during the last few days of their talk format in the early 90s. At some point they started staying on later, I believe when Sporting News programming came to the station. You couldn't get the station in Tavares back then after around 7:00 at night.... and considering the Lake Square Mall studios were practically in Tavares... that always made me laugh a little.

I'll see if I can tune in the 1410 this weekend when I'm around the area again. I'd also like to hear what WKIQ is trying now.. Hometown station reminds me of the last "local" news/talk operations there that took place at Palm Circle's studios more than 10 years ago.
 
According to the FCC database, WQBQ has filed an application for a STA to remain silent due to transmitter problems.

From the application (BLSTA20081119AQW):
"ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008, STATION WQBQ, LEESBURG, FL EXPERIENCED TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. SPECIFICALLY, THE TRANSMITTER STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THEREFORE A SIGNAL COULD NOT BE BROADCAST. AN ENGINEER HAS BEEN ENGAGED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WE ANTICIPATE THOSE CORRECTIONS TO TAKE THIRY (30) DAYS OR SO. OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, LICENSEE REQUESTS SIXTY (60) DAYS TO REMAIN SILENT OR UNTIL THE REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMITTER CAN BE MADE. "

The STA has not been granted as of this posting.
 
They were on the air last weekend as I drove by the area. Same spanish format.
 
I've noticed that there are two new towers at the WQBQ transmitter site... I'm wondering if WQBQ is now operating with 10kw-DA-D.

Mark Tillery
General Manager
WELE-AM 1380
Daytona Beach, Florida
[email protected]
 
I did notice I was receiving the signal decently from 75 on my way back to Tampa. I don't recall it being that strong.
 
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