WQRM
| |
| Broadcast area | Duluth–Superior |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 850 kHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Christian radio |
| Network | VCY America |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | VCY America |
| History | |
First air date | April 26, 1963 |
Former call signs | WWJC (1963–2014) |
Former frequencies | 1270 kHz (1963–1970) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 74191 |
| Class | D |
| Power |
|
Transmitter coordinates | 46°39′19.00″N 92°12′40.00″W / 46.6552778°N 92.2111111°W |
| Translator | 97.7 W249CX (Duluth) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | vcyamerica.org |
WQRM (850 AM) is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Operating during the daytime hours only, it carries a Christian radio format, owned and operated by VCY America.[2] WQRM's transmitter is on East McCuen Street in Duluth, near the St. Louis River.
Programming is heard around the clock on 250-watt FM translator W249CX at 97.7 MHz.
History
[edit]The station signed on the air on April 26, 1963, as WWJC.[3] It has always broadcast a Christian radio format. The original owner was the Twin Ports Christian Broadcasting Corporation.[4] It originally broadcast at 1270 kHz and ran 5,000 watts.[3][4] Its original city of license was Superior, Wisconsin.[4] In 1970, its frequency was changed to 850 kHz which was coupled with a power increase to 10,000 watts. The city of license was changed to Duluth, Minnesota.[3]
In 2014, the station was sold to VCY America for $400,000.[3] In 2016, WQRM was granted a license to increase daytime power to 50,000 watts, with critical hours set at 14,000 watts.[5]
On August 8, 2021, WQRM was the victim of a fire that totally destroyed the new transmitter as well as the backup transmitters.[6][7][8] The fire caused over $500,000 in damage to the transmitter and other equipment and $75,000 in structural damage.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WQRM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ WQRM fcc.gov. Accessed April 18, 2014
- ^ a b c d "Duluth Christian radio station WWJC to be sold", Duluth News Tribune. February 1, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c History Cards for WQRM, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- ^ "Application Search Details". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ "WQRM 850 AM off air due to fire". August 9, 2021.
- ^ Harlow, Tim. "Fire heavily damages Duluth Christian radio station", Star Tribune. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "WQRM Duluth Knocked Off-Air Due To Transmitter Fire", InsideRadio. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ Rahman, Arman. "Decades-Old WWJC Radio Station Heavily Damaged In Early Morning Fire", KQDS-TV. August 8, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 74191 (WQRM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WQRM in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 138738 (W249CX) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W249CX at FCCdata.org