WQRM

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Wikipedia

WQRM
Broadcast areaDuluth–Superior
Frequency850 kHz
Programming
FormatChristian radio
NetworkVCY America
Ownership
OwnerVCY America
History
First air date
April 26, 1963 (1963-04-26)
Former call signs
WWJC (1963–2014)
Former frequencies
1270 kHz (1963–1970)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID74191
ClassD
Power
  • 50,000 watts (days only)
  • 14,000 watts (critical hours)
Transmitter coordinates
46°39′19.00″N 92°12′40.00″W / 46.6552778°N 92.2111111°W / 46.6552778; -92.2111111
Translator97.7 W249CX (Duluth)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitevcyamerica.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

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

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WQRM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ WQRM fcc.gov. Accessed April 18, 2014
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Duluth Christian radio station WWJC to be sold", Duluth News Tribune. February 1, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 History Cards for WQRM, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Application Search Details". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  6. ↑ "WQRM 850 AM off air due to fire". August 9, 2021.
  7. ↑ Harlow, Tim. "Fire heavily damages Duluth Christian radio station", Star Tribune. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ "WQRM Duluth Knocked Off-Air Due To Transmitter Fire", InsideRadio. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ Rahman, Arman. "Decades-Old WWJC Radio Station Heavily Damaged In Early Morning Fire", KQDS-TV. August 8, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.