WHMX

{{Infobox radio station

| name = WHMX

| logo =

| city = Lincoln, Maine

| area = Penobscot County - Downeast Maine

| branding =

| airdate = {{Start date and age|1975|4|1}}

| frequency = {{frequency|105.7|MHz}}

| format = Contemporary Christian

| power =

| erp = {{val|48000|u=watts|fmt=commas}}

| haat = {{convert|142|m|ft|sp=us}}

| class = C2

| facility_id = 49690

| licensing_authority = FCC

| coordinates = {{coord|45|20|38|N|68|30|24|W|region:US-ME_type:landmark}}

| callsign_meaning = Hot Mix (refers to former Hot AC format)

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WLKN-FM (1975–1987)|WGUY (1987–1989)}}

| former_frequencies = 99.3 MHz (1975–1991)

| owner = Lighthouse Radio Network, Inc.

| licensee =

| sister_stations = WHCF

| webcast =

| website = [http://www.solutionfm.com www.solutionfm.com]

| affiliations =

}}

WHMX (105.7 MHz) is a non-commercial FM radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Lincoln, Maine, the station serves Penobscot County and Downeast Maine. The studios are on Outer Broadway in Bangor and the station is owned by Lighthouse Radio Network, Inc.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WHMX |title=WHMX Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }} Lighthouse Radio also owns 88.5 WHCF, a Christian talk and teaching station that plays some Christian music, while WHMX has a more contemporary, youthful Christian music format, including Christian rock. WHMX and WHCF seek donations on the air and on their websites.

WHMX is a Class C2 station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 48,000 watts. The transmitter is in Burlington, Maine, about {{convert|30|miles|km}} northeast of Bangor.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=WHCF&nav=home#google_vignette Radio-Locator.com/WHMX]

History

=WLKN-FM and WGUY-FM=

The station signed on the air on {{Start date and age|April 1, 1975}}. Its original call sign was WLKN-FM, standing for its city of license, Lincoln, Maine. It was the sister station of WLKN 1450 AM (now silent). WLKN-FM's frequency was 99.3 and it was only powered at 1,750 watts, a fraction of its current output.{{cite web |title=WLKN-FM (WHMX) history cards |url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=81882 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=January 28, 2024 |format=PDF}} WLKN-AM-FM simulcast most of their programming. They had a full service, adult contemporary and country music format. They were also affiliates of the ABC Information Network.[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C%20Section%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977%20P-6.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-93. Retrieved June 25, 2024.] Because WLKN-FM was on a Class A frequency, it was limited to only serving Lincoln and surrounding communities.

On September 3, 1987, the station changed its call sign to WGUY-FM, and on June 8, 1989, it became the current WHMX.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=49690&Callsign=WHMX |title=WHMX Call Sign History |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}

=Move to 105.7 MHz=

The station got permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to move to a better frequency. It relocated to 105.7 in 1991.{{cite news |title=Construction Permit Activity |work=The M Street Journal |date=February 4, 1991 |page=3}} That allowed it to become a Class C station, with a taller tower and increased power. With its new strength, it began serving the larger, more lucrative Bangor radio market.

For much of the 1990s, WHMX was known as Hot Mix 106. It was a commercial radio station airing a Hot Adult Contemporary format.

=Christian Radio=

In 1997, the station was bought by the Bangor Baptist Church. It was paired with 88.5 WHCF, which the church also owned. WHMX began airing Contemporary Christian music. In May 2005, the station changed slogans from 105-7 The X to Solution FM.{{cite news |last1=Akins |first1=Debra |title=Bangor's WHMX Becomes 'Solution FM' |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4464506-1.html |access-date=January 28, 2024 |work=Billboard Radio Monitor |via=AllBusiness.com |date=May 4, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313134120/http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4464506-1.html |archive-date=March 13, 2012}}

Over time, the church decided it was best if a professional non-profit organization owned and operated the two full-power radio stations, along with rebroadcasters and translators, around Northern Maine. On September 28, 2012, WHMX and WHCF, along with translators W274AF, W221BO, W227BE, W229AT, and W270BD, were sold. The Lighthouse Radio Network took over control. The deal was consummated at a price of $100.