WQPM
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WQPM
| above = Simulcasting KLCI Elk River
| logo =
| city = Princeton, Minnesota
| area = St. Cloud, Minnesota
| branding = Bob Total Country
| frequency = 1300 kHz
| translator = 107.5 W298CE (Big Lake)
| repeater =
| airdate = June 28, 1967{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/7a286bdb-185c-1ec6-bfb0-40c30559b604.pdf|work=United States Federal Communications Commission audio division|title=History cards for WQPM}}
| format = Classic country
| power = 1,000 watts day
83 watts night
| class = D
| facility_id = 59618
| coordinates = {{coord|45|32|58|N|93|34|52|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = W Q Princeton Minnesota (previous format and city of license)
| former_callsigns =
| 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 = [https://v7player.wostreaming.net/2956 Listen Live]
| website = [http://www.mybobcountry.com mybobcountry.com]
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WQPM (1300 AM) is a radio station airing a classic country format.{{cite web |url=http://www.arbitron.com |date=Winter 2010 |title=Station Information Profile |publisher=Arbitron |accessdate=2010-02-18}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WQPM |title=WQPM Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division |accessdate=2010-02-18}}
Radio station KPCS 89.7 licensed to Princeton, shares its tower with WQPM.{{cite web|url=http://www.ubstudios.com/rtli/princetonrtli.html|title=Princeton, MN's Sole Radio Tower|work=www.ubstudios.com|accessdate=April 22, 2024}}
History
WQPM signed on June 28, 1967. It was initially licensed for 500 watts, but upgraded to 1,000 watts in 1968.{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/7a286bdb-185c-1ec6-bfb0-40c30559b604.pdf|work=Federal Communications Commission audio division|title=History cards for WQPM}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://radio.drewdurigan.com/airchecks/wqpm-fm-106-3-princeton-mn-todd-melby-nov-1982|author=Drew Durigan|title=WQPM-FM 106.3 Princeton MN Todd Melby 1982}} The format at the time was much the same as it is today.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCQqAQAAIAAJ&q=wqpm+1300+princeton|publisher=Broadcasting Publications|page=153|date=1988|title=Broadcasting Cablecasting Yearbook}}
On September 13, 2018, WQPM changed formats from The Big Q (oldies) to classic hits, branded as "Killer Bee Radio".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/170517/big-q-evolves-to-killer-bee-in-minneapolis-suburbs/ Big Q Evolves to Killer Bee in Minneapolis Suburbs] Radioinsight - September 13, 2018
On December 21, 2019, the station began stunting.[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]
On January 1, 2020, the station returned to The Big Q, playing oldies music once again. It was at the time a simulcast of WLKX-FM in Forest Lake.{{cite web|url=https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/news/business/big-q-brings-fun-lovin-radio-to-north-metro-and-beyond/article_2f27ada3-1f2c-549d-b547-3cb10c18f503.html|work=Forest Lake Times|title=Big Q brings fun lovin radio to the north metro and beyond|author=Jason DeMoe|date=April 8, 2016}}
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".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/219885/bob-expands-to-five-minnesota-stations/ Bob Expands To Five Minnesota Stations] Radioinsight - February 14, 2022 Big Q Radio, however, continues streaming oldies on the internet: [https://v7player.wostreaming.net/7027 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.{{cite web|url=https://northpine.com/2022/02/13/bob-fm-adds-several-more-north-twin-cities-metro-signals|work=NorthPine.com|author=Jon Ellis|date=February 13, 2022|title=Bob FM Adds Several More North Twin Cities Metro Signals}}
The station is an affiliate of the Minnesota Lynx basketball team, and games are broadcast on KLCI, as well as its sister stations.{{cite web|url=https://lynx.wnba.com/minnesota-lynx-radio-affiliate|work=Minnesota Lynx|publisher=Women's National Basketball Association|title=Minnesota Lynx Radio Affiliates}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{AM station data|59618|WQPM}}
- {{FCC-LMS-Facility|141749|W298CE}}
- {{FXL|W298CE}}
{{St. Cloud Radio}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Minnesota}}
Category:Radio stations in Minnesota
Category:Radio stations established in 1967
Category:Classic country radio stations in the United States
{{Minnesota-radio-station-stub}}