WQRL
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WQRL
| logo = WQRL station logo.png
| city = Benton, Illinois
| area = Southern Illinois / Marion / Harrisburg
| branding = Q106.3
| frequency = 106.3 MHz
| repeater =
| airdate = October 1, 1973[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1991/B-Radio-AL-MT-1991-B&W.pdf The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991], Broadcasting & Cable, 1991. p. B-96. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
| format = Classic hits
| erp = 12,500 watts
| haat = {{convert|140|meters}}
| class = B1
| facility_id = 15378
| coordinates =
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = WQRX (1973–1982)[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=82734 History Cards for WQRL], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2018.[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=15378&Callsign=WQRL15378 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
| affiliations =
| owner = Dana Communications Corporation
| licensee =
| sister_stations =
| webcast = [https://d.wbcstreaming.com/q106/ Listen Live]
| website = [http://www.wqrlradio.com/ wqrlradio.com]
| licensing_authority = FCC
}}
WQRL (106.3 FM, "Q106.3") is a radio station licensed to Benton, Illinois, covering Southern Illinois, including Marion, Benton, and Harrisburg. WQRL has a classic hits format and is owned by Dana Communications Corporation.[http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WQRL WQRL] fcc.gov. Accessed February 3, 2015
The station is an affiliate of the syndicated Pink Floyd program "Floydian Slip."
History
=WQRX=
The station began broadcasting October 1, 1973, and originally held the call sign WQRX. It had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 300 feet. The station was branded "The Golden Voice of Southern Illinois","[https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-oct-31-1973-p-3/ WQRX]", Mt. Vernon Register-News, October 31, 1973. p. 3-A. Retrieved August 8, 2018. and had a variety format.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-05-03.pdf Illinois Station Shifts to E.L.]", Billboard, May 3, 1975. p. 22. Retrieved August 8, 2018. In 1975, the station began airing easy listening music during the day and progressive rock at night. By 1980, the station had begun airing a top 40 format.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1980/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201980.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1980], Broadcasting, 1980. p. C-64. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
=WQRL=
In 1982, the station's call sign was changed to WQRL, and the station adopted an adult contemporary format."Answer Book", The Southern Illinoisan. September 30, 1984. p. 27.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1984.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-75. Retrieved August 7, 2018. In February 1993, the station's format was changed to country music, airing programming from Unistar's Hot Country network."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1993-02.pdf Format Changes]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 8. February 24, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2018. In 1994, the station's ERP was increased to 12,500 watts, at a HAAT of 459 feet."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1994-01.pdf Construction Permit Activity]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 3. January 19, 1994. p. 3. Retrieved August 8, 2018. In July 1996, the station adopted an oldies format, which lasted for more than 2 decades."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1996-07.pdf Format Changes]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 30. July 24, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2018. When the 2020s rolled along, its oldies format tweaked into a classic hits format.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wqrlradio.com/ WQRL's website]
- {{FM station data|15378|WQRL}}
{{Marion-Carbondale (IL) Radio}}
{{Classic Hits Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{coord|37.931|N|88.681|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
Category:Classic hits radio stations in the United States
Category:Companies based in Franklin County, Illinois