Broadcast area | Southern Illinois / Marion / Harrisburg |
---|---|
Frequency | 106.3 MHz |
Branding | Q106.3 |
Programming | |
Format | Classic hits |
Ownership | |
Owner | Dana Communications Corporation |
History | |
First air date | October 1, 1973 [1] |
Former call signs | WQRX (1973–1982) [2] [3] |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 15378 |
Class | B1 |
ERP | 12,500 watts |
HAAT | 140 meters (460 ft) |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | wqrlradio.com |
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. [4]
The station is an affiliate of the syndicated Pink Floyd program " Floydian Slip."
The station began broadcasting October 1, 1973, and originally held the call sign WQRX. [1] [2] It had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 300 feet. [2] The station was branded "The Golden Voice of Southern Illinois", [5] and had a variety format. [6] In 1975, the station began airing easy listening music during the day and progressive rock at night. [6] By 1980, the station had begun airing a top 40 format. [7]
In 1982, the station's call sign was changed to WQRL, [3] and the station adopted an adult contemporary format. [8] [9] In February 1993, the station's format was changed to country music, airing programming from Unistar's Hot Country network. [10] In 1994, the station's ERP was increased to 12,500 watts, at a HAAT of 459 feet. [11] In July 1996, the station adopted an oldies format, which lasted for more than 2 decades. When the 2020s rolled along, its oldies format tweaked into a classic hits format. [12]