WQPM was an AM/FM simulcast which served the Princeton-Cambridge-Milaca area of east central Minnesota. This was long before the FM split off, moved to 106.1, and began targeting the northwestern Twin Cities suburbs. WQPM-FM was 3,000 watts on 106.3, covering roughly the same area that WQPM-AM 1300 covers today.
On this aircheck, Todd Melby announces the weather. For some reason, I decided to pause the tape during the forecast. This is why it’s edited out with only the current conditions remaining. Interestingly enough, both WQPM-FM and the other local FM station (KABG-105.5-Cambridge) have since upgraded and become Twin Cities rimshots. In their place, KBEK-95.5-Mora has emerged as the replacement “local” radio station in this region.
To receive this, I used a Pioneer SX-3900 receiver, Winegard 10 element FM yagi antenna, Alliance U-100 Tenna Rotor, and Belden RG59 ultra low loss coaxial cable. It was recorded on a Technics stereo cassette deck with a Scotch Dynarange 90 tape.
#1 by Stuck On AM on November 27, 2009 - 10:03 pm
Quote
Nice!
One request… if you have any more airchecks from this little “market” (KABG/KXLV/WLOL Cambridge, WQPM Princeton, WCMP Pine City, WLKX Forest Lake, etc), I’d love to see them get posted.
#2 by Drew on November 28, 2009 - 7:35 am
Quote
Thanks! I went to Brown with Patti Clark, who worked at WLKX during the summer of 1983. I know I have tape of her somewhere. Even though I was in Apple Valley, it was easy to null out KDHL-FM with the Winegard yagi and hear “Lakes FM.” I could also hear Durand, WI on the same channel. Same deal with KABG/KWNG/KRBI on 105.5 and WCMP/WMEQ/KQDE on 92.1.
Drew