WEQX

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WEQX
WEQX station in Manchester (2025)
Broadcast areaPrimary: Southern and central Vermont, Adirondack Region
Secondary: Western New Hampshire, The Berkshires, Capital District
Frequency 102.7 MHz
Branding102.7 FM EQX
Programming
Format Alternative rock
Ownership
OwnerNorthshire Communications
History
First air date
November 14, 1984 at 10:27 (according to Times-Union article)
Call sign meaning
 Mount Equinox
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 49706
Class B
ERP 1,250 watts
HAAT 760 meters (2,490 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 43°09′58″N73°06′58″W / 43.166°N 73.116°W / 43.166; -73.116
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.weqx.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

WEQX is an independent FM radio station broadcasting from Manchester, Vermont, its city of license. The station broadcasts on 102.7 MHz with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,250 watts. With the station's transmitter tower located on nearby Equinox Mountain at an elevation of 2490 feet (760 m), WEQX reaches the equivalent of 50,000 watts ERP. [2] Because of its signal strength, the station is able to reach the distant Albany-Schenectady-Troy New York area, [3] Saratoga Springs, Lake George, and Glens Falls along with Manchester, Bennington, and central Vermont, western Massachusetts, and western New Hampshire. WEQX plays an alternative rock-centered eclectic format more varied than large commercially owned and operated stations.

Contents

Despite being located in Vermont, WEQX was voted the best radio station for the Capital Region (Albany, New York) by the Metroland alternative newsweekly for 15 years running up to 2006, and voted best radio station of 2002 and 2006 by the Albany Times Union. It has also won Best Radio Station of the Year awards from Rolling Stone magazine in 1993, 1995 and 1996. In addition, the Album Network (a radio industry magazine) voted the station the Best Alternative Radio Station in the Country (small market), in 1995.

History

WEQX was founded in November 1984 by Brooks Brown as an independent radio station, when he moved to Manchester and could not find a station to meet his advertising needs. Brown built the studio himself, and was involved in building the antenna. The station originally broadcast an adult contemporary format for its first ten months of operation until flipping to alternative rock or modern rock in September 1985. The station is located in a Victorian house at 161 Elm Street in Manchester. Some of the DJs on WEQX in their early days as a rock station included Ellen McKinnon formerly of WQBK-FM in Albany, NY as well as former WPYX Albany DJs Ernie James and John Clark.

WEQX, or "EQX", as it is commonly referred to by its listeners, is a large sponsor of live music and has presented various concerts in the Capital Region (Albany, New York).

In the summer of 2007, EQX held the first EQX Fest at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The concert started at 3 PM and ran until around midnight. It had three different stages; one for local bands, one for mainstream bands, and one for the headliners. The headliners included The Nightwatchman, Matisyahu, and 311 (in that order).

On September 28, 2013, EQX held its fourth annual Pearl Palooza in Albany, New York. It was an all day free music festival that featured Portugal. The Man, Said The Whale, Cayucas among others. [4]

On November 14, 2014, WEQX celebrated its 30th anniversary as an independently owned-and-operated Alternative station, one year right after WEQX's founder and owner A. Brooks Brown died in August 2013. [5] [6]

On December 29, 2015 the WEQX transmitter tower collapsed due to ice and wind. Broadcasting continued on their online feed, and reduced coverage was re-established with the use of a temporary tower a few days later. [7]

In 2024, WEQX celebrated forty years on the air. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WEQX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "EQX Mini Documentary".
  3. ↑ "WEQX's coverage area".
  4. ↑ "Home - 102.7 WEQX-FM - The Real Alternative". 102.7 WEQX-FM - The Real Alternative.
  5. ↑ Barnes, Steve (August 31, 2013). "Rock station founder a 'bright light' in his field". Albany (N.Y.) Times Union . Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ "A. Brooks Brown". Glens Falls, N.Y.: Post-Star. September 3, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ "WEQX works to get back on the air after storm knocks out signal". WNYT. December 31, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  8. ↑ "WEQX-FM Turns Forty!". Vermont Association of Broadcasters.
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