| |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.9 MHz |
| Branding | The River 98.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Salter Communications, Inc. |
| WLEM | |
| History | |
First air date | 1985 (at 92.7) |
Former frequencies | 92.7 MHz (1983–1996) |
| Technical information [1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 53582 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 2,000 watts |
| HAAT | 167 meters (548 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°29′32.2″N78°15′18.0″W / 41.492278°N 78.255000°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
WQKY (98.9 FM, "The River 98.9") is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Emporium, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Salter Communications, Inc. and broadcasts a classic hits format. The station's transmitter facilities are located off Whittimore Road on the outskirts of Emporium.
The Federal Communications Commission granted Emporium Broadcasting Company a construction permit for the station on April 27, 1983 with the WQKY call sign. Originally assigned to 92.7 MHz, [2] the FCC granted the station its first license on August 6, 1985. [3]
For much of its early years, WQKY simulcast full-time the full-service country music format of its AM sister, WLEM, despite having dissimilar call letters. The arrangement allowed listeners to enjoy full-service radio after sunset, when WLEM was mandated to sign off prior to getting nighttime broadcasting authorization by the end of the 1980's.
The FCC granted a transfer of the station's license from Emporium Broadcasting to Priority Communications, Inc. on December 20, 1993. [4] On July 13, 1994, the FCC granted the station a construction permit to change the station's frequency to 98.9 MHz (Channel 255A) [5] followed by a new license granted on September 11, 1996. [6] Upon the change in ownership, programming was separated between WLEM and WQKY, with the latter adopting an oldies format.
The FCC granted a transfer of the station's license to Salter Communications, Inc. on November 9, 2006. The sale consummated on November 22, 2006. [7] WQKY then changed its format from oldies to adult contemporary.
The station has since adopted a classic hits format and the moniker "The River 98-9", and maintains a secondary office in Franklin Center on South St. Mary's Street in St. Mary's.