WSRQ (AM)

WSRQ, broadcasting on 1220 AM is a radio station with a format that features Oldies from the 60s, 70s, 80s. Licensed to Sarasota, Florida, the station is owned by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc..

WSRQ
CitySarasota, Florida
Broadcast areaSarasota, Bradenton, and Venice, FL
Frequency1220 kHz
BrandingThe New SRQ
SloganClassic 60s, 70s, 80s
Programming
FormatOldies
AffiliationsCBS News, WTSP News, WTSP Storm Tracker Weather, Tampa Bay Rays Baseball, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Ownership
OwnerLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc.
History
First air date
1961 (as WSAF)
Former call signs
WSAF (1961 through mid-1970s, at least)
WQSA (1980s to 2002)
WIBQ (2002-2007)
Call sign meaning
SRQ = IATA code for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Technical information
Facility ID27663
ClassD
Power770 watts day
15 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
27°19′26.40″N 82°29′45.60″W
Translator(s)See § Translators
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitesrqfm.com

It was announced on July 14, 2011, that WSRQ would be acquired by Florida Talk Radio, LLC.[1] Prior to June 29, 2018, the station was branded as The Voice of Sarasota-Manatee and featured a talk show lineup. WSRQ is the official radio station of Tampa Bay Rays baseball.

WSRQ is also carried in northern and central Sarasota County and throughout Manatee County on their 250-watt FM translator W295BH on 106.9 FM in Sarasota and in southern Sarasota County as far south as North Port on their 210-watt FM translator W240DP on 95.9 FM in Venice.

1220 AM is a Mexican clear-channel frequency. XEB is the only Class A station on this frequency; all other stations on this frequency in the United States and Mexico must reduce power or become directional during the nighttime in order to prevent interference to the skywave signal of XEB.

WSRQ has been granted an FCC construction permit to move to a different transmitter site and decrease day power to 770 watts and night power to 15 watts.[2]

The station, along with its translators, was sold by Florida Talk Radio to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc. effective December 10, 2018 for $520,000.

Format change

WSRQ Radio was the Sarasota-Manatee area's only talk radio station on both the AM and FM dials for many years, but abandoned that format as of 5 p.m. Friday (June 29, 2018) owner Jim Lampl said Wednesday.

The change was intended "as a respite from the daily onslaught of negative media," Lampl said in a news release, and also is necessary because talk radio has "become an unsustainable business model."

"The change was motivated by a desire to shut off the megaphone that talk radio provides to strident voices," Lampl said. "For too long, some of the most popular national programs have also been the most divisive."

The new brand of the station, heard at 106.9 FM and 1220 AM, was HitlandSRQ. Its broadcast consisted of the music of the 1960s and '70s and "will be packed with the songs that Baby Boomers grew up with," Lampl said.

Weekday mornings still begin with the popular Suncoast Morning show, hosted by Dave and & Kaylene and continuing to offer local news and intelligent banter, Lampl said.

Translators
Broadcast translators of WSRQ (Main Programming)
Call signFrequency
(MHz)		City of licenseFacility
ID		ERP
(W)		Height
(m (ft))		ClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC info
W240DP95.9Venice, Florida201660210102 m (335 ft)D27°9′3″N 82°27′51″WFCC
W295BH106.9Sarasota, Florida140532250137 m (449 ft)D27°28′31″N 82°32′11″WFCC

References
  1. BUSINESS BUZZ: WSRQ Radio gets new owners
  2. "FCC Construction Permit". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.

3. WSRQ Radio changing formats - https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180627/wsrq-radio-changing-formats-friday


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