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==History==
==History==
WQPO went on the air in 1946 as WSVA-FM, it was the third FM on in the state. It was automated with a variety of music formats as from the start. The last before changing call letters was "Country Sunshine". Call letters changed in 1972 to WQPO, Stereo 101 - using Drake Chenault's Solid Gold format (4 reels and a bunch of cart decks) - a solid sound, but FM had not taken off yet. Around 1982, then-owner Gilmore Broadcasting decided to try to make money with it, taking out the automated format and hired a full staff and hosted an Adult Contemporary format. They changed the name to Q-101 and built out the facility to its fully licensed 50KW signal. Prior to that they ran at 7200w from one of the AM towers of sister WSVA. A new 500-ft tower was built in the field next to the studios on [[Rt 33 West|U.S. Route 33]]. Station took off in the ratings, quickly outpacing the dominant WSVA-AM during the '80s. Gilmore sold the AM-FM combo in 1987 to VerStandig.
WQPO went on the air in 1946 as WSVA-FM, it was the third FM on in the state. It was automated with a variety of music formats as from the start. The last before changing call letters was "Country Sunshine". Call letters changed in 1972 to WQPO, Stereo 101 - using Drake Chenault's Solid Gold format (4 reels and a bunch of cart decks) - a solid sound, but FM had not taken off yet. Around 1982, then-owner Gilmore Broadcasting decided to try to make money with it, taking out the automated format and hired a full staff and hosted an Adult Contemporary format. They changed the name to Q-101 and built out the facility to its fully licensed 50KW signal. Prior to that they ran at 7200w from one of the AM towers of sister WSVA. A new 500-ft tower was built in the field next to the studios on [[U.S. Route 33|Rt. 33 West]]. Station took off in the ratings, quickly outpacing the dominant WSVA-AM during the '80s. Gilmore sold the AM-FM combo in 1987 to VerStandig.


==Format Change==
==Format Change==

Revision as of 21:07, 2 December 2007

WQPO-FM
File:WQPO-FM.gif
Broadcast areaCentral Shenandoah Valley
Frequency100.7 MHz
Branding"Q101"
Programming
FormatContemporary Hit Radio
Ownership
OwnerVerStandig Broadcasting
WBHB, WHBG, WJDV, WSVA
History
First air date
February 6, 1986
Former call signs
WSVA-FM (1946-1972)
WQPO (1972-Present)
Technical information
ClassB
Power50,000 Watts
Links
Websiteq101.valleyradio.com

WQPO is a radio station in Harrisonburg, Virginia broadcasting at FM 100.7 MHz) playing a diverse range of top 40 music, including rock and hip-hop. It is owned and operated by VerStandig Broadcasting, which owns 5 radio stations in the Harrisonburg, Virginia area. Q101's studio and transmitter is located just west of Harrisonburg. Although its studios are in Harrisonburg, during station identification, the announcer says "WQPO, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Staunton. Q101."

Due to elevation, Q101 can only be heard in parts of Pendleton, Hardy and Grant counties of West Virginia.

History

WQPO went on the air in 1946 as WSVA-FM, it was the third FM on in the state. It was automated with a variety of music formats as from the start. The last before changing call letters was "Country Sunshine". Call letters changed in 1972 to WQPO, Stereo 101 - using Drake Chenault's Solid Gold format (4 reels and a bunch of cart decks) - a solid sound, but FM had not taken off yet. Around 1982, then-owner Gilmore Broadcasting decided to try to make money with it, taking out the automated format and hired a full staff and hosted an Adult Contemporary format. They changed the name to Q-101 and built out the facility to its fully licensed 50KW signal. Prior to that they ran at 7200w from one of the AM towers of sister WSVA. A new 500-ft tower was built in the field next to the studios on Rt. 33 West. Station took off in the ratings, quickly outpacing the dominant WSVA-AM during the '80s. Gilmore sold the AM-FM combo in 1987 to VerStandig.

Format Change

In 1998, Q101 switched from a hot adult contemporary format to a mainstream top 40 (CHR) format.