WQRM
Encyclopedia
WXMT is a commercially licensed FM radio station
licensed to Smethport, Pennsylvania
, the seat of McKean County. The station broadcasts at 106.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,030 watt
s. WXMT is owned by Colonial Radio Group and is running a classic hits
format known as "The Mountain."
Prior to 2008, the station was known as WQRM.
Back in the summer of 1953, the Smethport Centennial Celebration was the first "special event" covered by WFRM
, the new radio station in Coudersport just constructed by the Farm & Home Broadcasting Company, also the parent company of what would later become known as WQRM in 1990. Broadcast lines were installed and temporary broadcast facilities were put in place in Smethport to cover many of the Centennial activities. Pete and Bill, the stars of the Morning Show, were photographed in the derby hats that everyone in Smethport was wearing as part of the celebration. That photo is still on the wall at WFRM's present location at 9 South Main Street in downtown Coudersport.
Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception from folks in Smethport, WFRM decided to put a local office and studio in Smethport. It was located on the second floor of the Auto Parts store on West Main Street. Bob and Lois Johnson became the nucleus of the staff in Smethport and an effort was made to expand the service to this part of the WFRM Coverage area. Russ Wells was the announcer, and Bob Morrison was the engineer. An hour each day was broadcast over the radio from this studio. These daily broadcasts continued for about three years. Meanwhile, the Johnsons had relocated to Kane
, and joined the staff that was building the new radio station there, WKZA
AM 960, which went on the air in 1954, but has been silent since 1993.
(FCC) for an AM station to operate on 910 kHz at 1,000 watts to be located in Smethport. This station was never built, and the construction permit was allowed to expire.
, Port Allegany, a separately owned radio station which was also being built at the time.
WQRM signed on the air for the very first time in January 1990. However, it would not be until almost three years later that WQRM would have its own studios and offices in downtown Smethport. Operations for WQRM at first came out of its sister FM station in neighboring Tioga County, WNBT
and WNBT-FM
, Wellsboro.
A site in downtown Smethport was chosen for the permanent studio and office. It was in the basement of the building at Fulton and Main Streets. However, the disastrous fire that destroyed that building forced the relocation of WQRM to a new office at 211 West Main Street. The station was heard at 106.3 throughout the area, but in Bradford, a special "translator" was authorized to rebroadcast on 99.3, since the 106.3 signal is weakened by the tall mountains surrounding the city.
Over the years, local resident Rosalie Bishop was the local manager and was active in arranging the programming, news coverage and special events, as well as contact with businesses using radio advertising. She hired and trained different persons to do broadcasting, news gathering and sales. In addition to the regular music programming, there were many special events and programs.
Broadcasts from local and area churches were eagerly awaited by listeners, as well as local news and events from the Fairgrounds. Smethport Hubbers football and basketball games have always been popular with WQRM’s listeners, and in addition, some of the Otto-Eldred games were carried on the station. Sportscasters included Bill Lord, Jeff Switzer, Scott McGuire and Ron Deibler.
Sadly, none of the broadcasters who came to Smethport fifty years ago to do radio coverage are alive to return. But, the WQRM staff members did much of the same type of broadcasts as in 1953 – describing the parades and other events, and interviewing local people and visitors. And, the "new crew" will be just as excited as the earlier generation of broadcasters.
, owner of WLMI
, a country station based in Kane
. It had been speculated in media publications that a format change is forthcoming; indeed, the former 99.3 translator in Bradford has been switched from WQRM to the new WLMI Radio Network, but WLMI has opted for a separate frequency in Smethport (95.3) to relay WLMI. A new format debuted in January 2009 as The Mountain / 106.3 WXMT hit the airwaves. The Mountain is "Twin Tiers' Rock Without the Hard Edge" and features Classic Hits from the 70s and 80s. The 95.3 station
now has its own talk radio format, with the WLMI simulcast now heard on W232BV (94.3), originating from nearby Port Allegany.
Much like WLMI, WXMT is broadcasting in HD Radio
as of January 2009.
the station currently plays nothing but Rolling Stones and Elton John Songs.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Smethport, Pennsylvania
Smethport, Pennsylvania
Smethport is a borough in McKean County, Pennsylvania, United States. The current mayor is Ross Porter. The population was 1,684 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McKean County.-History:The U.S...
, the seat of McKean County. The station broadcasts at 106.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,030 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s. WXMT is owned by Colonial Radio Group and is running a classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
format known as "The Mountain."
Prior to 2008, the station was known as WQRM.
Beginnings in 1953
Though WQRM would not sign on the air until 1990, the foundation for local radio in Smethport was actually laid in the early 1950s.Back in the summer of 1953, the Smethport Centennial Celebration was the first "special event" covered by WFRM
WFRM (AM)
WFRM is a commercially licensed AM radio station, licensed to Coudersport, Pennsylvania, the seat of Potter County. WFRM broadcasts at the federally assigned frequency of 600 kHz at a maximum power output of 1,000 watts day, 46 watts night...
, the new radio station in Coudersport just constructed by the Farm & Home Broadcasting Company, also the parent company of what would later become known as WQRM in 1990. Broadcast lines were installed and temporary broadcast facilities were put in place in Smethport to cover many of the Centennial activities. Pete and Bill, the stars of the Morning Show, were photographed in the derby hats that everyone in Smethport was wearing as part of the celebration. That photo is still on the wall at WFRM's present location at 9 South Main Street in downtown Coudersport.
Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception from folks in Smethport, WFRM decided to put a local office and studio in Smethport. It was located on the second floor of the Auto Parts store on West Main Street. Bob and Lois Johnson became the nucleus of the staff in Smethport and an effort was made to expand the service to this part of the WFRM Coverage area. Russ Wells was the announcer, and Bob Morrison was the engineer. An hour each day was broadcast over the radio from this studio. These daily broadcasts continued for about three years. Meanwhile, the Johnsons had relocated to Kane
Kane, Pennsylvania
Kane is a borough in McKean County, Pennsylvania, east by south of Erie. It was founded in 1863 by Civil War general Thomas L. Kane at an elevated site 2210 feet above sea level. In the early part of the twentieth century, Kane had large glassworks, bottle works, lumber mills, and manufactures of...
, and joined the staff that was building the new radio station there, WKZA
WQLE
WQLE was the last official call sign of a now defunct radio station in Kane, Pennsylvania.-McKean County's First Full-Time Radio Station:...
AM 960, which went on the air in 1954, but has been silent since 1993.
Smethport tries for AM license
A few years later, Hamlin Redfield of Smethport applied to the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) for an AM station to operate on 910 kHz at 1,000 watts to be located in Smethport. This station was never built, and the construction permit was allowed to expire.
Thirty years later - WQRM signs on
In 1989, the FCC opened up a channel for an FM station to be licensed to Smethport. Farm & Home applied for and was granted a permit to build. The longtime cable tower atop Prospect Mountain was selected as the place for the antenna for the station that would be known as WQRM. This same tower would also be used by WHKSWHKS
WHKS is an FM radio station licensed to Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. The station, branded as K94, broadcasts on 94.9 MHz with a satellite soft adult contemporary format.-External links:*...
, Port Allegany, a separately owned radio station which was also being built at the time.
WQRM signed on the air for the very first time in January 1990. However, it would not be until almost three years later that WQRM would have its own studios and offices in downtown Smethport. Operations for WQRM at first came out of its sister FM station in neighboring Tioga County, WNBT
WNBT (AM)
WNBT is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Standards/MOR music format. Licensed to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area. The station is currently owned by Farm & Home Broadcasting Company and features programing from Citadel Media....
and WNBT-FM
WNBT-FM
WNBT-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Pop Contemporary Hit Radio music format. Licensed to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area. The station is currently owned by Farm & Home Broadcasting Company and features programing from Citadel Media....
, Wellsboro.
A site in downtown Smethport was chosen for the permanent studio and office. It was in the basement of the building at Fulton and Main Streets. However, the disastrous fire that destroyed that building forced the relocation of WQRM to a new office at 211 West Main Street. The station was heard at 106.3 throughout the area, but in Bradford, a special "translator" was authorized to rebroadcast on 99.3, since the 106.3 signal is weakened by the tall mountains surrounding the city.
Over the years, local resident Rosalie Bishop was the local manager and was active in arranging the programming, news coverage and special events, as well as contact with businesses using radio advertising. She hired and trained different persons to do broadcasting, news gathering and sales. In addition to the regular music programming, there were many special events and programs.
Broadcasts from local and area churches were eagerly awaited by listeners, as well as local news and events from the Fairgrounds. Smethport Hubbers football and basketball games have always been popular with WQRM’s listeners, and in addition, some of the Otto-Eldred games were carried on the station. Sportscasters included Bill Lord, Jeff Switzer, Scott McGuire and Ron Deibler.
Sadly, none of the broadcasters who came to Smethport fifty years ago to do radio coverage are alive to return. But, the WQRM staff members did much of the same type of broadcasts as in 1953 – describing the parades and other events, and interviewing local people and visitors. And, the "new crew" will be just as excited as the earlier generation of broadcasters.
Smethport radio today
Smethport is fortunate to have service from two FM frequencies. 95.3FM features Contemporary Country from the WLMI Radio Network; while The Mountain/106.3 WXMT is now on-the-air featuring Classic Hits from the 1970s and 1980s.Sale and subsequent actions
In August 2008, WQRM's owner, Farm & Home Broadcasting (and its controlling interest, the Allegheny Mountain Radio Network) sold the station to Colonial Radio GroupColonial Radio Group
Colonial Radio Group, Inc. is the owner of several radio stations in the United States. It is controlled by the Androlunis family and currently is based in Olean, New York, with all of its current stations based in the western Twin Tiers region of New York and Pennsylvania.-New York:* Portville -...
, owner of WLMI
WLMI
WVTT is an FM radio station licensed to Portville, New York. The station, broadcasting at 96.7 MHz, is owned by Colonial Radio Group and broadcasts a talk radio format.Prior to October 2011, WVTT was licensed to Kane, Pennsylvania at 103.9 MHz...
, a country station based in Kane
Kane, Pennsylvania
Kane is a borough in McKean County, Pennsylvania, east by south of Erie. It was founded in 1863 by Civil War general Thomas L. Kane at an elevated site 2210 feet above sea level. In the early part of the twentieth century, Kane had large glassworks, bottle works, lumber mills, and manufactures of...
. It had been speculated in media publications that a format change is forthcoming; indeed, the former 99.3 translator in Bradford has been switched from WQRM to the new WLMI Radio Network, but WLMI has opted for a separate frequency in Smethport (95.3) to relay WLMI. A new format debuted in January 2009 as The Mountain / 106.3 WXMT hit the airwaves. The Mountain is "Twin Tiers' Rock Without the Hard Edge" and features Classic Hits from the 70s and 80s. The 95.3 station
W237CS
The HD Radio digital subchannel of radio station WXMT is currently used as an experimental station airing spoken-word programming. The station, based in Smethport, Pennsylvania, is owned by Jeff Androlunis's Colonial Radio Group, making it a sister station to WXMT, WBYB and WVTT...
now has its own talk radio format, with the WLMI simulcast now heard on W232BV (94.3), originating from nearby Port Allegany.
Much like WLMI, WXMT is broadcasting in HD Radio
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
as of January 2009.
the station currently plays nothing but Rolling Stones and Elton John Songs.