KQBR
Encyclopedia
KQBR is a radio station
broadcasting a country music
format. Licensed to Lubbock, Texas
, USA and broadcasting on FM
frequency 99.5 MHz, The station is currently under ownership of Townsquare Media.
99.5 (channel 258) was assigned to Lubbock. It was used in the late 40's and early 50's as KFYO-FM.
The channel was reactivated in 1964 as KWGN-FM in Abernathy, Texas. Power was 57,000 watts at 150 feet from a tower a few miles north of Abernathy (25 miles north of Lubbock). The station was put on by a partnership of Stephens brothers headed by Clyde Robert "Bob" Stephens. Bob Stephens had worked at KSEL radio, would work at KSEL-TV and KCBD-TV as TV weatherman.
In 1966 KWGN-FM was aproached by Tribune Broadcasting (WGN Chicago et al) about changing call letters. Tribune was in the process of acquiring channel 2 KCTO-TV in Denver, CO. They wanted to change to KWGN-TV. KWGN-FM changed to KWGO-FM in exchange for 28,000 dollars.
In 1970 the station moved it's transmitter to 98th and University in Lubbock. Power changed to 44,000 watts and height changed to 740 feet above average terrain. City of license changed to Lubbock, Texas. Studios moved to 17th and K in downtown Lubbock. In 1974 the tower at 98th and University was sold to Ray Moran who was putting 101.1 KTEZ on the air. KTEZ paid to move KWGO to a lower perch on the tower, using less feed line, allowing an increase to 46,000 watts at 630 feet. Studios moved to the Red Raider Inn on a traffic circle (roundabout) where avenue A, H, and Q came together between 66th street and 50th street.
Various partners came and went in the next decade. In 1975 Stephens sold 49% of the station to "Mexican American Services,Inc" for 60,000 dollars. A couple of years later (1977) Stephens sold the other 51% for another 60,000 dollars. KWGO was sold to KRLB, Inc (owner of AM 580 KRLB) in 1980 for 380,000 dollars. In 1982 KRLB Inc. was sold to Ken Dowe of KLIF 1190 Dallas Fame. Dowe owned several stations through out Texas. He continued co-ownership of KRLB AM/FM (KRLB AM LATER KJBX AM) until the mid 90's when it was sold to South Plains Broadcasting.
In 1985 the station moved to a shared tower spearheaded by KFMX, KFYO, and KLLL.
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...
broadcasting a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format. Licensed to Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, USA and broadcasting on FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
frequency 99.5 MHz, The station is currently under ownership of Townsquare Media.
99.5 (channel 258) was assigned to Lubbock. It was used in the late 40's and early 50's as KFYO-FM.
The channel was reactivated in 1964 as KWGN-FM in Abernathy, Texas. Power was 57,000 watts at 150 feet from a tower a few miles north of Abernathy (25 miles north of Lubbock). The station was put on by a partnership of Stephens brothers headed by Clyde Robert "Bob" Stephens. Bob Stephens had worked at KSEL radio, would work at KSEL-TV and KCBD-TV as TV weatherman.
In 1966 KWGN-FM was aproached by Tribune Broadcasting (WGN Chicago et al) about changing call letters. Tribune was in the process of acquiring channel 2 KCTO-TV in Denver, CO. They wanted to change to KWGN-TV. KWGN-FM changed to KWGO-FM in exchange for 28,000 dollars.
In 1970 the station moved it's transmitter to 98th and University in Lubbock. Power changed to 44,000 watts and height changed to 740 feet above average terrain. City of license changed to Lubbock, Texas. Studios moved to 17th and K in downtown Lubbock. In 1974 the tower at 98th and University was sold to Ray Moran who was putting 101.1 KTEZ on the air. KTEZ paid to move KWGO to a lower perch on the tower, using less feed line, allowing an increase to 46,000 watts at 630 feet. Studios moved to the Red Raider Inn on a traffic circle (roundabout) where avenue A, H, and Q came together between 66th street and 50th street.
Various partners came and went in the next decade. In 1975 Stephens sold 49% of the station to "Mexican American Services,Inc" for 60,000 dollars. A couple of years later (1977) Stephens sold the other 51% for another 60,000 dollars. KWGO was sold to KRLB, Inc (owner of AM 580 KRLB) in 1980 for 380,000 dollars. In 1982 KRLB Inc. was sold to Ken Dowe of KLIF 1190 Dallas Fame. Dowe owned several stations through out Texas. He continued co-ownership of KRLB AM/FM (KRLB AM LATER KJBX AM) until the mid 90's when it was sold to South Plains Broadcasting.
In 1985 the station moved to a shared tower spearheaded by KFMX, KFYO, and KLLL.