WQLE
Encyclopedia
WQLE was the last official call sign
of a now defunct radio station
in Kane, Pennsylvania
.
in Coudersport, provided southern and central McKean County with local news service to its station from studios in Smethport, the county's seat, following a very positive response after doing a remote broadcast in town. However, local broadcasts that were exclusive to McKean County were only about an hour a day and generally confined to mornings, and it soon became obvious that this part of McKean County not only needed its own radio station, but was able to support one. Service from WESB in Bradford, which first went on the air in 1947, was barely able to be heard in the area due to the rugged mountain terrain literally splitting the county in two, as well as its Class C local frequency that provided a very limited signal. WHDL
in Olean, New York
also had some coverage in the northeastern portion of the county. WFRM, while having the better signal that blanketed McKean County, could only offer so much service to a county not its own. Two WFRM employees, Bob and Lois Johnson, who were part of the new WFRM studio operations in Smethport, left the station a short time later to assist in the startup of WADP.
In the 1970s, WADP was purchased by Bilbat Radio, a Hornell, New York
based ownership cluster that currently owns radio station WHHO
and operates WKPQ
. Under its new call sign WKZA and its corporate name of Raise Kane Radio Inc., it became one of the most listened to stations in McKean County
, and faced very little competition outside Bradford
-based WESB. Like many stations of its heyday, WKZA broadcast a full service
format of local news, sports, with world and national news from the Mutual Broadcasting System
and adult contemporary music.
In 1984, WKZA faced its first direct competition from a brand new station, WRXZ-FM, but WKZA, still a daytime-only station, was easily winning the battle as WRXZ, rechristened as WIFI the year after its debut, lost money and went off the air.
, and with that received a massive cash infusion to challenge WKZA, which by this time, had been granted authorization by the FCC to operate at a power of 48 watts at night and 24-hour broadcasting rights (but chose to shut down daily at midnight). The new ownership, headed by wealthy industrialist and Pittsburgh Pirates
minority owner Dennis Heindl, resulted in an almost immediate success for WLMI.
WKZA staffers began to defect to WLMI, and the downhill spiral began. Though WLMI relied on satellite-delivered programming for music and DJ's, it also aired heavy amounts of local news, weather and sports in volumes that were more characteristic of an AM station than an FM station. This programming formula quickly became popular with the community at large and now listeners of WKZA were tuning out in droves. With the station's future at stake, Bilbat Radio put the station up for sale that year. WLMI showed little interest in acquiring its AM counterpart, and WKZA was sold to another owner a year later.
, upon which the station's studio, office, and transmitter facilities remained in the name of Raise Kane Radio, according to McKean County court documents. The lack of revenue was quickly catching up with WKZA, as it started showing obvious signs of its inevitable destiny as the facility started to fall into disrepair and revenues necessary for repair and maintenance were gone.
Pierre switched to a short-lived oldies format to try and lure its older listeners back and changed the call letters to what would be the station's final call sign, WQLE, in a last-ditch attempt to save the station. However, the newly-christened WQLE, presumably unable to continue paying ASCAP/BMI fees necessary to broadcast music, switched from oldies to an all-talk populism
-based format by Chuck Harder
's "For the People" nonprofit network that shared its revenues with its affiliate stations, many of which were financially distressed like WQLE. Pierre and operations manager Robert Wall were the station's only two employees, trying to keep costs as low as possible until positive revenue was generated. The "For the People" partnership and the efforts of Pierre and Wall to sell local commercials were unable to generate revenue substantial enough to keep WQLE on the air.
Despite their best efforts, the venture was ultimately unsuccessful. On December 21, 1992, WQLE 960 suddenly went silent
without explanation. It never formally forfeited its license.
, the license was formally canceled and deleted from the FCC database.
The property upon which WQLE's studio, office and transmitter facilities were located, was sold in 1994 to local businessmen Nick Petruney and Larry Groesch, who had the intent of building a self-storage rental facility on the lot, which later came to fruition. The tower, badly rusted, dark, and beyond all repair, was dismantled by 1997. The studio, office and transmitter building, had heavy interior water damage from a badly-leaking roof that was never repaired and collapsed in some offices, including the station's commercial production studio. As a result, much of the station's broadcasting and office equipment was destroyed, including the original Gates transmitter used since its 1948 inception, leaving virtually everything inside unsalvageable. This building was subsequently razed.
The WKZA
calls currently reside on a radio station in Lakewood, New York
, broadcasting on 106.9 MHz as a KISS FM
station.
Incidentally, Bilbat's last radio holding, and only other AM station, WHHO
, was forced to give up its license as well in January 2010. The company was forced to sell off WKPQ
to another ownership group in 2009 due to financial problems and the death of one of the company partners.
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
of a now defunct radio station
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...
in Kane, Pennsylvania
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...
.
McKean County's First Full-Time Radio Station
WQLE signed on as WADP in 1954. For many years, it operated as a daytime-only service, with a maximum power output of 1,000 watts. One year prior to WADP's inception, WFRMWFRM (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...
in Coudersport, provided southern and central McKean County with local news service to its station from studios in Smethport, the county's seat, following a very positive response after doing a remote broadcast in town. However, local broadcasts that were exclusive to McKean County were only about an hour a day and generally confined to mornings, and it soon became obvious that this part of McKean County not only needed its own radio station, but was able to support one. Service from WESB in Bradford, which first went on the air in 1947, was barely able to be heard in the area due to the rugged mountain terrain literally splitting the county in two, as well as its Class C local frequency that provided a very limited signal. WHDL
WHDL
WHDL is an AM radio station licensed to Olean, New York. The mostly satellite and automated oldies outlet is co-owned, along with sister station WPIG, by Backyard Broadcasting, and operates on 1450 kHz. It is the oldest station in Cattaraugus County, signing on on December 11, 1934...
in Olean, New York
Olean, New York
Olean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County, and serves as the financial, business, transportation and entertainment center of the county. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.The city is...
also had some coverage in the northeastern portion of the county. WFRM, while having the better signal that blanketed McKean County, could only offer so much service to a county not its own. Two WFRM employees, Bob and Lois Johnson, who were part of the new WFRM studio operations in Smethport, left the station a short time later to assist in the startup of WADP.
In the 1970s, WADP was purchased by Bilbat Radio, a Hornell, New York
Hornell, New York
Hornell is a city in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 9,019 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Hornell family, early settlers. Its current population has not yet been released by the new census....
based ownership cluster that currently owns radio station WHHO
WHHO
WHHO was a radio station broadcasting a sports talk format. Licensed to Hornell, New York, USA, the station served the Elmira-Corning area. The station was owned by Bilbat Radio, Inc. and featured programing from Fox Sports Radio and Citadel Media...
and operates WKPQ
WKPQ
WKPQ is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Hornell, New York, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area including the Canisteo valley and northern Pennsylvania...
. Under its new call sign WKZA and its corporate name of Raise Kane Radio Inc., it became one of the most listened to stations in McKean County
McKean County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, and faced very little competition outside Bradford
Bradford, Pennsylvania
Bradford is a small city located in rural McKean County, Pennsylvania, in the United States 78 miles south of Buffalo, New York. Settled in 1823, Bradford was chartered as a city in 1879 and emerged as a wild oil boomtown in the Pennsylvanian oil rush in the late 19th century...
-based WESB. Like many stations of its heyday, WKZA broadcast a full service
Full service (radio format)
The full service radio format consists of a wide range of programming. Mostly found on the AM band, the format can be found on a handful of FM stations...
format of local news, sports, with world and national news from the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
and adult contemporary music.
In 1984, WKZA faced its first direct competition from a brand new station, WRXZ-FM, but WKZA, still a daytime-only station, was easily winning the battle as WRXZ, rechristened as WIFI the year after its debut, lost money and went off the air.
Decline
However, in 1987 WIFI changed ownership and call signs to WLMIWBYB
WBYB is a talk radio formatted commercial radio station, licensed to Kane, Pennsylvania. WVTT operates at an effective radiated power of 840 watts...
, and with that received a massive cash infusion to challenge WKZA, which by this time, had been granted authorization by the FCC to operate at a power of 48 watts at night and 24-hour broadcasting rights (but chose to shut down daily at midnight). The new ownership, headed by wealthy industrialist and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
minority owner Dennis Heindl, resulted in an almost immediate success for WLMI.
WKZA staffers began to defect to WLMI, and the downhill spiral began. Though WLMI relied on satellite-delivered programming for music and DJ's, it also aired heavy amounts of local news, weather and sports in volumes that were more characteristic of an AM station than an FM station. This programming formula quickly became popular with the community at large and now listeners of WKZA were tuning out in droves. With the station's future at stake, Bilbat Radio put the station up for sale that year. WLMI showed little interest in acquiring its AM counterpart, and WKZA was sold to another owner a year later.
Sale and Failure
WKZA was sold to Bill Shannon in 1990, but quickly changed hands again to Walter R. Pierre in December 1991. Despite the ownership licensee changes, the land south of Kane in Wetmore TownshipWetmore Township, Pennsylvania
Wetmore Township is a township in McKean County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,721 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 79.0 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there...
, upon which the station's studio, office, and transmitter facilities remained in the name of Raise Kane Radio, according to McKean County court documents. The lack of revenue was quickly catching up with WKZA, as it started showing obvious signs of its inevitable destiny as the facility started to fall into disrepair and revenues necessary for repair and maintenance were gone.
Pierre switched to a short-lived oldies format to try and lure its older listeners back and changed the call letters to what would be the station's final call sign, WQLE, in a last-ditch attempt to save the station. However, the newly-christened WQLE, presumably unable to continue paying ASCAP/BMI fees necessary to broadcast music, switched from oldies to an all-talk populism
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
-based format by Chuck Harder
Chuck Harder
Chuck Harder was a former radio disk jockey turned talk show host in White Springs, Florida, USA. He is originally from Elgin, Illinois. He is no longer on the air.-Early radio career:...
's "For the People" nonprofit network that shared its revenues with its affiliate stations, many of which were financially distressed like WQLE. Pierre and operations manager Robert Wall were the station's only two employees, trying to keep costs as low as possible until positive revenue was generated. The "For the People" partnership and the efforts of Pierre and Wall to sell local commercials were unable to generate revenue substantial enough to keep WQLE on the air.
Despite their best efforts, the venture was ultimately unsuccessful. On December 21, 1992, WQLE 960 suddenly went silent
Dark (broadcasting)
In the broadcasting industry, dark is a term used to describe a radio station or television station that has gone off-the-air for an indefinite period of time, or as defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission , a "silent" station...
without explanation. It never formally forfeited its license.
Aftermath
FCC officials were surprised to learn in 1994 that the station had ceased operations when an inquiry had been made by a prospective new owner to the FCC's AM Services Bureau to purchase the license that was thought to have been forfeited. Because of the long, expensive and complicated process involved with returning an abandoned and long-neglected facility to the air, the prospective owner lost interest in returning the station to the air, and under reforms passed in the Telecommunications Act of 1996Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
, the license was formally canceled and deleted from the FCC database.
The property upon which WQLE's studio, office and transmitter facilities were located, was sold in 1994 to local businessmen Nick Petruney and Larry Groesch, who had the intent of building a self-storage rental facility on the lot, which later came to fruition. The tower, badly rusted, dark, and beyond all repair, was dismantled by 1997. The studio, office and transmitter building, had heavy interior water damage from a badly-leaking roof that was never repaired and collapsed in some offices, including the station's commercial production studio. As a result, much of the station's broadcasting and office equipment was destroyed, including the original Gates transmitter used since its 1948 inception, leaving virtually everything inside unsalvageable. This building was subsequently razed.
The WKZA
WKZA
WKZA is a radio station broadcasting a Hot Adult Contemporary/Contemporary hit radio format. Licensed to Lakewood, New York, USA, the station serves the Jamestown, New York area...
calls currently reside on a radio station in Lakewood, New York
Lakewood, New York
Lakewood is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, USA. The population was 3,258 at the 2000 census.The Village of Lakewood is located in the northern part of the Town of Busti.-Geography:Lakewood is located at ....
, broadcasting on 106.9 MHz as a KISS FM
Kiss FM
-United States:* KISS-FM , a brand name used for several Top 40 stations, many owned by Clear Channel Communications including:** KBKS-FM, better known as "106.1 KISS-FM", in Seattle** KHKS-FM, better known as "106.1 KISS-FM", in Dallas...
station.
Incidentally, Bilbat's last radio holding, and only other AM station, WHHO
WHHO
WHHO was a radio station broadcasting a sports talk format. Licensed to Hornell, New York, USA, the station served the Elmira-Corning area. The station was owned by Bilbat Radio, Inc. and featured programing from Fox Sports Radio and Citadel Media...
, was forced to give up its license as well in January 2010. The company was forced to sell off WKPQ
WKPQ
WKPQ is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Hornell, New York, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area including the Canisteo valley and northern Pennsylvania...
to another ownership group in 2009 due to financial problems and the death of one of the company partners.