WHQR Public Radio is honored to announce the debut of its new all-classical FM signal. This 24/7, non-commercial classical station will join the newly expanded 24/7, non-commercial news and information station 91.3fm WHQR News. The classical signal frequency and full program grids for both stations will be announced on Tuesday at 5:30 pm, on the air and on this website.
Update Monday 9/15: Wednesday's CoastLine program will be a special devoted to all the changes we're making as we launch Classical HQR and HQR News on 91.3fm, Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Listen to CoastLine at its new time, at 12:06 after the Midday Interviews. You can send questions to coastline@whqr.org, on Twitter @coastlinehqr, or ask questions in advance at 910-361-COAST (361-2627).
Also: above is a recording of the very first sounds made by a test of Classical HQR on September 5, 2014. The test was conducted on 92.7fm. We have since moved to our permanent FM frequency, which will be announced tomorrow.
In this test you can hear static, then the signal starts in mid-stream with "New York, New York, It's a Hell of a Town" from Leonard Bernstein's On the Town. You should be able in this short excerpt to hear the signal tweaking from engineer Jobie Sprinkle as reception improves.
WHQR was founded in 1980 and went on the air in 1984 thanks to the devoted work of listeners hungry for classical music on the radio. Now that vision will realize its long-cherished dream: a 24-hour classical FM station with Jemila Ericson, Pat Marriott, favorite syndicated programs -- and music, music, music.
This new service also brings great change to 91.3fm that will also benefit news and information listeners. Programming on the original 91.3fm will include our new WHQR-produced CoastLine talk show, plus more shows from national and regional sources that have been requested by listeners over the years. Along with adding new programs (to be announced Tuesday), WHQR will be able to air popular national public radio programs in their entirety and live, in real broadcast time.
The launch of the new signal will be celebrated with an event broadcast live on both stations, Tuesday at 5:20 pm from the WHQR Studios in downtown Wilmington. Local political dignitaries, WHQR board and staff members, and individual and corporate supporters will gather to toast the new signal and flip a giant ceremonial switch. The official signal launch will occur at 5:30 pm. Listeners will be able to hear the new station, and program schedules for both stations will be available on the website.
Station Manager Cleve Callison says, “As we celebrate 30 years of serving our wonderful community, we are excited to be able to offer this new gift to our listeners. We hope both our classical fans and our news and information listeners will love the hugely expanded service. We like to think that we’re now giving listeners 48 hours of great radio a day."
Chair of the Board David Zumbro says, “Our dedication to a classical signal honors the spirit of WHQR’s founders, while our expanded news and information programming offers a wider view of world, national, state and local events. Even as we grow and change, WHQR remains committed to serving the community that has supported us so generously.”
WHQR 91.3fm and its new signal, broadcasting from Wilmington, will be the only public radio stations serving southeastern North Carolina. Together, the stations will offer news, music, entertainment and interaction to expand knowledge, encourage artistic appreciation, engage our community and promote civil discourse.