WQNS

WQNS
City of license Woodfin, North Carolina
Broadcast area Western North Carolina
Branding Rock 105.1
Slogan Asheville's Rock Station
Frequency 105.1 MHz (also on HD Radio)
First air date 1979 (at 104.9)
Format Classic rock
HD2: Classic Hits
ERP 4,900 watts
HAAT 62 meters
Class A
Facility ID 41008
Callsign meaning Waynesville's Quiet New Sound
Former frequencies 104.9 MHz (1979-2014)
Owner iHeartMedia
Webcast Listen Live
Website 1051rocks.com

WQNS (105.1 FM, "Rock 105.1") is a classic rock radio station in Asheville, North Carolina.

History

WQNS signed on in 1979 at 104.9 FM as WQNS-FM (WQNS stood for...Waynesville's Quiet New Sound) and played "Easy Listening Music". When the station sold, it turned country and was branded Q-105 "Always Your Country".

In 1990, WQNS/WHCC owner KAT Communications of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina filed for Chapter 11, but the stations were doing well and no changes were planned.[1]

On October 28, 1997, the format changed to Classic rock and country music moved to WHCC (now WMXF). On September 20, 1999, WQNS was paired with WQNQ (formerly hot adult contemporary WMXF), and the two stations became "Rock 104".[2] Clear Channel bought the three stations in 2001.[3] In 2005, the simulcast was broken off after WQNQ's signal was upgraded and changed to Hot Adult Contemporary, but 104.9's Classic Rock format remained.[4]

On January 10, 2014, WQNS completed its move to Woodfin, North Carolina by moving its tower into Asheville, North Carolina and moving from 104.9 FM to 105.1 FM and rebranded as "Rock 105.1".[5] The Federal Communications Commission issued the license for the move to Woodfin and 105.1 FM on June 25, 2014.

Previous logo

(WQNS's logo under previous 104.9 FM frequency)

References

  1. "FM Station's Parent Firm Files for Chapter 11 Action," Greensboro News & Record, December 19, 1990.
  2. Tony Kiss, "Local Radio Station Gets New Format, Programming," Asheville Citizen-Times, September 19, 1999.
  3. Mark Barrett, "Company Bets on Future of Radio," Asheville Citizen-Times, January 10, 2001.
  4. Tony Kiss, "Clear Channel Asheville Debuts New Radio Station," Asheville Citizen-Times, March 18, 2005.
  5. http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/87341/wqns-moves-to-105-1/

External links

Coordinates: 35°34′08″N 82°54′25″W / 35.569°N 82.907°W