WQPM was an AM/FM simulcast operation which served the Princeton-Cambridge-Milaca area of east central Minnesota. This was long before the FM split off, moved to 106.1, and began targeting the northwestern Twin Cities suburbs. In 1982, WQPM-FM was 3,000 watts on 106.3, covering roughly the same area that WQPM-AM 1300 covers today.
On this aircheck, Todd Melby announces the weather. For some reason, I decided to pause the tape during the forecast. This is why it’s edited out with only the current conditions remaining. Interestingly enough, both WQPM-FM and the other local FM station KABG-FM 105.5 Cambridge (now WLUP-FM 105.3), have since upgraded and become Twin Cities rimshots. KBEK-FM 95.5 Mora then signed on as the replacement “local” radio station in this region. KBEK went dark a few years ago, but has since returned to the air.
To receive WQPM-FM from my home in Apple Valley, Minnesota, I used a Pioneer SX-3900 receiver, Winegard 10 element FM yagi antenna, Alliance U-100 Tenna Rotor, and Belden RG59 ultra low loss coaxial cable. This was recorded on a Technics stereo cassette deck with a Scotch Dynarange 90 tape.
WQPM_FM_Todd_Melby_November_1982