Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 10, 1994 TAG: 9409130004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Formats for the two new AMs - which have been in the planning and application process for over ten years - have not been firmed up yet, but WKNV may start out duplicating the contemporary gospel programming of PAR-FM that originates with Dublin's WPIN (91.5 FM and 102.5 FM). Veteran Blacksburg group broadcasters Vernon Baker - who owns WPIN - and his son Edward are the new stations' licensees. Vernon Baker said WKNV's AM signal would get the PAR-FM programming "down in the hollers" where an FM signal can't reach.
WKNV could begin broadcasting as early as October, Baker said. WCQR is expected to follow a short time later. An antenna tower to serve both stations is being erected near Dublin at Morgan's Cut off Old Route 11 next to the Pulaski Correctional Unit. Pending engineering tests, a second tower could join the first.
WKNV, with 1,000 watts of power, and WCQR, with 2,500 watts, are licensed for daytime-only operation. WKNV should cover a 40-mile radius, Baker said, while the more powerful WCQR signal should carry from Roanoke to Bristol.
The anticipated addition of WKNV and WCQR raises the number of Pulaski County broadcasters to eight - counting sister stations WRAD (1460 AM) and WRIQ (101.7 FM) which are licensed to Radford but located in Fairlawn.
By comparison, neighboring (and more populous) Montgomery County has six local signals plus two translators for out-of-town FM stations (WROV-FM and WPIN).
by CNB