Wikipedia

KQIC

KQIC (102.5 FM) is an American radio station located in Willmar, Minnesota, United States.[3]

KQIC
Broadcast area
Central Minnesota
Frequency102.5 MHz
RDSPI: 3B12
PS/RT: Artist - Title on Q102
BrandingQ102
Programming
FormatHot adult contemporary
Ownership
OwnerLakeland Media, LLC.
KLFN, KOLV, KWLM, KSCR-FM, KKLN, KBMO
History
First air date
July 1, 1965 (as KWLM-FM)
Former call signs
KWLM-FM (1965-1972)
Call sign meaning
Quick InCome[1]
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
36378
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT253 meters
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live!
WebsiteKQIC Online

KQIC has a strong signal that can be picked up across most of Central Minnesota. It began as an AOR station in the 1960s, but now features a hot adult contemporary format.

On January 16, 2024, KQIC was sold to Lakeland Media. On the same day, longtime morning show host Tim Burns was told they were "not onboarding" him, giving no reason.[4]

History

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KQIC originated as the FM sister station to KWLM, the Willmar station founded by Harry Linder that signed on October 5, 1940.[5] The FM station began as KWLM-FM in 1965. At the time, FM broadcasting still had a limited audience in the area, and Lakeland Broadcasting later stated that the station aired automated music on large reels to maintain the license. The station also used its FM subcarrier to provide Muzak/background music service to local stores and other businesses.[6][7]

In 1972, after Steve Linder returned to Willmar, KWLM-FM was developed as a contemporary music station.[7] An advertisement for "The All-New KWLM-FM 102.5" promoted a January 3, 1972, relaunch with contemporary music, news, weather and sports. Later that year, KWLM-FM changed its call letters to KQIC; Broadcasting reported in March 1972 that KWLM-FM had been granted the KQIC-FM call sign. Lakeland Broadcasting's history described the early KQIC facility as operating with 70,000 watts from a 465-foot tower.[8][9]

KQIC-FM adopted the "Q102" branding in 1980. Around the same period, the station promoted itself through the Q102 Mobile Studio, a mobile disco and remote-broadcast vehicle used at local events in the Willmar area.[10]

Steve Linder purchased Lakeland Broadcasting in 1990.[7] In 1991, Broadcasting reported that KWLM and KQIC were being sold by Business Music Inc. to Steven W. Linder for $691,937. The same listing described KQIC as an adult contemporary station on 102.5 MHz operating with 100,000 watts.[11]

During the 1990s, Q102 and the other Lakeland stations moved toward computer-based production and playback. Lakeland Broadcasting's history states that a major transition to a digital delivery system for music, commercials and programs occurred in 1997.[12]

In September 2023, Lakeland Broadcasting agreed to sell its Willmar stations, including Hot AC-formatted "Q102" KQIC, to Lakeland Media LLC, owned by J. David Linder and Lynn Ketelsen. NorthPine reported that the transaction also included KWLM, KLFN and two KWLM translators, with a purchase price of $1.525 million.[13] The sale had closed by January 2024.[14]

Affiliation

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KQIC (Q102) in Minnesota is one of four stations in the Lakeland Media LLC group, which includes KOLV ("100.1 BIG Country"), KLFN ("106.5 The Train"), and KWLM ("News/Talk 1340").

As of January 16, 2024, the weekday lineup has included Eric Grieger on overnights, MaryElin Macht on middays, and Molly Penny on evenings. During the workday, dayparts are supplemented with news updates from J.P. Cola and hourly sports updates from Todd Bergeth, as well as agricultural news from the Linder Farm Network.[15]

KQIC airs syndicated programs Backtrax USA, American Top 40 and the Beacon every Sunday.

References

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  1. ↑ "Call Letter Meanings". World Radio History. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KQIC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "Q102". OnlineRadioBox.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Weekly Log: Regional TV Newscast; Morning Departures in MSP, Willmar". January 19, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Celebrating 75 Years!" (PDF). Lakeland Broadcasting. p. 1. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Celebrating 75 Years!" (PDF). Lakeland Broadcasting. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Steve Linder". Pavek Museum. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Celebrating 75 Years!" (PDF). Lakeland Broadcasting. p. 6. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 6, 1972. p. 57. Retrieved May 13, 2026 – via World Radio History.
  10. ↑ "Celebrating 75 Years!" (PDF). Lakeland Broadcasting. p. 7. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 18, 1991. p. 45. Retrieved May 13, 2026 – via World Radio History.
  12. ↑ "Celebrating 75 Years!" (PDF). Lakeland Broadcasting. p. 8. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ Ellis, Jon (September 14, 2023). "Willmar Radio Group Sold to Linder-Ketelsen Partnership". NorthPine. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  14. ↑ Ellis, Jon (January 19, 2024). "Weekly Log: Regional TV Newscast; Morning Departures in MSP, Willmar". NorthPine. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  15. ↑ Radio, Willmar. "Staff". Willmar Radio. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
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45°11′38″N 95°05′02″W / 45.194°N 95.084°W / 45.194; -95.084


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