KQMR

KQMR (100.3 FM) is a radio station in Globe, Arizona, USA, owned by Univision Communications and licensed to Univision Radio License Corporation. The station was assigned the KQMR call letters by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on September 16, 2005.^[1] It airs a Spanish language Latin Pop music format.^[2]

History

100.3 signed on in 1980 as KIKO-FM, owned by Willard "Willy" Shoecraft owner of KIKO (AM), who began operating his FM station from a ridge above Globe (the east end used by the local two way users).

100.3 ran 30,000 watts from a transmitter site 3,700 feet above average terrain. In the late 1980s it was decided that the station would be able to reduce height and increase power toward the 100,000 limit allowed for the class of the station. A site on the west side of the ridge required new roads and special construction. The site was miles from commercial power, and no power lines were available. The transmitter went on air with locally generated power.

100.3 was known as KGRX and then KEYX "Key 103" when it began targeting Phoenix in 1988. The station went from Adult Alternative to Smooth Jazz in 1990, and then to Active Rock KZRX in 1991 simulcasting KEDJ in 1995.

KZRX was a hard rock format, which was at the height of its success in 1992-1993. The station went head to head with KUPD, with high-profile jocks like Madd Maxx Hammer, The G-Ster, Jan Williams, Dangerous Dave Olson, KC Kennedy, Larry Mac, Rob Trygg, Tracy Lea and many other veteran KUPD jocks. On-air slogans included "Get Hard", "Arizona's Rockradio Superstation", "Arizona's Hardest", and "Z-Rock" in its first year.

KZRX dropped hard rock for Hot talk in early 1995 and applied for the letters KHOT-FM, adding Howard Stern, who was also on KGME.^[3]

In 2001 Univision (when it was Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation) acquired the station and changed it to a Spanish-language adult contemporary station called "Amor". In October 2005, Univision made adjustments to the "Amor" format making it more Oldies-driven, and changed the name to "Recuerdo".

As of September 3, 2010 at 4:30pm KQMR 100.3 signed on as "La Kalle" a Latin pop station. Recuerdo is still heard on KOMR 106.3 FM.

On January 2, 2013 KQMR began simulcasting on KHOV-FM 105.3 FM Wickenburg, Arizona.^[4]

On September 28, 2014, KQMR rebranded as "100.3 Latino Mix".

KHOV-FM history

KHOV-FM used to air a country music format with the call letters KRDS. In 1990, KRDS changed formats to Contemporary Christian. KRDS moved from 105.5 (MHz) to 105.3 MHz and increased its signal from a class A to class B. On March 21, 1997, the format was changed to Adult Standards with a change of call letters to KMYL to complement their "Music of Your Life" slogan. In 2000, it switched to Spanish hits. In 2001, the station was acquired by Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation creating a simulcast for co-owned KHOT-FM. On January 2, 2013 KHOV-FM switched from a simulcast with regional Mexican-formaated KHOT-FM 105.9 to a simulcast with KQMR 100.3 FM Globe, Arizona.

KHOV has applied for an FCC construction permit to move to 105.1 MHz, increase ERP to 46,000 watts and decrease HAAT to 410 meters. KHOV-FM began transmitting from these upgraded facilities on October 20, 2016.

References

External links

• KQMR official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KQMR
• Radio-Locator information on KQMR
• Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KQMR
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KHOV
• Radio-Locator information on KHOV
• Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KHOV
• KZRX Memorial Fan Site