WCQS will restore service to Highlands area listeners at a new location - 103.3 FM. Broadcast service at 101.7 was reduced to just downtown Highlands after being bumped by another station earlier this month. The other station, located in South Carolina, was granted a full power transmitter at the same frequency. Because the WCQS signal at 101.7 FM is a low-power translator, WCQS filed for a new frequency with the FCC and it has been granted.
WCQS engineers will take the current frequency, at 101.7 FM, down on Sunday, August 30th. WCQS will go dark for several hours while engineers complete the build out of its new location at 103.3 FM. The new frequency is expected to provide comparable coverage to the area, which includes the communities of Highlands, Cashiers and Sapphire.
WCQS General Manager and CEO, David Feingold, thanks listeners for their patience, “We appreciate the support and patience of our listeners and members in the area during the past few weeks. We are heartened to know that we were missed. Our technical staff reacted quickly to the rather late notice from the other station that required WCQS to shift frequency. We are thrilled and relieved that we will be able to restore service to the community at 103.3 FM.”
Until broadcast service is restored, listeners in the affected areas can turn to WCQS’ online stream and mobile app. Information about both can be found at www.wcqs.org. Listeners may direct questions about the frequency to membership@wcqs.org.
WCQS serves listeners throughout Western North Carolina with three primary stations and eight translators located in mountain communities.
