WBCQ is a shortwaveradio station operating at Monticello, Maine, United States. The station is owned and operated by Allan Weiner,[1][3]: 828 who also owns and operates WXMEAM 780 kHz and WBCQ-FM 94.7 MHz at the shortwave site. WBCQ began operation on September 8, 1998, on 7.415 MHz.[1] The station transmits talk shows and other programs produced by commercial networks as well as former pirate radio broadcasters, including Weiner himself.[1][4]: 24, 371, 383
Rotatable antenna and 500kW transmitter
In 2018, WBCQ applied for a transmitter license associated with a rotatable antenna, later revealed to be a 500 kW transmitter for an Ampegon rotatable curtain antenna on a single mast.[5]
As of 2023, WBCQ broadcasts on 7.49 MHz (41m band) from noon until midnight (as WWCR is licensed the frequency during morning hours[7]), including original programming in the late-afternoon and evening hours (Eastern time zone); the remaining time is leased to R.G. Stair's Overcomer Ministry. WBCQ also broadcasts on 3.265 MHz (mostly dormant), 6.16 MHz (a secondary frequency that operates evenings), 5.13 MHz ("Radio Angela," a two-hour evening service with eclectic music and spoken word entertainment), and 9.33 MHz (a full-time lease-out to World's Last Chance, a flat-Earth evangelistic society.)[8]
^Venta, Lance (14 August 2020). "Station Sales Week Of 8/14". Radio Insight. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023. Family Broadcasting Corporation is selling shortwave Christian "World Harvest Radio" WHRI Furman SC to Allan Weiner for $1.25 million. Weiner also owns shortwave Talk "The Planet" WBCQ Monticello ME as well as Talk/Rock 780 WXME/98.3 W252DW and Classic Country "Kixx 94.7" WBCQ-FM Monticello.