WONQ

WONQ
Broadcast areaOrlando metropolitan area
Frequency1030 kHz
BrandingRomantica Orlando
Programming
FormatSpanish Oldies–Adult Standards
Ownership
Owner
  • Florida Broadcasters
  • (Q-Broadcasting Corp)
WLBE
WVVO
History
First air date
November 21, 1992; 31 years ago (November 21, 1992)
Former call signs
WCAG (1989–1992, CP)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID21760
ClassB
Power45,000 watts day
1,700 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
28°40′30″N 81°10′0″W / 28.67500°N 81.16667°W / 28.67500; -81.16667
Translator(s)93.9 W230AL (Union Park)
103.5 W278CN (Eatonville)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websiteromanticaorlando.com

WONQ (1030 AM) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a Spanish-language Oldies and Adult Standards radio format, known as "Romantica Orlando". Licensed to Oviedo, Florida, it serves the Orlando metropolitan area. The station is owned by Florida Broadcasters with the license held by the Q-Broadcasting Corporation. The station airs Orlando Magic basketball games and Orlando City SC soccer matches in Spanish.

By day, WONQ is powered at 45,000 watts non-directional. But 1030 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A WBZ Boston. So to avoid interference, at night WONQ greatly reduces power to 1,700 watts and uses a directional antenna. The transmitter is on Van Arsdale Street in Oviedo.[2]

History

The station signed on the air on November 21, 1992; 31 years ago (November 21, 1992). It has always been owned by Florida Broadcasters. The original power was 10,000 watts days and 500 watts nights, with studios on Semoran Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida.[3]

The station changed formats from Spanish News/Talk on April 29, 2019, with George Mier returning as Program Director.

From 2019 until 2021, the station was simulcast on FM translator W258DD Orlando at 99.5 FM, and was branded as "Viva FM." It billed itself as the only mainland U.S. station playing 100 % salsa music.[4]

Logo as La Grande 1030 AM
Logo as Viva FM

On December 31, 2021, WONQ flipped back to its previous Spanish-language oldies and popular adult standards under its former name "La Grande 1030", while the salsa music format, previously heard on WONQ, moved to 1140 WVVO.

In November 2023, WONQ brought back the "Romantica" brand (originally used from 2001 to 2003), airing romantic pop/rock ballads, as well as occasional brokered programming.

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WONQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WONQ
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1995 page B-89, Broadcasting & Cable
  4. ^ InsideRadio.com "Viva FM Brings Salsa to Central Florida" Oct. 19, 2019, retrieved 4/21/23