FM Signals Near Twin Cities Apply for Mutual Upgrades

Two FM stations that serve opposite sides of the Twin Cities metro area on the same frequency have applied for mutual upgrades that would slightly improve each station’s suburban coverage.

Townsquare Media’s KQCL/95.9 (Faribault) and Lakes Broadcasting’s WLKX/95.9 (Forest Lake) have both applied to increase power from 3kW to 6kW, which is the maximum for their class A licenses.

Their applications explain that the stations were considered to be far enough apart when they were first licensed but that subsequent changes to FCC spacing table made them short-spaced. While they are unable to upgrade to 6kW individually, they are eligible for a mutual upgrade.

KQCL’s upgrade would slightly improve its signal to the southern Twin Cities suburbs, with its 60 dbu (protected) contour nipping the southern end of Lakeville. WLKX’s upgrade would push its 60 dbu contour closer to I-694, the metro’s northern beltline highway.

KQCL carries Classic Rock as “Power 96” while WLKX runs “Big Q” Oldies as part of a regional simulcast.