WQHZ
WQHZ is classic rock formatted broadcast radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania owned by Cumulus Media. WQHZ's studios are located at 471 Robison Road in Erie while its transmitter is located at Peach St and Sesame Street south of Erie.
 | |
| City | Erie, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Frequency | 102.3 MHz |
| Branding | Z102.3 |
| Slogan | Erie's Classic Rock |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Cumulus Media (Radio License Holding CBC, LLC) |
| WRIE, WXTA, WXKC | |
| History | |
First air date | 1971 (as WMDI-FM) |
Former call signs | WMDI-FM (1971-1980) WSEG (1980-1986) WJET-FM (1986-2001) WLKK (6/2001-10/2001) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 65748 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 1,700 watts |
| HAAT | 187 meters |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | z1023online.com |
Notable weekday programming includes "The Bob and Tom Show" on mornings, John Mathews on mid-days, Mike Sheffield on afternoons, and Chuck Stevens on nights.
History of the 102.3 frequency
Several stations and formats have called dial position 102.3 FM home in Erie over the years. In the 1970s, progressive rock ruled the airwaves and 102.3 was known as WMDI-FM until 1980. Former WJET/1400 DJ Ron Seggi (Ronnie Gee) bought the station and "Red Hot 102" WSEG was born. They played a mix of adult contemporary and current and classic rock.
WSEG remained on the air until 1986 when longtime Erie AM radio station WJET took over the station. The first song played under Jet-FM 102 was Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA", which was played back on a cart machine plugged directly in the transmitter while the crossover of lines from the two stations took place. The antenna at that time was on one of WQLN's towers. JET-FM 102, as they were known for several years, changed formats a few times throughout the years. Formats ranged from Top 40 to AC to Rock and back to Top 40. A minor name change to JET102 locked them into a Top 40 playoff with rival Star 104/WRTS.
On April 1, 1999, JET102 became 102.3 The Point, playing alternative rock.[1]
Then in 2001, Regent Communications bought the rights for 102.3. On October 23 (10/23) at 1:02PM WQHZ/Z-102 was born playing "Eriez Classic Hitz". The first song played under this new station name was "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. In 2002, after being on the air for a year, a minor format change took place to classic rock, and an addition to the name brought on our current Z-102.3 "Erie'Z Classic Rock". Z102.3 major rival is longtime FM staple Rocket 101/WRKT.
External links
- Official Website
- WQHZ in the FCC's FM station database
- WQHZ on Radio-Locator
- WQHZ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database