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WBCQ (SW)
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WBCQ is a shortwave radio station operating at Monticello, Maine, United States. The station is owned and operated by Allan Weiner,[1][3]: 828 who also owns and operates WXME AM 780 kHz and WBCQ-FM 94.7 MHz at the shortwave site. 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
Key Information
History
[edit]WBCQ began operation on September 8, 1998, on 7,415 kHz.[1]
"WBCQ, Monticello, Maine, began testing August 20 and began programming September 8, only on 7415, on a 245° beam, which roughly crosses Buffalo, Columbus, Evansville, Little Rock, San Antonio, Laredo, Durango, Tuxpan, across the Pacific to south of New Zealand."[5]
Rotatable antenna and 500 kW transmitter
[edit]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.[6]
Acquisition of World Harvest Radio International
[edit]In August 2020, it was reported that pending FCC approval, Weiner planned to purchase World Harvest Radio International, the shortwave arm of the Family Broadcasting Corporation.[7]
Frequencies
[edit]As of 2023, WBCQ broadcasts on 7.49 MHz (41m band) from noon until midnight (as WWCR is licensed to use the frequency during morning hours[8]), 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.)[9]
Notable shows
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Brown, Dan (September 2008). "WBCQ. The Planet" (PDF). Monitoring Times. Vol. 27, no. 9. pp. 10–13. ISSN 0889-5341. LCCN 91649214. OCLC 13943620. Retrieved 27 June 2019 – via americanradiohistory.com.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBCQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Ciment, James (15 March 2006). "Hate Radio and Internet". Social Issues in America: An Encyclopedia. Vol. Four. M. E. Sharpe. pp. 826–832. ISBN 9780765680617. LCCN 2005018778. OCLC 968159338. OL 3403590M. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via Internet Archive. p. 828:
WBCQ — the only station willing to air Hal Turner's program — is operated by Jewish free-speech advocate Alan Weiner.
- ^ Berg, Jerome S. (24 October 2008). Broadcasting on the Short Waves, 1945 to Today. McFarland & Company. pp. 826–832. ISBN 978-0786469024. LCCN 2005018778. OCLC 1035367522. OL 26805897M. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "WBCQ - An Alternative Shortwave Station" (PDF). Monitoring TImes. November 1998. p. 34. Retrieved September 9, 2025 – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ WBCQ reveals organization behind their new 500 kW transmitter, The SWLing Post, 2018-05-15, accessed 2020-02-18
- ^ 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.
- ^ WWCR transmitter schedule, summer 2023, retrieved September 7, 2023
- ^ Video: WBCQ/World's Last Chance Radio – Technical Notes, The SWLing Post, 2021-04-18, accessed 2021-09-14
External links
[edit]WBCQ (SW)
View on GrokipediaWBCQ (SW) is a privately owned shortwave radio station located in Monticello, Maine, United States, specializing in international broadcasts via high-power transmissions. Operated by Allan Weiner since its launch in 1998, the station employs a brokered time model, leasing airtime to independent producers for a diverse array of programming that prioritizes free speech and uncensored content, excluding only advocacy of direct harm.[1][2]
Transmitting at effective radiated powers up to 20 megawatts across frequencies such as 7.490 MHz, 9.330 MHz, 5.130 MHz, 3.265 MHz, and 6.160 MHz, WBCQ utilizes a unique rotatable high-power antenna—the only one of its kind in North America—to optimize signal directionality and coverage worldwide. This setup, combined with co-located AM and FM operations, distinguishes it as a multifaceted broadcasting facility sustained for over 25 years through affordable hourly rates starting at $25, attracting religious ministries, eclectic music shows, and satirical programs like Le Show hosted by Harry Shearer.[2][1][3]
The station's defining characteristic lies in its commitment to accessible airwaves for niche and alternative voices, evolving from Weiner's background in unlicensed broadcasting to a licensed operation that fills a gap left by declining government shortwave services, thereby preserving a platform for global shortwave enthusiasts despite the medium's niche status in the digital era.[1][2]
History
Founding and Initial Operations (1998–2000s)
Allan Weiner, a New York-born radio enthusiast born on June 12, 1953, with prior experience operating unlicensed pirate stations such as Radio Newyork International, pursued a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license for a legal shortwave operation starting in late 1988.[4] After a protracted 14-year effort involving multiple applications and legal challenges, the FCC granted Weiner the construction permit for WBCQ in 1998, enabling the station's establishment on his rural property in Monticello, Maine.[5] WBCQ commenced broadcasting on September 8, 1998, with Weiner hosting the inaugural program, marking the station's entry into international shortwave as a licensed U.S. outlet.[6] Initial operations centered on the 41-meter band frequency of 7.415 MHz using a single transmitter, which drew criticism from pirate radio operators for occupying a channel previously favored for unlicensed North American broadcasts.[4] The setup emphasized a brokered time model from the outset, leasing airtime to independent producers for diverse content including music, talk, and specialty programming aimed at global audiences, particularly in Europe and the Americas during nighttime hours when propagation favored transatlantic and tropical paths.[2] Through the early 2000s, WBCQ maintained modest technical infrastructure with limited power output compared to later upgrades, focusing on reliable scheduling amid regulatory compliance and signal interference issues on the crowded shortwave spectrum.[7] Programming expanded gradually to include religious broadcasts and hobbyist shows, sustaining operations through time sales rather than direct advertising, while Weiner navigated occasional disputes with the FCC over frequency usage and content boundaries.[5][2] This period solidified WBCQ's niche as a rare privately owned U.S. shortwave station, distinct from government-funded international broadcasters.[2]Facility Expansions and Acquisitions
In 2018, WBCQ expanded its Monticello, Maine, facility with the installation of a high-power rotatable AHR 4/4/0.5 curtain antenna, manufactured by Ampegon AG, standing 260 feet tall and designed to handle up to 500 kW of transmitted power with 23 dB gain for directional beaming worldwide.[3][8] This upgrade supported a new 500 kW Continental Electronics transmitter, part of a multi-million-dollar construction project to enhance global coverage and propagation efficiency from the existing site.[9] The expansion built on earlier infrastructure, transitioning from initial 50 kW operations to multi-transmitter capabilities across frequencies like 7.490 MHz, 9.330 MHz, and 5.130 MHz, enabling brokered programming with improved signal strength and flexibility.[2] In August 2020, station owner Allan Weiner acquired World Harvest Radio International (WHRI), a shortwave facility in Furman, South Carolina, from Family Broadcasting Corporation for $1.25 million, pending FCC approval.[10][11] This purchase added WHRI's high-power shortwave infrastructure, previously focused on Christian broadcasting, to WBCQ's portfolio, potentially expanding transmission options and geographic diversity for leased-time content.Recent Technical Upgrades and Developments
In 2018, WBCQ installed a 500 kW shortwave transmitter supplied by Continental Electronics, marking a substantial increase in power capacity over its prior equipment and enabling broader global coverage. This high-power unit supports transmissions across multiple frequencies, including 7.490 MHz and 5.130 MHz, with effective radiated power optimized for long-distance propagation.[2][9] Complementing the transmitter, a rotatable curtain array antenna (AHR 4/4/0.5), 260 feet tall and produced by former Ampegon AG, was erected in the same year by Cestron International of Germany. The antenna's dual-band design for low- and high-frequency operations, combined with its rotation capability on a geared base, allows dynamic beam steering to target specific regions, enhancing signal reliability and efficiency amid varying ionospheric conditions.[3][2] These upgrades, funded by a private investor, became operational in fall 2018, transforming WBCQ's Monticello, Maine facility into one of the most advanced private shortwave stations in the United States. The enhancements have sustained the station's brokered programming model by improving reception reports from international audiences.[9] In January 2024, WBCQ relocated its "Area 51" service programming from 6160 kHz to 5130 kHz while shortening the schedule by two hours, adapting to spectrum management and operational efficiencies. This shift leverages the upgraded transmitter's capabilities on the new frequency for continued experimental and leased broadcasts.Ownership and Business Model
Allan Weiner's Background and Role
Allan H. Weiner, born June 12, 1953, in Yonkers, New York, initiated his involvement in radio during his high school years by constructing and operating unlicensed stations using surplus World War II-era equipment.[12] Over the following three decades, he established multiple pirate radio operations across New York and Maine, including offshore broadcasts via Radio Newyork International from a ship off Long Island in the 1970s, which drew federal enforcement actions and arrests for violating licensing regulations.[5][13] In 1997, Weiner authored the memoir Access to the Airwaves: My Fight for Free Radio, chronicling his experiences and advocacy for unrestricted access to the spectrum as a free speech imperative.[14] Transitioning from unlicensed activities, Weiner secured a Federal Communications Commission license and launched WBCQ in September 1998 from a 50,000-watt facility in Monticello, Maine, marking one of the few privately owned shortwave outlets in the United States.[15] The station, branded "The Planet," adopted a brokered model allowing independent programmers to lease airtime, reflecting Weiner's long-standing emphasis on diverse, uncensored content over corporate dominance.[15] As owner and general manager, Weiner directs WBCQ's technical and programming operations, including coordination with chief engineer Tim Smith and program director Jason Hill, while co-managing with his wife, Angela Weiner, who serves as assistant manager.[1] He also oversees affiliated stations WXME (AM 780 kHz) and WBCQ-FM (94.7 MHz) at the same site, creating a unique shortwave-AM-FM cluster that supports global propagation alongside local service.[2] Weiner's role extends to public advocacy, positioning WBCQ as a bastion for alternative voices amid declining traditional shortwave infrastructure.[1]Brokered Programming Approach
WBCQ employs a brokered programming model, leasing airtime blocks on its shortwave transmitters to independent producers and organizations, who supply and broadcast their own content without station interference in programming decisions.[2] This approach, common in private shortwave operations, enables the station to sustain operations by generating revenue from time sales rather than producing content internally.[2] The model has supported WBCQ's continuous broadcasting since its founding in 1998, marking 26 years of viability as of 2024, even as nonprofit shortwave usage has declined.[2] Primary revenue derives from religious programmers, particularly Christian groups such as the Overcomer Ministry, which form the bulk of clients due to their consistent demand for global outreach.[2] Station owner Allan Weiner has noted that these clients provide reliable funding, stating, "We get the bulk of our funding from religious programmers… they’re good clients."[2] Programmers access slots across frequencies like 7.490 MHz, 9.330 MHz, 5.130 MHz, 3.265 MHz, and 6.160 MHz, with rates positioned as the industry's lowest to attract diverse users, including political, musical, and international broadcasters.[1] For instance, the 6.160 MHz frequency offers time at $25 per hour, with a minimum commitment of four hours weekly.[1] Prospective lessees contact the station via email or phone to negotiate blocks, with ongoing inquiries reported daily.[2][1] A key feature is WBCQ's commitment to unrestricted free speech, prohibiting only content that advocates harm based on race, creed, or national origin, which draws programmers seeking an uncensored platform.[1] Weiner emphasizes this policy, explaining, "Our clients come to WBCQ because of our stance on freedom of speech where we do not censor people on the air."[2] This contrasts with more regulated broadcasters and supports a wide array of viewpoints, from religious evangelism to niche music and talk programs.[2]Technical Specifications
Transmitters and Power Capabilities
WBCQ's primary shortwave transmitter is a Continental Electronics model rated at 500 kW, installed as part of facility upgrades and primarily utilized on the 9.330 MHz frequency to achieve global coverage.[2] This high-power unit enables an effective radiated power (ERP) of up to 20 MW when paired with directional antennas, positioning WBCQ among the most potent shortwave broadcasters in North America.[2][16] The station supplements this with a legacy array of transmitters from Collins, Gates, and Harris, which operate at lower power levels—typically ranging from 50 kW to 250 kW depending on configuration and frequency—and feed into smaller, fixed antennas for supplementary broadcasting.[2] These older units support operations on additional bands but are less efficient for long-distance propagation compared to the flagship 500 kW system.[17] Power capabilities are enhanced by a rotatable AHR 4/4/0.5 antenna array, manufactured by Ampegon (formerly Ampegon AG) and erected in 2018, which spans 260 feet in height and handles up to 500 kW across the 6–26 MHz shortwave spectrum.[3][8] This unique rotatable design, the only one of its kind in North America for shortwave, allows beam steering to optimize signal directionality based on ionospheric conditions and target audiences.[3] Complementary fixed antennas, including log-periodic arrays, curtain systems, and band-specific reflectors, provide redundancy and frequency-specific gain for the full range of operations.[2]| Transmitter Type | Power Rating | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Continental Electronics | 500 kW | High-power global broadcasts (e.g., 9.330 MHz)[2] |
| Collins/Gates/Harris (legacy) | 50–250 kW | Supplementary frequencies and lower-demand slots[2] |
Antennas and Propagation Systems
WBCQ employs directional curtain array antennas at its Monticello, Maine transmitter site to achieve high effective radiated power for shortwave broadcasting. These include low-band and high-band arrays positioned back-to-back, each featuring a reflector screen that enhances gain and directivity toward specific regions such as Europe and Africa.[2] The arrays support transmissions up to 500 kW, enabling skywave propagation via ionospheric reflection for global coverage.[2] In 2018, the station introduced North America's first rotatable shortwave high-power array antenna, designed for signals up to 500 kW and supplied by Ampegon of Switzerland.[18] Mounted on a 260-foot (79-meter) mast, this system comprises low- and high-band elements that allow beam steering across azimuths.[19] The rotatable configuration, consisting of 16 folded dipoles arranged in a 4-by-4 grid with a mesh reflector, facilitates adaptive pointing to optimize propagation paths based on real-time ionospheric conditions and target audiences.[20][21] These antenna systems prioritize skywave propagation, where signals reflect multiple times off the ionosphere to reach distant listeners, supplemented by groundwave for near-field coverage. The high-gain directional designs compensate for ionospheric absorption and path losses, particularly during nighttime hours when lower frequency bands exhibit enhanced long-distance performance.[2] Fixed arrays provide reliable coverage to primary targets like Europe, while the rotatable array extends flexibility for worldwide beaming, including experimental directions funded by brokered programmers.[22]Frequencies and Broadcasting Schedules
WBCQ transmits on four primary shortwave frequencies: 5.130 MHz (5130 kHz) at 50 kW, 6.160 MHz (6160 kHz) at 50 kW, 7.490 MHz (7490 kHz) at 50 kW, and 9.330 MHz (9330 kHz) at 250 kW, all from its facility in Monticello, Maine.[1][23] These allocations enable coverage to Europe, Asia, and other regions depending on propagation conditions, with 9330 kHz often directed westward (azimuth 245°) for English programming and eastward (azimuth 76°) for Portuguese.[24] Schedules are brokered, meaning time slots are leased to independent producers, resulting in a mix of religious, music, talk, and niche content that rotates weekly without fixed seasonal changes.[23][25]| Frequency (MHz) | Typical Daily Broadcast Window (UTC) | Common Programming Themes |
|---|---|---|
| 5.130 | 0000–0300 (evenings/nights) | Music and experimental shows, e.g., Radio Timtron Worldwide (Sundays 2300–0000), American Debauchery (Mondays 0000–0200).[23] |
| 6.160 | 0000–0300 (late nights) | Talk radio, e.g., The Hal Turner Show (Tuesdays–Saturdays 0100–0200 or extended), Devil’s Advocate (Saturdays 0200–0300).[23][24] |
| 7.490 | 1600–0400 (afternoons through nights) | Religious and eclectic mix, e.g., The Overcomer Ministry (daily 1600–2000+), Pirate Joe Extravaganzo (multiple evenings 2000–2100), Shortwave Saturday Night (Sundays 0100–0400).[23] |
| 9.330 | Near-continuous (0400–0400 next day) | Religious programming, e.g., World's Last Chance (daily full cycle in English and Portuguese).[23][24][25] |
