Staunton radio station WQSV is back on the air after late December transmitter issues

Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read
WQSV, an independent radio station, is located in downtown Staunton and broadcasts online and over the air at 106.3 LP-FM.
WQSV, an independent radio station, is located in downtown Staunton and broadcasts online and over the air at 106.3 LP-FM.

STAUNTON — Shortly after Christmas, a part at the transmitter for WQSV failed, leaving Staunton’s independent, not-for-profit radio station off the air.

While it was able to stream online through its website and other internet radio apps, WQSV was unable to broadcast over the air for about a month.

“Because of the holidays, weather-related delivery delays, and a few other when-it-rains-it-pours reasons, it took several weeks for us to get a replacement device configured and installed,” said Ben Leonard, the station’s general manager.

The station was finally able to repair the transmitter Thursday, Jan. 25.

“We're now back up and broadcasting to the greater Staunton area,” Leonard said Friday, “and are grateful for our listeners and supporters for bearing with us these past few weeks.”

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Leonard described the format as “triple-A” — adult album alternative.

“But you'll hear just about everything from us,” Leonard said. “Specialty shows from local DJs, interviews with downtown business owners, community announcements, and weekly book recommendations from our local librarians, to name just a few.”

For instance, on Saturdays, according to its website, the station airs shows that feature everything from bluegrass to Johnny Cash to the Grateful Dead to Saturday night oldies. And throughout the week you can find shows featuring indie music, soul, hip hop and jazz.

“Oh good,” Molly Rose Murphy wrote on the station’s Facebook page when it was announced they were back on the air. “We missed cooking dinner to WQSV jams on the ole’ kitchen radio.”

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: WQSV, a Staunton radio station, is back on the air after transmitter problems