WSQR (1180 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Sycamore, Illinois, the station is owned by Nelson Multimedia Inc. WSQR also broadcasts on FM translators W225CC 92.9 Sycamore, W263BM 100.5 DeKalb, and W273CZ 102.5 Plano.
History WSQR began broadcasting on June 11, 1981, and was owned by Hometown Communications.Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 412-414."Despite snags, WSQR is on the air", Daily Chronicle. June 12, 1981. p. 2. The station originally broadcast at 1560 kHz, running 250 watts during daytime hours only. The station originally aired a MOR-adult contemporary format, with the slogan "Welcome to Our Sunshine". A year later, the station began airing a country music format.Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-84. Retrieved July 22, 2018. In spring 1989, the station began airing an oldies format.The M Street Radio Directory. 1990. p. 128. Retrieved August 15, 2018. In late 1990, the station switched back to a country music format.The M Street Radio Directory. 1991. p. 136. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
In 1993, after being silent, the station adopted a modern rock format, while temporarily being run by Northern Illinois University students."Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 8. February 24, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2018. The station again went silent in January 1994."Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 4. January 26, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
In 1994, the station was sold to Larry and Pamela Nelson."Transactions", Radio & Records, September 16, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved August 16, 2018. The station returned to the air at 6 AM on December 5, 1994, airing soft adult contemporary music from Jones Radio Networks, along with local news and information."Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 50. December 14, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved September 11, 2018. The station was branded "The Spirit of DeKalb County"."WSQR", Daily Chronicle. February 26, 1995. p. 6. The station added nighttime operations in 1996, running 17 watts."Facilities/Parameters: Grants", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 11. March 13, 1996. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2018. In August 1999, the station's format was changed to adult standards, carrying Timeless Favorites programming from ABC."Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 16 No. 34. August 25, 1999. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
WSQR moved to 1180 kHz in late 2006.Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018.Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018. WSQR continued carrying Timeless network programming from Citadel Broadcasting until the network's shutdown in February 2010 when it adopted a classic hits formatBroadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010, Broadcasting & Cable, 2010. p. D-200. Retrieved August 16, 2018.Devine, Cathy (2010-2011). The Radio Book 2010-2011. p. 219. Retrieved August 16, 2018. (from Citadel's Classic Hits network). WSQR returned to the adult standards format in late summer of 2011, airing Dial Global's America's Best Music, but in November 2012 switched back to classic hits from the Dial Global network.
February 2025 - WSQR studios has moved to the station's owners main studio in Plano Illinois.
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