WKPQ

WKPQ (105.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Hornell, New York, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area including the Canisteo valley and northern Pennsylvania. The station is currently owned by Sound Communications, LLC. of Corning, NY.

History

The station signed on in 1946 as WWHG-FM, owned by the W.H. Greenhow Co who also owned the Hornell Tribune newspaper. In the era of AM radio it did not do well financially, so the mission became to procure an AM signal. In 1949 WWHG began operation on 1590 with 500 Watts. Very shortly thereafter WLEA 1320 kHz went into bankruptcy and discontinued operations. A Pennsylvania radio station operator, Cary Simpson, purchased the equipment, most of which was used to sign on WFRM-AM Coudersport, PA... The license was purchased by the WWHG, moving WWHG to 1320 and turning in the 1590 License. WLEA returned a year later under different ownership on 1480 kHz, where it is today. WWHG AM-FM later became WHHO AM-FM, eventually bought by Bilbat Radio in 1983. Renamed WKPQ, 105.3 began an Adult contemporary format; WHHO an MOR/variety format as before.