WXHQ-LP
Broadcast areaNewport and Providence, Rhode Island
Frequency105.9 MHz
BrandingRadio Newport
Programming
FormatJazz/Freeform
Ownership
OwnerNewport Music Arts Association
History
First air date
December 2001[1]
Call sign meaning
"X marks the spot for High Quality programming"[1]
Technical information
Facility ID123581
ClassL1
ERP50 watts
HAAT42.3 meters
Transmitter coordinates
41°29′06″N 71°18′32″W / 41.48500°N 71.30889°W / 41.48500; -71.30889
Links
Website1059xhq.org

WXHQ-LP (105.9 FM, "Radio Newport") is a non-commercial radio station licensed to the community of Newport, Rhode Island. The station serves Newport and the greater Providence, Rhode Island, area.[2] The station is owned and operated by the Newport Music Arts Association, a non-profit organization.[3] It airs a Jazz/Freeform format that, according to the station's website, includes "jazz, blues, r&b, bossa nova, Afro-Cuban, lounge, soul, funk, reggae, ska, electronic, downtempo, acid-jazz, surf, world, country, folk, and even occasionally some rock".[4][5] The music played is almost exclusively instrumental and the station has a policy against playing songs featuring English language vocals.[1]

The station has been assigned the WXHQ-LP call letters by the Federal Communications Commission since May 31, 2001.[6] This is the first FCC-licensed low-power FM station in the state of Rhode Island.[7] WXHQ-LP is also the first public radio station licensed to Newport.[8]

Community involvement

The WXHQ-LP studios are located on in a small office on Marlborough Street.[1] The station's transmitter is located atop the Hotel Viking on Bellvue Avenue in downtown Newport.[9] This transmitter site includes a rooftop container garden used to promote sustainable agriculture and green living by collecting rainwater and growing food.[10]

Other community involvement activities of WXHQ-LP include providing music programming for the annual Newport Island Moving Co. dance festival,[11] broadcasting the Newport Jazz Festival,[3] and serving as a contributing sponsor each year for the Newport International Film Festival.[12]

FCC actions

On October 29, 2007, the FCC issued a $250 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for WXHQ-LP to licensee Newport Music Arts Association.[13] The fine was levied because the station failed to file a timely license renewal application and did not provide an explanation for the late filing. The standard fine of $3,000 was reduced because the licensee did file a renewal application before the actual expiration of the broadcast license.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Weisman, Janine (2006-03-22). "The little station that could". The Newport Mercury. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.
  2. ^ Carnegie, Jim (2002-08-16). "LPFM starts on a slow roll". Radio Business Report.
  3. ^ a b "Newport Musical Arts Association". Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County. Archived from the original on 2007-08-31. The Newport Musical Arts Association has been awarded a Low Power FM radio station license (WXHQ 105.9) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This license will enable the NMAA, a non-profit organization, to broadcast uniquely diverse programming to the city of Newport and its surrounding areas.
  4. ^ "Welcome to the WXHQ Website". WXHQ 105.9 Low Power FM, Newport RI.
  5. ^ "Winter 2008 Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  6. ^ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  7. ^ Fybush, Scott (2003-01-01). "2002 Year In Review". NorthEast Radio Watch. WXHQ-LP (105.9 Newport), Rhode Island's first LPFM
  8. ^ "Low-power Newport radio station is fueled by high-powered hopes". The Newport Daily News. 2001-07-23.
  9. ^ Fybush, Scott (2002-07-01). "July 1, 2002 - New 1610 Signs On in Montreal". NorthEast Radio Watch.
  10. ^ "Rooftop Garden in Newport, Rhode Island, USA". The Rooftop Garden Project. 2007-12-13.
  11. ^ Rodriguez, Johnette (Fall 2005). "Fall Preview: Moving It - From Birds To Bach To Ballroom And Belly Dance". The Providence Phoenix.
  12. ^ "Contributing Sponsors". Newport International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2008-02-25.
  13. ^ "Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture DA 07-4457". Federal Communications Commission.

External links

Radio stations in the Newport, Rhode Island area
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