Two radio stations on 95.9 on either end of the Twin Cities metro area have completed upgrades, sending stronger signals into the suburbs but also intensifying a battle for the frequency in the core cities themselves.
Townsquare Media’s KQCL/95.9 (Faribault) and Lakes Broadcasting’s WLKX/95.9 (Forest Lake) are short-spaced, so each had to agree to a much upgrade so both could increase from 3kW to 6kW.
KQCL’s upgrade slightly improves its signal to the southern Twin Cities suburbs, with its 60 dbu (protected) contour nipping the southern end of Lakeville. WLKX’s upgrade pushes its 60 dbu contour closer to I-694, the metro’s northern beltline highway.
However, an amateur radio operator observed that the upgrades also increased the stations’ battle for dominance on the frequency in the western suburbs, with the stations rapidly flipping back and forth as a vehicle moves.
KQCL carries Classic Rock as “Power 96” while WLKX runs “Big Q” Oldies as part of a regional simulcast.