Duluth Radio Station Returns to Air Two Months After Fire

VCY America’s 50kW AM radio station in Duluth has returned to the air more than two months after fire destroyed its transmitter.

WQRM/850 had been off the air since August 8. The Duluth Fire Department has not provided an update on the cause of the fire.

According to an August news release from the Duluth Fire Department, a passerby reported the fire at the WQRM transmitter site in the Gary-New Duluth neighborhood just after 3 a.m. The transmitter is along the St. Louis River in an area known as Radio Tower Bay near the Oliver Bridge.

The fire was in a one-story equipment building attached to the two-story main structure. The news release says the fire destroyed three transmitters worth at least $500,000 and also caused an estimated $75,000 in damage to the structure.

WQRM is licensed to transmit with 50kW during the day but has no nighttime authorization. VCY upgraded the station, formerly WWJC, after purchasing it in 2014.

WQRM’s programming is normally rebroadcast on W249CX/97.7, which transmits from the Duluth antenna farm. It was off the air briefly and has been carrying VCY from WEGZ/105.9 (Washburn, WI) in the interim.

This article was originally posted on August 8 and was updated on October 26.