 | |
| Broadcast area | Atlanta metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 102.3MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | La Raza 102.3/107.1 |
| Programming | |
| Language | Spanish |
| Format | Regional Mexican |
| Subchannels | HD2:WVFJ-FMsimulcast (Contemporary Christian) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WCHK,WWWE,WNSY,WJZA | |
| History | |
First air date | January 1,1970 (as WGCO-FM) |
Former call signs | WGCO-FM (1970–1985) WLKQ (1985–1990) |
Call sign meaning | LaKe (former station branding) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 36350 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 4,200watts |
| HAAT | 119 meters (390 ft) |
| Translator(s) |
|
| Repeater(s) | |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | laraza1023.com |
WLKQ-FM (102.3MHz "La Raza 102.3/107.1") is acommercialradio stationlicensed toBuford, Georgia, and servingMetro Atlanta. It is owned by Davis Broadcasting and airs aRegional Mexicanradio format. The programming issimulcast on 107.1WTSH-FM inAragon.
WLKQ-FM has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 4,200watts. Itstransmitter is off Radio Park Drive in Buford, nearInterstate 985.[2] WLKQ-FM broadcasts in theHD Radio hybrid format. Its HD2 subchannel carries aChristian Contemporary music format known asThe JOY FM. Its programming is also heard onFM translator stationW223CQ at 92.5 MHz inLawrenceville.
On January 1, 1970, the station firstsigned on asWGCO.[3] It was owned by the Buford Broadcasting Company, along withAM 1460 WDYX (nowWXEM). The station aired a mix ofcountry music andChristian radio programming.
In 1985, Buford Broadcasting was acquired by the Joseph Family.[4] WCGO-FM'scall sign was changed toWLKQ-FM, using the moniker "Lake 102 FM." It began playing anoldies format, and with members of the Joseph Family serving in various roles, "Skipper Bob" was president and general sales manager, his wife Jackie as office manager, son Mark as general manager, and daughter Kathleen, known by her air name as "Kay Mackie."
During the 1990s, on-air personalities included Ron Lucas (Ron Lapann), a former tug boat captain, Rick Dennis, Mike Lindsey, Steve Nichols, Ron Ricks and Sue Ryder, who later became a traffic reporter for 750WSB using the air name Robin Reese. In its final years as an oldies station, personalities included Huey Lewis (McKeller), Vic Andrews (Cuvo), "Captain" Craig Kelley, Randy Robins, Karl Phillips and Rick Bagley (Ryan Bagnal). Lake 102 covered the high school game of the week announced by Mark Blumen. Sideline reports were by Jeff Taves. The radio station sales department was led by Al Garner, once the manager ofsoul music iconJames Brown. The radio station operated profitably for many years.
Eventually the Joseph Family was offered a large price to sell the station, to be targeted to the expanding Spanish-speaking population within the coverage area of the station's former 6,000-watt signal. In 2003, Davis Broadcasting paid $5.25 million to acquire WLKQ-FM.[5] The Oldies format ended in April 2004, as the station began broadcastingRegional Mexican music.
On September 24, 2018, WLKQ-FM begansimulcasting onWTSH-FM (107.1) inAragon, and rebranded as "La Raza 102.3/107.1".[6] Previously,WNSY (100.1 FM) inTalking Rock, had been WLKQ-FM's simulcast partner. (That station now simulcasts theSmooth Jazz format of co-ownedWWWE (1310 AM).)
34°07′16″N83°58′34″W / 34.121°N 83.976°W /34.121; -83.976