WJBQ (97.9 FM; Q97 dot 9) is a radio station in Portland, Maine, United States, which airs a CHR/Top 40 format. It transmits its signal from Gray, Maine, which can be heard throughout Southwestern Maine, and into portions of adjacent New Hampshire. Initial history In June 1960, the station first signed on as WLOB-FM, simulcast with co-owned 1310 WLOB. Over time, WLOB-AM-FM became Portland's highest-rated Top 40 radio stations, although in those days, few people had FM radios and most were listening to 1310 WLOB. WLOB AM and -FM were sold to Portland Broadcasting Corporation on March 3, 1965. The AM and FM simulcast ended on March 1, 1971 when the two stations were acquired by separate companies. WLOB (AM) went to Aurovideo Incorporated while still maintaining a Top 40 format. Meanwhile, WLOB-FM went to Dirigo Communications Incorporation, changing call letters to WDCS-FM and switching to a classical music format. WJBQ history WJBQ debuted on July 15, 1974, as a 3,000-watt Top 40 station at 106.3 FM licensed to Scarborough, Maine, just outside Portland. It was simulcast with 1440 AM in nearby Westbrook, Maine. The main competition for WJBQ-AM-FM was then Top 40 station 1310 AM WLOB, which was one of the highest rated Contemporary Hits stations in the country for a market the size of Portland. In its first Arbitron ratings, WJBQ-AM-FM edged WLOB by about three points. As the audience shifted to FM from AM, it meant a gradual decline for WLOB. WLOB's demise took a while, probably because it had the backing of legendary consultant Paul Drew protege Ron Foster and others. Meanwhile, WJBQ was staffed by Wally Brine doing mornings (later at WROR-FM in Boston, now retired), Joe McMillan in middays (who went on to WHDH (now WEEI) in Boston and KABL in San Francisco), and Jeff Ryder in the afternoon slot (also the station's program director, who went on to WBBF-Rochester, New York and WOKY-Milwaukee). By 1977, WLOB had changed formats to an older-targeted Adult Contemporary format. In September 1980, WJBQ's owner John Bride swapped frequencies and formats with Portland classical music station WDCS on 97.9 FM. This would make WJBQ a full-power 50,000-watt facility, with the lower-rated classical programming moving to the 3,000-watt signal at 106.3. The move proved to be profitable for WJBQ. High-profile names like Andy Carey, Brian Phoenix, and Harry Nelson took turns as the station's program directors, and brought it