WLMS-FM 88.3 Lecanto

WLMS-FM 88.3
Lecanto

Original Call Letters: WZQF

Originally Licensed: 1992

Original City of License: Lecanto

Original Frequency: 88.3

Origin of Call Letters:

Original Power: 4,100 watts

Original Location:

Original Format: Religious/Catholic Radio

Network Affiliation(s):

Catholic Radio

Owner(s):	1992-Diocese of Saint Petersburg
	2008-Central Florida Educational Foundation ($2 Million)

History Of Call Letters and Formats:	WZQF-1991-Construction Permit
	WDSP-1992-Construction Permit
	WLMS-1992-Religious/Catholic Radio
	WLMS-2008-Religious/Catholic Radio
	WLMS-2008-License Cancelled/Calls Deleted

History of WLMS
Thanks to Marc Tyll for this history of WLMS.
After many years of planning, non commercial radio station WLMS-FM 88.3 began broadcasting regular Catholic programming to Citrus County and the surrounding area in an effort to fill a previously unfilled void in the market. The year was 1992 when WLMS-FM went on the air for the first time with its 4,100 watts operating on 88.3Mhz. Although licensed as a full power radio station, WLMS was conceived, planned and implemented with the idea of being a relay station for WBVM Tampa. The Bishop of the Diocese-Saint Petersburg had determined there was a need for a Catholic programmed radio station in the Beverly Hills, Inverness, Crystal River and surrounding areas. WLMS covers all of Citrus and parts of Sumter and Hernando Counties. Six years earlier, the Diocese had constructed and placed on the air 100,000 watt WBVM-FM 90.5 (Blessed Virgin Mary) Tampa in 1986. Although WBVM saturated the Tampa Bay area with its superior signal, it lacked coverage in the prime Citrus County area. WLMS made it possible for WBVM to extend its coverage and Catholic programming beyond Tampa Bay into areas where WBVM could not be heard. Additionally, although most programming on WLMS originates from WBVM, some local news, public affairs and local emergency information originates from WLMS. On Saturday evenings, via WBVM, in an effort to reach the area’s youth, WLMS programs Contemporary Hit and Dance music. During the rest of the week, Catholic teachings, music, news, sports and public affairs programming are a big part of the WLMS broadcast day.
9-13-08 The St. Petersburg Diocese announced it is selling WLMS. With the closing of the station all of Citrus County and a portion of Hernando county will no longer hear Spirit FM 90.5 which was simulcast through WLMS. The diocese has owned the station for 17 years. Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc offered the diocese $2-million for the station. Central Florida Educational Foundation owns and operates WPOZ-FM 88.3, WQQZ-FM 88.7, WWIA-FM 88.5, WWKG-FM 88.7 and WMYZ-FM 88.7.
Dec. 2008-WLMS, Lecanto, is no more. The license was surrendered and canceled by the FCC with the power increase of WPOZ-FM 88.3. All trace is gone of the facilities and call letters in the FCC database.