KCHA (AM)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
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| Broadcast area | Charles City, Iowa, Floyd County, IA |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1580 kHz |
| Branding | Fabulous 1580 & 103.3 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Oldies |
| Affiliations | CBS News Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KCFI, KCHA-FM, KCZE, KLKK, KSMA-FM, KIOW, KHAM, KCVM, KCNZ, KMCH-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | December 13, 1949 |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 41102 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 500 watts day 10 watts night |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°03′05″N 92°40′00″W / 43.05139°N 92.66667°W |
| Translator(s) | 103.3 K277DM (Charles City) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kchaam.com |
KCHA (1580 kHz) is an oldies formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Charles City, Iowa, serving Charles City & Floyd County as well as North Central and North Eastern Iowa. KCHA is owned and operated by North Iowa Broadcasting, LLC. It was first licensed on December 13, 1949.
Deadly Tornado[edit]
KCHA was noted for its role during the May 15, 1968 tornado that tore through Charles City, destroying over half the town and killing 13 residents and injuring hundreds. One of the largest twisters ever recorded in the state, the storm destroyed much of the downtown – 256 businesses and 1,250 homes. KCHA was warning people of the incoming storm when the tornado struck.[1] After power was knocked out, station personnel installed an emergency generator at the transmitter site on Stony Point Road and was back on the air later that evening.
Transmission Location[edit]
The KCHA transmitter is located on Stony Point Road in Charles City, right off Business 218 near K-Mart.
Programming[edit]
The station broadcasts an oldies format.
KCHA also produces a special themed weekend on the weekends.
Broadcast Signal[edit]
The KCHA signal stretches from Forest City to West Union and Austin, Minnesota south to Waterloo during the day. At night, the signal covers Floyd County, IA.
References[edit]
- ^ "A moment frozen in time: Forty years later, residents still vividly remember the day Charles City was nearly blown away", Charles City Press, May 15, 2008.
External links[edit]
- Fabulous 1580 & 103.3 Online
- KCHA in the FCC AM station database
- KCHA in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- K277DM in the FCC FM station database
- K277DM at FCCdata.org
- FCC History Cards for KCHA[permanent dead link]