KCHU

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For the airport in Caledonia, Minnesota assigned the ICAO code KCHU, see Houston County Airport (Minnesota).

KCHU
Broadcast areaChugach Census Area,
Copper River Census Area
Frequency91.3 MHz
BrandingKCHU
Programming
FormatPublic Radio
AffiliationsNPR, Public Radio International
Ownership
OwnerTerminal Radio, Inc.
KXKM, KXGA
History
First air date
August 2, 1986
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID65232
ClassA (Clear channel)
Power1,000 watts
Repeaters88.1 MHz, 88.3 MHz
(HD Radio)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteKCHU website

KCHU (91.3 FM) is a non-commercial radio station in Valdez, Alaska, United States. Through its main transmitter, two full-service FM stations, and four translators, the station covers an area the size of the state of Ohio, but with a population just over 10,000.[2][3]

Overview

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KCHU airs a range of public radio programming from the National Public Radio and Public Radio International networks, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, The World, Democracy Now, Fresh Air, American Routes, Beale Street, and World Cafe. It also broadcasts local and state news and public affairs programs, as well as music programs hosted by community volunteers.[2]

KCHU broadcast at 770 AM for nearly 40 years. In 2025, after experiencing ground erosion that threatened its main tower, the station moved to 91.3 FM with the installation of a new tower and transmitter. KCHU is repeated on KXKM 89.7 FM in McCarthy and KXGA 90.5 FM in Glennallen. It is also relayed by four low-power translators to widen its broadcasting area.[2][3]

Original KCHU, 1975-77

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The KCHU callsign was assigned earlier to a community radio station licensed to Dallas, Texas in the mid-late 1970s. The station was started by Dennis Gross and Lorenzo Milam, who had previously worked together at a pioneer community station, KDNA, in St. Louis. KCHU signed on at 90.9 FM on September 1, 1975, broadcasting an eclectic mix of music and public affairs programs. Beleaguered by debt and political infighting, the station signed off exactly two years later.[4][5]

KCHU Television

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The KCHU call letters were originally used on a television station licensed to San Bernardino, in Southern California, which operated on channel 18 from March 6, 1962, until June 25, 1964.[6]

Stations

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In addition to its main frequency, KCHU broadcasts on the following repeater and translator stations:

Full-power repeater stations

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KXGA 90.5 FM FM Glennallen, Alaska 65235 3,200 229 m (751 ft) C3 LMS
KXKM 89.7 FM FM McCarthy, Alaska 65236 180 −378 m (−1,240 ft) A LMS

Translator stations

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class FCC info
K201BI 88.1 FM Cordova, Alaska 65233 23 D LMS
K201CH 88.1 FM Chenega Bay, Alaska 65234 21 D LMS
K201CL 88.1 FM Tatitlek, Alaska 65237 23 D LMS
K202BT 88.3 FM Whittier, Alaska 65231 50 D LMS

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KCHU". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b c "Station Profile". KCHU website. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Radio Analysis for Alaska". Public Telecommunications Funding Program. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  4. ^ Lorenzo, Milam (1986). The Radio Papers: From KRAB to KCHU (PDF). San Diego, California: MHO & MHO Works. pp. 105–116. ISBN 9780917320187. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Walker, Jesse (2001). Rebels on the Air: An Alternative History of Radio in America. New York, NY: New York University Press. pp. 109, 133. ISBN 0-8147-9381-9. Retrieved February 15, 2019. kchu.
  6. ^ Richards, K.M. "The History of UHF Television: KCHU/18, San Bernardino CA". Retrieved May 5, 2019.
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61°06′40″N 146°15′39″W / 61.11111°N 146.26083°W / 61.11111; -146.26083


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