A very tall AM and FM transmitter tower southeast of Mobridge SD on the US 12 caught our eye with its 10-bay "rototiller" FM array, as we made our way into town. And yes, that is the term for this kind of array: (
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Blasterz appreciate that the transmitter house was visible from the US12, and painted very brightly with the names and frequencies of the stations. Paint job needs an update, though - the KOLY-AM low power FM translator also broadcasts from here.
From radio-locator.com: (
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"KOLY-AM 1300 kHz
Mobridge, South Dakota
"The Lite"
Station Format: Adult Contemporary
Website:
(
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Audio Feed:
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Station Owner:
James River Broadcasting Company
Station Address:
118 E. 3rd Street
Mobridge, SD 57601
KOLY-AM Technical Details:
Station Status Licensed Class B AM Station
Digital Status Analog only
Hours of Operation Unlimited
Antenna Mode Non-Directional - 1 Pattern
Daytime Power 5000 Watts
Nighttime Power 111 Watts
Number of Towers 1
Transmitter Location 45° 32' 07" N, 100° 20' 46" W
License Granted March 23 1992
License Expires April 01 2029
Last FCC Update June 03 2021
KOLY-AM also broadcasts its primary channel from this additional transmitter
K270CU 101.9 FM Mobridge, SD (250 watts)
From radio-locator.com, the entry for the KOLY-AM sister station: (
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KOLY-FM 99.5 MHz
Mobridge, South Dakota
"Star 99"
Station Format: Hot AC
Website: (
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Audio Feed: (
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Station Owner: James River Broadcasting Company
Station Address:
118 East Third Street
Mobridge, SD 57601
KOLY-FM Technical Details:
Station Status Licensed Class C1 FM Station
Digital Status Analog only
Effective Radiated Power 100,000 Watts
Height above Avg. Terrain 177 meters (581 feet)
Height above Ground Level 120 meters (394 feet)
Height above Sea Level 714 meters (2343 feet)
Antenna Pattern Non-Directional
Transmitter Location 45° 32' 07" N, 100° 20' 46" W
License Granted February 06 2014
License Expires April 01 2029
Last FCC Update June 03 2021"
The entry for the KOLY-AM low-power FM translator: (
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K270CU-FM 101.9 MH
Mobridge, South Dakota
"The Lite"
Parent Station Format: Adult Contemporary
Parent Website:
(
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Parent Audio Feed:
(
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Parent Station Address:
118 E. 3rd Street
Mobridge, SD 57601 Please Note: This address comes from the FCC's database and may not be up to date.
K270CU-FM Technical Details:
Station Status Licensed Class D FM Translator
Digital Status Analog only
Parent Station KOLY-AM
Effective Radiated Power 250 Watts
Height above Ground Level 76 meters (249 feet)
Height above Sea Level 669 meters (2195 feet)
Antenna Pattern Non-Directional
Transmitter Location 45° 31' 50" N, 100° 20' 31" W
License Granted May 06 2019
License Expires April 01 2029
Last FCC Update June 03 2021
James River Broadcasting has been the subject of a Federal Communications Commission cause of action in 2021 to suspend its licenses for all its radio stations for failing to keep records of the purchasers of political programming it aired during the 2020 US Presidential campaign, which is required so that opposing voices will be given an equal opportunity to state their beliefs on air.
The stations' owners admitted fault, and the FCC is allowing the stations to keep their licenses, as long as each station starts complying with the rule. See: (
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Blasterz are glad we didn't tune in. We have a feeling that the dominant political viewpoint of this station does not align with our values, morals, and ethics.