KWAL

KWAL-AM
City Wallace, Idaho
Broadcast area Silver Valley
Slogan Silver Dollar Radio
Frequency 620 kHz
First air date May 1938[1]
Format Country
Power 1,000 watts day and 250 watts night
Class B
Facility ID 41318
Transmitter coordinates 47°30′29.00″N 116°0′17.00″W / 47.5080556°N 116.0047222°W / 47.5080556; -116.0047222
Affiliations Westwood One
Owner Metals Broadcasting Co.

KWAL (620 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a country format to the Wallace, Idaho, United States, area. The station is currently owned by Metals Broadcasting Co. and features programming from Westwood One.[2] KWAL is unique because it is the only AM antenna array that has an interstate highway running through it.[3] The station broadcasts in C-QUAM AM stereo.[4]

On April 9, 2016, the north tower collapsed after a guy wire was struck by a truck. The station was granted authority to operate at 250 watts during nighttime hours using the south tower only, until the north tower can be rebuilt. This is expected to occur in the Spring of 2018[5][6]

History

In 1938 KWAL-AM filled the Silver Valley with air waves. In 1948, KWAL's frequency changed from 1450 kHz to 620 kHz, and its power increased from 250 W to 1 KW. At that time the station was a Mutual affiliate, licensed to Silver Broadcasting Company.[7]

Music Format

KWAL is renown for their Hot New Country & Your All Time Favorites. Music is played 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They’re affiliated with Westwood One, who supplies them with music via satellite.

News Format

KWAL broadcasts KWAL National News at the top of the hour. 5 minutes later, it cuts into Local News, delivered by John Webb and Don McPeak. KWAL is affiliated with Westwood One News, which is delivered via satellite also.

Weather

KWAL puts out 2 weathercasts an hour. They play at the top of the hour, after the news, and then again at the bottom of the hour. KWAL cuts into their program with Emergency Weather Alerts, supplied by the National Weather Service.

Sports

KWAL provides coverage on football and basketball for the 3 local high schools in the Silver Valley (Wallace, Kellogg and Mullan High School). Live play-by-play action on all away and home games. They post a schedule of their sports coverage on their Facebook page, just search KWAL Radio News.

Winter Recreation

KWAL airs Local Ski Reports for the Lookout Pass Ski Area and Silver Mountain, home of the world’s longest/non-stopping gondola. These air when ski season is open at both ski hills.

Longevity

80+ years ago, KWAL Radio was the most listened to radio station in North Idaho. They take great pride in announcing that they still are!

Personnel

Paul Robinson - General Manager

Marje Robinson - Secretary/Billing

George White - Sales Manager

Don McPeak - Station Engineer

John Webb - News & Weather Anchor

Josh McDonald - Sports Anchor

Studio Phone: 1(208) 752-1141

Studio Fax: 1(208) 753-5111

Studio Email: kwalradio@suddenlinkmail.com

References

  1. ↑ KWAL Timeline, The History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. ↑ "KWAL Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ http://www.fybush.com/site-of-the-week-10262012-kwal-wallace-idaho/
  4. ↑ "AM CQuam Stereo - The Virtual Engineer - Broadcast Engineering Forums".
  5. ↑ "KWAL FCC Correspondence File".
  6. ↑ "KWAL FCC Correspondence File".
  7. ↑ "Power of KWAL Wallace Is Boosted to 1 kw" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 1, 1948. Retrieved 30 January 2015.


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