| Broadcast area | Columbia Gorge |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1440kHz |
| Branding | KODL FM 100.5 & 99.1 AM 1440 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic country |
| Affiliations | Westwood One,CBS News |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Larson-Wynn, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | October1940 (at 1230) |
Former call signs | KODL (1940–1973) KGLX (1973–1974) |
Former frequencies | 1230 kHz (1940–1955) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 36629 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 5,000watts (day) 1,000 watts (night) |
Transmitter coordinates | 45°35′31″N121°11′57″W / 45.59194°N 121.19917°W /45.59194; -121.19917 |
| Translator(s) | 99.1 K256AC (The Dalles) 100.7MHz K264DF (The Dalles) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kodl.com |
KODL (1440AM) is aradio stationlicensed to serveThe Dalles, Oregon, United States. The station, which began broadcasting in October 1940, is currently owned by Larson-Wynn, Inc.
The station was assigned the KODLcall sign by theFederal Communications Commission (FCC).[2]
KODL broadcasts aclassic country music format featuring the "Classic Country" satellite-fed programming service fromWestwood One.[3] In addition to its usual music programming, KODL airs hourly newscasts fromCBS News, a one-hour block of news each weekday morning, a dailytradio program called "The KODL Trading Post",Dave Ramsey'sDaily Money Makeover, the "KODL Coffee Break" dailytalk show, a one-hour noon newscast, the Northwest Regional edition ofThe Lars Larson Show,[4] and one hour of news each weekday evening with a mix of local and national programming.[5]
KODL also airsOregon State Beavers football[6] andSeattle Seahawks[7] games.
Western Radio Corporation's KODL began broadcasting in October 1940, although sources differ on whether these broadcasts began on October 12, October 19, or October 20th.[8][9][10] The station originally broadcast on a frequency of 1230kHz with 250watts of power during the day and 100 watts at night. KODL originally aired a mix of recorded and live popular music, including a number of local musical talents.[10] The station changed broadcast frequencies to 1440 kHz and was allowed to increase its signal strength to 1,000 watts, day and night, beginning in 1955.[11]
KODL's founder and Western Radio Corporation owner, V. Barney Kenworthy, sold the station to the Sterling Recreation Organization in September 1967.[12][13][14] The Seattle-based SRO immediately flipped KODL's format torock music.[12][14] In late 1973, Sterling owner Fredric A. Danz had the station'scall sign changed to KGLX and flipped the format to a "contemporary gold" music mix.[15]
The station was acquired by Larson-Wynn, Inc., on September 1, 1974. The new owners immediately restored the historic KODL call sign and began broadcasting a mix of rock andmiddle of the road music.[8] In the late 1970s, KODL received permission from the FCC to increase its daytime signal strength to 5,000 watts while maintaining its 1,000 watt signal at night.[8] By 1979, KODL would be playing a pure MOR format[8] but in 1982, in the wake ofUrban Cowboy and the sudden growth incountry music, KODL switched to a country music format.[10]
From 1940 to 1999, KODL broadcast from a studio building and tower located on west Scenic Drive.[9] Since 1999, KODL's studios have been located in downtown The Dalles.[16] In 2000, KODL switched musical formats to a satellite-deliveredadult standards andnostalgia format branded as "America's Best Music".[10]
Paul E. Walden worked at KODL for 27 years, more than 20 of them as station manager, and served as the president of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters from 1954 to 1956.[17][18] He later purchasedKIHR inHood River, Oregon, and establishedKCGB-FM, during his 48-year career in broadcasting as an announcer, manager, and engineer.[17] Walden also served three terms as a member of theOregon House of Representatives in the 1970s.[17]
