 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Des Moines metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 101.7MHz |
| Branding | Pulse 101.7 |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Christian contemporary hit radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Positive Impact Media, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | June 1, 1992 |
Former call signs |
|
Former frequencies | 99.5 MHz (1993–2015) |
Call sign meaning | "Pulse" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 19792 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 6,000 watts |
| HAAT | 100 meters (328 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°24′2.00″N93°54′58.00″W / 41.4005556°N 93.9161111°W /41.4005556; -93.9161111 |
| Translator(s) | 95.5 K238AN (Ames) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | pulse1017 |
KPUL (101.7 FM, "Pulse 101.7") is aChristian contemporary hit radioformattedradio station. It islicensed toWinterset, Iowa, with studios located on 335th Street inWaukee.[2] It is one of only a few independent stations in theDes Moines metropolitan arearadio market.
Thetransmitter is off Quail Ridge Lane in Winterset.[3] InAmes, the station can also be heard on 25watttranslator station K238AN at 95.5 MHz.
The FCC issued a construction permit for station KTDG on May 7, 1990. The station was not put on the air though until June 1, 1992, as KBBM. The station had no locally produced content. It used 24-hour news feeds fromCNN Headline News andCNNfn, positioning itself as "Des Moines Business Station".
The format was never a ratings winner and was only heard for a little over a year before KBBM was sold.
In March 1993, the station was purchased by Positive Impact Media Inc., a non profit group. The station's initial purpose was to rebroadcast the programming of acontemporary Christian music (CCM) station in theQuad Cities. But within a few months KBBM found itself in need of its own programming due to the failure of the Quad Cities station. On March 2, 1994, at noon, The station switched its format toChristian CHR and rebranded itself as Q99.5 KZZQ, or "The Q". It were the first station to bring Christian CHR to Des Moines, and was successful in attracting listeners and receiving support through donations and advertising throughout the first decade.
In 2004, KZZQ had competition for the first time as theUniversity of Northwestern – St. Paul purchased two local stations,KNWI Life 107.1 andKNWM Life 96.1. It programmed the stations withChristian AC. Although they also suffer from weak signals, together Life 107.1 and Life 96.1 cover much of the market. This was something KZZQ struggles to do with its lower power (6,000 watts) and a transmitter located southwest of Des Moines. Due to increased competition from Life 107 and other stations entering the market, and staff turnover, listenership continued to decline and it became apparent a change was required.
After several days ofstunting in February 2008, the station was re-branded KPUL "Pulse 99.5". The new format became an experimental mix of CCM andCHR–Pop in an effort to reach more people through a hybrid format. The new format proved to be a more aggressive change than listeners in the area were ready for.
After a few months under the new format, Pulse 99.5 re-adjusted its format to a mix of Christian CHR, rock, and positive mainstream hits.
On October 6, 2010, the station announced an "upgrade" involving changing its frequency to 101.7 FM and a rebranding to Pulse 101.7.[4] These upgrades involved other area radio stations (KTIA-FM andIPR).[5] TheFederal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the changes in the Fall of 2014.
The target date for the move to 101.7 FM was March 31, 2015, and after a delay due to weather, the tower upgrades were made on April 14. The station retained the same format that it most recently used as "Pulse 99.5". "Pulse 101.7" also retained the same coverage pattern as that of the former 99.5 range across Des Moines and south Central Iowa.
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K238AN | 95.5[note 1] FM | Ames, Iowa | 148032 | 25 | D | LMS |