Wennes Communications Stations launches new station in Waukon area

Wennes Communications Inc. has received a grant from the Federal Communications Commission to add an FM Translator station to its present AM station in Waukon.

The AM station founded by Ralph Sweeney in 1967 was originally operated as KNEI on 1140 AM at Broadcast Park north of Waukon for a number of years. Recently, the station has served the public interest as KFXE on an FCC assigned frequency of 1160 AM. In later years members of the FCC became more and more aware of the need for AM radio stations to provide better signal service to coverage area.

For some years AM stereo was attempted but did not prove to be successful. Some AM stations were provided the opportunity to research translator frequencies and learn if an FM translator station could be found to fit in the same coverage area as their AM station.

"Through the talented skills and efforts of KNEI program director Josh Blake, a frequency search was made, one was found to fit and was applied for this past January," said Greg Wennes, CEO of Wennes Communications.

A grant was obtained and construction completed last week. As of Monday April 11, an FM Translator radio station begins rebroadcasting the 1160 AM programming on 99.1 FM. 1160 AM call letters are now KMRV as a symbol for the Mississippi River, which is the theme for the new station. The "River 99" will serve Allamakee County and portions of neighboring counties with a 24/7 musical format featuring a mix of Rock and Roll Oldies with Pop Standards and new lite soft rock artists.