Lang
6/13/25
Representatives with the University of Iowa’s student-run radio station are expressing concern over a nearby radio station applying for a stronger signal.
89.5 KMHV in Kalona, which bills itself as “Mary’s Holy Voice”, has applied to the Federal Communications Commission to increase its power from 5.5 kW to 8.2 kW. It would also switch to a directional antenna and a taller tower that would add rimshot coverage to southwest Iowa City. A coverage map from the FCC shows the new proposed signal reaching areas of Iowa City south of Melrose Avenue.
KMHV’s signal is adjacent to 89.7 FM, which is the frequency of the UI’s student-run KRUI in the Iowa Memorial Union. It is unknown how the stronger signal might affect KRUI’s signal in the areas where the signals cross over.
A member of the board of directors of Student Broadcasters Incorporated, which owns the broadcast license for KRUI, told KCJJ they were unaware of the Kalona station’s request and they plan to pass the information on to the rest of the board to consider what action to take next.