1580 AM KCHA Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Special Thanksgiving Weekend Programming

The year was 1949. Over seven decades later, 1580 AM KCHA is still going strong.

November 27th marked the station’s 75th anniversary, which was recognized recently with a plaque presented by the Charles City Chamber Ambassadors.

KCHA alum and historian David McCartney recounted the station’s beginning.

McCartney said another “first” for KCHA was spearheaded by former sports director Mike Lyman.

In November 1971, the KCHA family grew with the addition of an FM frequency. Originally at 104.9 FM, it was moved to 95.9 FM a few years later and has remained there since.

In November 2018, 103.3 FM was added as a companion to 1580 AM and now simulcasts Fab Oldies and coverage of Charles City High School sports, as well as UNI football and men’s basketball.

****It’s a flashback to the Hits of 1949, the year KCHA started.  Programming will start at 6pm Wednesday (11.27) and there will be hits sprinkled in every hour. Popular hits and Country music.  Also every night will be an hour of Old-Time Radio shows like Bing Crosby, Burns and Allen, Jack Benny, and many more surprises this weekend.