KCNZ (AM)

Coordinates: 42°24′47″N 92°26′15″W / 42.41306°N 92.43750°W / 42.41306; -92.43750
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KCNZ
Broadcast areaWaterloo, Iowa
Frequency1650 kHz
Branding1650 & 102.3 The Fan
Programming
FormatSports radio
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
  • James Coloff
  • (Coloff Media, LLC)
History
First air date
November 20, 1998; 25 years ago (1998-11-20)
Former call signs
KDNZ (1998–2004)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID87158
ClassB
Power
  • 10,000 watts (day)
  • 1,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
42°24′47″N 92°26′15″W / 42.41306°N 92.43750°W / 42.41306; -92.43750
Translator(s)102.3 K272GA (Waterloo)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Website1650thefan.com

KCNZ (1650 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to serve the community of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The station primarily broadcasts a sports radio format. KCNZ is owned by James Coloff, through licensee Coloff Media, LLC, and is an affiliate of Fox Sports Radio. KCNZ carries The Dan Patrick Show and The Jim Rome Show. Play by play on the station includes the Chicago Cubs, Iowa State University football and basketball, the NFL from Westwood One, Waterloo Black Hawks hockey, Waterloo Bucks baseball, and Cedar Falls High School football and basketball. In the event of scheduling conflicts, some events are moved to sister station KCFI.

History[edit]

KCNZ originated as the expanded band "twin" of an existing station on the standard AM band. On March 17, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that eighty-eight stations had been given permission to move to newly available "Expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz, with KCNZ (now KCFI) in Cedar Rapids authorized to move from 1250 to 1650 kHz.[2]

A construction permit for the new station on 1650 kHz, also located in Cedar Falls, was issued the call sign KDNZ on August 3, 1998.[3] The FCC's initial policy was that both the original station and its expanded band counterpart could operate simultaneously for up to five years, after which owners would have to turn in one of the two licenses, depending on whether they preferred the new assignment or elected to remain on the original frequency.[2] However, this deadline has been extended multiple times, and both stations have remained authorized. One restriction is that the FCC has generally required paired original and expanded band stations to remain under common ownership.[4][5]

On March 31, 2004, the two stations swapped callsign, with KCNZ moving from 1250 AM to 1650 AM, and KDNZ transferred to 1250 AM from 1650 AM. On May 24, 2012, 1250 AM went back to its original call sign of KCFI.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KCNZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations" (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997. This notice lists the KCNZ under its earlier (and later) call sign of KCFI.
  3. ^ FCC Call Sign History for 1650 AM (Facility ID: 87158)
  4. ^ "In re: WHLY(AM), South Bend, Indiana" (FCC DA 13-600, released April 3, 2013)
  5. ^ "Re: WDDD (AM) Application for Consent to Assignment of AM Broadcast Station License" (August 23, 2010 correspondence from Peter H. Doyle, Chief, FCC Audio Division, Media Bureau. Reference Number 1800B3-TSN)

External links[edit]