Iowa Public Radio signal coming in just fine

March 25, 2008 12:15 am

— Thank you, Wapello County Supervisors. Classical music now comes in loud and clear on our own Iowa Public Radio station — KUNZ 91.1 FM. It’s been a long time coming.
Our supervisors led the charge to get the signal down to our corner of the state.
It’s not that IPR didn’t want us to listen to their music. IPR applied for the Ottumwa licenses back in the 1990s. But, there were challenges along the way, from competing signals to antenna problems and funding.
We like our Ottumwa-based radio stations, and we need them.
But, they don’t play the kind of music that some of us crave — classical tunes, nonstop.
If you lived in some areas of town, you could receive the Iowa City signal, but lately, that signal has been getting iffy. And if you were driving downtown, forget it.
Now, though, the new station is coming in just fine.
KUNZ launched on Friday with a celebration at Bridge View Center. IPR executive directory Cindy Browne praised area supporters who have pushed getting a signal here for years. “People have a very close relationship with their public radio station,” she told Courier reporter Matt Milner.
Two IPR stations are planned to reach Ottumwa area audiences. The other station coming on line later this year will be KDWI 89.1 FM. A lot of listeners can’t wait for that one, either, since it offers a variety of informative and in-depth news programs.
Bringing the new signals to Ottumwa area listeners made Supervisor Steve Siegel so happy he declared last Friday as “Iowa Public Radio Day” in Wapello County which the Bridge View event celebrated.
We’re celebrating, too, with the addition of the one station and expectations for the second one to come on line.
Good work to all who made it happen.