KWMT
 | |
| City | Fort Dodge, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Iowa Northern Missouri Eastern Nebraska |
| Frequency | 540 kHz |
| Branding | AM 540 KWMT |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic Country |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Alpha Media |
| History | |
First air date | 1956 |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 35891 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 5,000 watts (day) 170 watts (night) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | yourfortdodge.com |
KWMT (540 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The station is owned by Alpha Media and it has a classic country radio format with news, sports and farm information features. KWMT's slogan is "True Country.". Its radio studios and offices are with sister station 94.5 KKEZ on North 10th Street in Fort Dodge. KWMT was previously co-owned with WMT 600 AM in Cedar Rapids. KWMT's call sign represents WMT plus a K at the beginning.
KWMT broadcasts by day with a power of 5,000 watts. But 540 AM is a Canadian and Mexican clear-channel frequency. So to avoid interference, the power significantly drops to 170 watts at night. KWMT uses a directional antenna with a two-tower array. Much of its power heads south of Fort Dodge. KWMT limits its coverage to the north to protect Class A 540 CBK, a station in Saskatchewan, Canada. KWMT's transmitter is off U.S. Route 169 at Avenue G in Fort Dodge. It is located in an area of high ground conductivity, which makes the 540 signal audible in parts of Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.
Programming[]
In 2009, KWMT shifted its playlist to entirely classic country music, focusing largely on the 1960s through early 1990s. Some newer songs (mainly by neo-traditional country artists) recorded since the early 1990s have been retained. In addition, songs recorded by local and Midwest country artists that did not necessarily gain nationwide exposure are also featured.
Prior to the switch, the station mixed in current and recurrent hits with oldies throughout the day, and dedicated one hour each weekday to exclusively classic country. A six-hour block on Saturday mornings for the classics was also set aside. On Sunday mornings, KWMT mixes Christian-related programming with Southern gospel music, featuring recordings from both current and classic artists. This program is called "Country Sunday," with retro-styled cues used as bumpers.
KWMT reports local news, weather and sports. It also provides extensive agriculture-related programming, with farm markets, advertising from area auction barns throughout the day.
History[]
In April 1956, the station first signed on the air. It originally was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset to protect more powerful stations from interference. It later got nighttime authorization, using low power and a directional antenna.
Previous owner Three Eagles Communications purchased the stations from Clear Channel Communications in 2007.[1]
References[]
External links[]
- KWMT official website
- Three Eagles Communications
- KWMT in the FCC AM station database
- KWMT on Radio-Locator
- KWMT in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
Coordinates: 42°29′45″N 94°12′33″W / 42.49583°N 94.20917°W
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- Radio stations in Iowa
- Country radio stations in the United States
- Fort Dodge, Iowa
- Radio stations established in 1964
- 1956 establishments in Iowa
- Iowa radio station stubs