A community radio station in Northfield, Minn., is looking to give its broadcast tower some much-needed TLC after 56 years of operation.
KYMN(AM) has created a GoFundMe page to fix its 300-foot tower, which has fallen into disrepair, according to the station.
Heard on 1080 kHz since 1968, the Class D station broadcasts a 1 kW non-directional signal during the day and 10-watt signal at night. Its FM translator K236CO can be heard on 95.1 MHz. The station is branded as “95.1 The One.”
On its GoFundMe page, KYMN Owner Rich Larson said, “Not only have we been with you for 56 years, but a lot of our equipment has been, too. Our 300’ tower, the thing that makes it possible for us to talk to you, is in bad shape.
“Without getting too deep into the technical terms, the tension wires that hold the tower up need to be replaced, and that’s not cheap. Sixty years is a long time, and those wires are just plain just plain worn out,” he said on the fundraising page.
According to a CBS story, last year, one of the tower’s tension cables snapped. Larson soon learned that all of the original cables needed to be replaced — ideally before thunderstorm season. Larson told CBS that the tower, which stands in the middle of an open field, gets hit by lightning on a regular basis.
As of Tuesday afternoon, KYMN has raised $13,000 of its $35,000 goal — an impressive feat considering the station held its official fundraiser launch at a local brewery just one day prior, on March 10.
Larson said: “Your support will ensure that KYMN Radio will continue to stand — literally, in the case of our tower — as Northfield’s hub for communication, information and entertainment.
“For 56 years, we have been a friend you can count on,” he continued. “This is your chance to help ensure we will be here to serve the community for your kids, your grandkids and all the good people of Northfield for decades to come.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Per the 2020 Census, Northfield has population of 20,790. With the launch of its FM signal in 2016, KYMN also serves the surrounding communities of Cannon Falls, Nerstrand, Faribault and Lonsdale, according to its website.
