Iowa Public Radio is buying a Des Moines FM translator that recently moved to a new frequency, giving it a third strong signal in the capital city.
The deal filed with the FCC on Feb. 7 calls for IPR to buy K231DI/94.1 (Des Moines) from Youngers Colorado Broadcasting for $100,000. K231DI was formerly K295CB/106.9, which had relayed KXLQ/1490 (Indianola).
The asset purchase agreement indicates K231DI is now relaying WOI-FM/90.1 (Ames), which carries IPR’s News and Studio One service.
WOI-FM is the network’s large FM signal in central Iowa. IPR also has a half-dozen smaller FM signals in the region carrying its 24-hour Classical service, including K249EJ/97.7 (Des Moines), while WOI/640 (Ames) carries 24-hour news.
K231DI transmits with 119 Watts from the northeastern part of Des Moines, overlapping with K249EJ’s more centrally-located 250-Watt signal.
Long-term programming plans for K231DI have not been announced.