KPUL
 |
|
| City | Winterset, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | |
| Branding | Pulse 101.7 |
| Frequency | 101.7 MHz |
| First air date | June 1, 1992 |
| Format | Christian CHR (Top 40) |
| ERP | 6,000 watts |
| HAAT | 100.0 meters |
| Class | A |
| Facility ID | 19792 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 41°24′2.00″N 93°54′58.00″W / 41.4005556°N 93.9161111°W |
| Callsign meaning | KPULse |
| Former callsigns | KTDG (1990-1992) KBBM (1992-1994) KZZQ (1994-2008) |
| Former frequencies | 99.5 MHz (1993-2015) |
| Owner | Positive Impact Media, Inc. |
| Website | pulse1017.com |
KPUL is a Christian CHR (Top 40) formatted radio station that broadcasts at 101.7 MHz licensed to Winterset, Iowa, with studios located in Waukee. It is notable for being one of a very few independent stations left in the Des Moines market.
The FCC issued a construction permit for station KTDG on May 7, 1990. The station was not put on the air though until June 1, 1992 as KBBM. The station had no locally produced content and had 24-hour news feeds from CNN Headline News and CNNfn, positioning itself as "Des Moines Business Station". The format was never a ratings winner and would only last for a little over a year before being sold.
In March 1993 the station was purchased by Positive Impact Media Inc., a non profit group. The station's initial purpose was to rebroadcast the programming of a CCM station in the Quad Cities but within a few months found themselves in need of their own programming due to the failure of the Quad Cities station. Shortly after they changed the format to CCM (Christian CHR) and rebranded the station Q99.5 KZZQ, or "The Q". They were the first station to bring CCM to Des Moines, and were quite successful in attracting listeners and receiving support through donations and advertising throughout their first decade.
In 2004, they had competition for the first time as Northwestern College purchased two local stations, Life 107.1 and Life 96.1 and programmed them with CCM (Christian AC). Although they also suffer from weak signals, Life 107.1, coupled with Life 96.1 cover much of the market. This was something KZZQ struggles to do with its lower power (6,000 watts) and a transmitter located North of Winterset, Iowa Southwest of Des Moines. Due to increased competition from Life 107,other stations entering the market, and staff turnover, listenership continued to decline and it became apparent a change was required.
...
Wikipedia