KSMR (FM)
| Winona, Minnesota United States | |
| Frequency | 92.5 MHz |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Format | Catholic talk and teaching |
| Network | Real Presence Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Real Presence Radio |
| History | |
| First air date | April 18, 1979 |
| Call sign meaning | Saint Mary's Radio, from when the station was owned by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
| Technical information[1] | |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 58590 |
| Class | D |
| ERP | 4 watts |
| HAAT | −43 meters (−141 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 44°2′47.00″N 91°41′43.00″W / 44.0463889°N 91.6952778°W |
| Translator | 94.3 K232CZ (Winona) |
| Links | |
| Website | realpresenceradio.com |
KSMR (92.5 FM) is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting a Catholic radio format licensed to Winona, Minnesota, United States. It is part of Real Presence Radio, a regional Catholic radio network based in Fargo, North Dakota. The station is relayed over low-power FM translator K232CZ (94.3 FM).
This station was built by Saint Mary's College (later Saint Mary's University). It began broadcasting in 1979 on 90.9 MHz and moved to 92.5 in 1983. Because of terrain, the 94.3 translator at Winona was built in 1997. Saint Mary's continued to own KSMR until it went off the air in 2019. It was gifted to Real Presence Radio the next year. KSMR's transmitter remains sited on the Saint Mary's campus.
History
Saint Mary's College had a student-run, non-broadcast radio station on campus dating to 1957. In 1976, the cable television system in Winona added the station to its lineup, expanding its reach outside the campus.[2] On September 13, 1977, Saint Mary's College received a construction permit for a new 10-watt, Class D radio station to broadcast on 90.9 MHz.[3] It went on the air April 18, 1979.[4]
In May 1983, the station moved to 92.5 MHz.[5] It switched to album-oriented rock in 1985 and moved from the basement of Heffron Hall to the college center that year.[6]
Because of the location of the 10-watt station, parts of Winona were shaded by bluffs and could not receive KSMR. In 1995, the station applied for a translator on 94.3 MHz to be located on the campus of the former College of Saint Teresa.[7] The application was granted, and K232CZ began broadcasting in 1997.[8]
Most of the music heard on KSMR (outside of specific programs) was in the rock, indie, and indie pop styles, and a growing number of top 40 music also played. In October 2013, KSMR updated its music library to play more top 40 music, along with 1980s, classic rock, and oldies music in an attempt to become the top variety station in Winona.[9]
A transmitter malfunction took KSMR silent in September 2019.[10] In June 2020, the university gifted KSMR and its translator to Real Presence Radio.[11]
Translator
KSMR's signal is relayed over the following low-power translator:
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | HAAT | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K232CZ | 94.3 FM | Winona, Minnesota | 77735 | 104 | −71 m (−233 ft) | D | 44°3′2″N 91°40′5″W / 44.05056°N 91.66806°W | LMS |
References
- Back to citation "Facility Technical Data for KSMR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- Back to citation "College radio station nears on-air status". The Winona Sunday News. March 4, 1979. pp. 1C, 2C. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation "History Cards for KSMR". Federal Communications Commission.
- Back to citation "College radio station goes 'on the air'". The Winona Sunday News. April 22, 1979. p. 5C. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation "KMSR to relicense and expand". The Winona Daily News. May 8, 1983. p. 5. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation Tuffy, Moira (January 7, 1985). "Radio KSMR: New music 92.5 FM fills valley airwaves". The Winona Daily News. pp. Campus Life 1, 2. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation "KSMR wants to boost radio signal". The Winona Daily News. September 7, 1995. p. 3A. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation Ellis, Jon (June 10, 2020). "St. Mary's of Winona Donates Radio Stations to Catholic Network". NorthPine. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Back to citation Todd, Kaeli (October 25, 2013). "KSMR Radio Gets a Whole New Feel". The Cardinal Online. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- Back to citation Jacobson, Adam (June 10, 2020). "Saint Mary's Makes A 'Real Presence' With These Gifts". Radio + Television Business Report.
- Back to citation Venta, Lance (June 12, 2020). "Station Sales Week Of 6/12". RadioInsight. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
External links
- Facility details for Facility ID 58590 (KSMR) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- KSMR in Nielsen Audio's FM station database