KCHA FM 103.3

An AM radio station at 1580 kHz with an FM translator at 103.3, KCHA is licensed to Charles City, Iowa, and serves Charles City, Floyd County, and portions of north-central and northeastern Iowa. The station is owned and operated by North Iowa Broadcasting, LLC and was first licensed on December 13, 1949. Programming follows an oldies format, supplemented by special themed weekend programming. KCHA holds a notable place in the regional historical record for its role during the tornado of May 15, 1968, one of the largest twisters ever documented in Iowa. The storm tore through Charles City, destroying more than half the town, killing 13 residents, injuring hundreds, and leveling 256 businesses and 1,250 homes. Station personnel were broadcasting warnings when the tornado struck and knocked out power. They subsequently installed an emergency generator at the transmitter site on Stony Point Road and resumed broadcasting later that same evening. The station's daytime signal reaches from Forest City to West Union and into Austin, Minnesota, and south to Waterloo. At night, the coverage area contracts to Floyd County. The transmitter is located on Stony Point Road in Charles City. KCHA also produces a regular news podcast covering local and regional stories across north Iowa and the surrounding counties.