KHCM

Infobox Radio Station
name = KHCM AM & FM


area = Honolulu, Hawaii
branding = "Hawaii's Country"
slogan = Same as branding
airdate = AM: 1930s; FM: 1970s
frequency = AM: 870 (kHz)
FM: 97.5 (MHz)
format = Country
power = AM: 2,000 watts
erp = FM: 80,000 watts
class = AM: B
FM: C1
owner = Salem Communications
website = [http://www.hawaiiscountrymusic.com Station Website]
callsign_meaning = Hawaii's Country Music
sister_stations = KAIM, KGMZ, KGU, KHUI, KHNR

KHCM is a Country music radio station simulcast serving Honolulu, Hawaii. The Salem Communications outlet broadcasts at 870 kHz with a power level of 2 kW and at 97.5 MHz with an ERP of 80 kW.

History

KHCM-AM's history can be traced back its days as KAIM-AM, whose previous format was Religious programming. When Salem bought the station in 2000, it wanted to sign the station off the air so it can allow its sister station in Los Angeles, California, to increase its signal coverage. At the last minute they decided to reduce the station's power and let the station stay on the air.

KHCM-FM's heritage traces back to the 1970s when it signed on as KHSS, but would change its calls to KDUK in 1979. By 1983 they would flip formats to Active Rock and call letters to KPOI. But by 1993 KPOI would evolve to Modern rock as "97.5 The Edge," only to change its moniker back to 97-5 K-POI with the positioning slogan:"The Rock You Live On." In 2004 Salem bought the station and dropped the format, giving Hawaii its first FM News/Talk station. KAIM-AM became its simulcast after the switch was made.

KHCM's country origins began in 2002 at 940 AM, which had once been home of the market's original Country AM, KDEO. In 2005 KHCM switched signals to 1180. In 2006 Salem and KORL's owners swapped signals, and in the process moved the KHCM calls and Country format over to the 690 from the 1180 frequency, which in turn became the new home for KORL. On Sept. 3, 2007 KHCM switched from 690 AM to both 870 AM to 97.5 FM, keeping its country music format. The former News/Talk format and KHNR calls moved to 690AM.

External links

* [http://www.hawaiiscountrymusic.com KHCM official website]
*AMQ|KHCM
*AML|KHCM
*FMQ|KHCM
*FML|KHCM