KCHU

For the airport in Caledonia, Minnesota assigned the ICAO code KCHU, see Houston County Airport (Minnesota).

KCHU (91.3 FM) is a non-commercial radio station in Valdez, Alaska, United States. Through its main transmitter, two full-service FM stations, and four translators, the station covers an area the size of the state of Ohio, but with a population just over 10,000.^[2][3]

KCHU

Valdez, Alaska
Broadcast area	Chugach Census Area, Copper River Census Area
Frequency	91.3 MHz
Branding	KCHU
Programming
Format	Public Radio
Affiliations	NPR, Public Radio International
Ownership
Owner	Terminal Radio, Inc.
Sister stations	KXKM, KXGA
History
First air date	August 2, 1986
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	65232
Class	A (Clear channel)
Power	1,000 watts
Repeaters	88.1 MHz, 88.3 MHz (HD Radio)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	KCHU website

Overview

KCHU airs a range of public radio programming from the National Public Radio and Public Radio International networks, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, The World, Democracy Now, Fresh Air, American Routes, Beale Street, and World Cafe. It also broadcasts local and state news and public affairs programs, as well as music programs hosted by community volunteers.^[2]

KCHU broadcast at 770 AM for nearly 40 years. In 2025, after experiencing ground erosion that threatened its main tower, the station moved to 91.3 FM with the installation of a new tower and transmitter. KCHU is repeated on KXKM 89.7 FM in McCarthy and KXGA 90.5 FM in Glennallen. It is also relayed by four low-power translators to widen its broadcasting area.^[2][3]

Original KCHU, 1975-77

The KCHU callsign was assigned earlier to a community radio station licensed to Dallas, Texas in the mid-late 1970s. The station was started by Dennis Gross and Lorenzo Milam, who had previously worked together at a pioneer community station, KDNA, in St. Louis. KCHU signed on at 90.9 FM on September 1, 1975, broadcasting an eclectic mix of music and public affairs programs. Beleaguered by debt and political infighting, the station signed off exactly two years later.^[4][5]

KCHU Television

The KCHU call letters were originally used on a television station licensed to San Bernardino, in Southern California, which operated on channel 18 from March 6, 1962, until June 25, 1964.^[6]

Stations

In addition to its main frequency, KCHU broadcasts on the following repeater and translator stations:

Full-power repeater stations

Call sign	Frequency	City of license	FID	ERP (W)	HAAT	Class	FCC info
KXGA	90.5 FM FM	Glennallen, Alaska	65235	3,200	229 m (751 ft)	C3	LMS
KXKM	89.7 FM FM	McCarthy, Alaska	65236	180	−378 m (−1,240 ft)	A	LMS

Translator stations

Call sign	Frequency	City of license	FID	ERP (W)	Class	FCC info
K201BI	88.1 FM	Cordova, Alaska	65233	23	D	LMS
K201CH	88.1 FM	Chenega Bay, Alaska	65234	21	D	LMS
K201CL	88.1 FM	Tatitlek, Alaska	65237	23	D	LMS
K202BT	88.3 FM	Whittier, Alaska	65231	50	D	LMS