KJCR (1240 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to Billings, Montana, United States. The station is currently owned by Agnus Dei Communications.[2]

KJCR
Broadcast areaBillings Metropolitan Area
Frequency1240 kHz
Programming
FormatCatholic talk radio
AffiliationsEWTN Radio
Ownership
OwnerAgnus Dei Communications
History
First air date
October 17, 1946
Former call signs
KBMY
KZBO (1989–1990)
KUUS (1990–1993)
KMAY (1993–1997)
KMZK (1997–2011)
Call sign meaning
Jesus Christ the Redeemer
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID41600
ClassC
Power1,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
45°45′29″N 108°29′52″W / 45.75806°N 108.49778°W / 45.75806; -108.49778
Translator(s)97.5 K248BL (Billings)
100.9 K265FK (Laurel)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitebillingscatholicradio.com
Former logo

History

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KJCR received a construction permit on February 13, 1946 as KBMY. The station came on air on September 8, 1946, but would not receive a license to cover until October 17, 1946. It was Billing's second radio station. The transmitter was located near US Highway 10, about two miles from the "business district" in Billings. At the time, the station was only allowed to broadcast 250 watts. The station received approval to broadcast 1,000 watts in 1962. It was owned by Billings Broadcasting Company. KBMY left the air on September 30, 1983, because of financial issues. The station returned in 1989 as KZBO, and then KUUS, with the slogan "KWS". In 1993, the station was a part of the now-defunct May School of Broadcasting, and the calls were changed to KMAY. The station was sold to Elenbaas Media in 1990, who flipped the call sign to KMZK in 1997. [3][4]

As KMZK, the station was owned by Herm Elenbaas and carried Contemporary Christian music. Herm Elenbaas also owns KURL 93.3 FM.

The station became Catholic radio in 2011, after it was sold to Agnus Dei Communications. The studios are located at 26 Wyoming Avenue. Efforts to get the station on air began in 2007. The station broadcasts the entire lineup of EWTN Radio, but also broadcasts Billings Central Catholic High School football games.[5] [6] During the early 2010s, the station broadcast using HD Radio.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KJCR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "KJCR Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
  3. ^ "FCC History Cards for KJCR" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  4. ^ John C. Johnson. "Montana Radio and TV Station Photos from the John in Arizona Collection". johninarizona.com.
  5. ^ "Cornerstone Newsletter" (PDF). Billings Catholic Schools Foundation. December 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Susan Olp (March 26, 2011). "New Catholic radio station on air in Billings". Billings Gazette.
  7. ^ "Sheridan, Wyoming AM DX log". Ubstudios.com. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "National Stations". iBiquity Digital Corporation. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
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