Winona’s Radio Alternative

KQAL is the only full service, HD, independent radio station in Winona and has been serving the area since 1975.

There is something for everyone on KQAL: jazz and rock music, public affairs, educational, arts, and culture programs, and WSU Warrior play-by-play action.

KQAL is operated by the Mass Communication department at Winona State University and is staffed primarily by student volunteers. It has a dual mission: to provide career training for students interested in radio broadcasting as well as to provide the residents of southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin with quality educational and entertainment programming.

History of KQAL

1975

The Beginning

KQAL-FM, 89.5MHz, at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota went on the air in December 1975 – an alternative independent radio station from the beginning, broadcasting from a 10 watt transmitter on the roof of the Performing Arts Center. KQAL was started by faculty members Jacque Reidelberger and Brice Wilkinson and student manager, Bruce Hittner. At its inception KQAL was a laboratory for the Speech Department at WSU. KQAL has been staffed primarily by students from the very beginning.

1975

1980

New Jurisdiction

In 1980, KQAL was placed under the jurisdiction of the newly created Mass Communication Department at WSU. KQAL increased its power output to 1,100 watts in 1981 and it became a member of the Associated Press.

1980

1989

1,800 Watts

1989 saw the power output increased to 1,800 watts and the transmitter moved from the roof of the Performing Arts Center to a 400 foot tower leased from KWNO on Garvin Heights. Also in ’89 two satellite receiving dishes were installed at the Performing Arts Center.

1989

1991

Studio Remodel

The entire studio complex was remodeled in 1991 with new state of the art equipment and the newsroom went computerized.

1991

1995

Website Debut

1995 was the year for computer based digital audio editing equipment to be installed and when this website debuted.

1995

1997

RDS (Radio Data System)

In 1997, KQAL became the first radio station in Winona to broadcast using RDS, allowing KQAL to transmit song/artist information to the new generation of RDS radios. Today KQAL is still the only station in Winona to transmit full song/artist data.

1997

1998

Computer Based Hard Drive Audio Storage & Automation

KQAL continued the transition to the digital era in 1998 when computer based, hard drive audio storage and automation was introduced, virtually eliminating the use of tape at the station. The original system was replaced in 2002 with a new, more robust and reliable system.

1998

2009

New Studio

In the summer of 2009, Phelps Hall on the WSU campus was extensively remodeled and new radio and TV studios were constructed. KQAL began broadcasting from those new studios in January 2010, forever abandoning our home of some 34 years in the Performing Arts Center.

2009

2011

New Tower

In 2011, KQAL was forced to find a new home for its transmitter when the owner of the Garvin Heights tower announced the tower would be razed. A new site was found just across the river in Buffalo County, WI. It turned out to be a good move since the new tower was taller and allowed a power increase to 2,500 watts.

2011

2017

New Partnership

In 2017, the Associated Press greatly reduced their service to only a weekday daytime schedule, leaving KQAL with no national network news on nights or weekends. A new partnership was created with the Westwood One Radio Network, once again giving KQAL top of the hour news on a 24/7 basis.

2017

2020

HD Radio

In the summer of 2020, Westwood One discontinued their news service. KQAL contracted with NBC News Radio as our new top of the hour news provider. NBC News Radio premiered on KQAL on 8/31/20.

In October 2020, KQAL took another major leap forward and became Winona’s first HD radio station, providing pristine digital audio to a new generation of HD receivers. More information is available at the HD Radio website.