KCHU Public Radio must share the news that our AM broadcast tower at the historic Old Town transmitter site has been taken down due to urgent safety concerns.
Over time, coastal erosion caused the guy-wire anchors that stabilized our AM tower to shift. One anchor became submerged and was sinking, leading to a dangerous increase of tension. The tower developed permanent bends and began leaning precariously toward Port Valdez. With winter storms approaching, there was a serious risk that the tower could fall into the water.
In an extraordinary act of generosity, Bill Harris of Harris Sand & Gravel donated equipment and labor to construct a diversion dike and reinforce the streambank in front of the transmitter shack. The City of Valdez also contributed rock for the project. Thanks to Bill and the City, we bought precious time to evaluate the situation and plan next steps.
Tower experts from South Central Communications came to assess and adjust the tension on the guy wires. After a thorough evaluation, they determined the tower was beyond repair.
To protect both the environment and public safety, their skilled crew carried out a controlled operation to bring the tower down safely—falling it toward land, away from the shoreline.
What This Means for Listeners
- AM Signal is Off-Air: Our AM signal is now dark in Valdez and across Prince William Sound.
- FM 91.3 is NOW available in Valdez.
- FM & Online Streaming Remain Available: FM service at our remote sites and online stream at KCHU.org are fully operational.
Looking Ahead
We recognize that many of our listeners—especially in remote parts of the Sound—depend on AM radio as their most reliable connection. KCHU is exploring options to restore coverage, and we’ll keep you informed as we move forward.
How You Can Help
With ongoing state and federal funding cuts, we rely more than ever on support from our communities, underwriters and listeners like you.
- Donate Today: Your contributions help us rebuild and strengthen our signal.
- Join the Mission:
- Become a member
- Or call 907-831-6801 to learn how to join our all-volunteer Board of Directors. YOU can direct the station’s future.
The Next Chapter
This tower served the Sound for decades—connecting communities, carrying news, weather, culture, and emergency alerts across land and water. Its absence is more than the loss of infrastructure; it’s the closing of a chapter in our station’s history.
Thank you for your continued loyalty, understanding, and support. Together, we will write the next chapter for KCHU.
