KNWS (AM)

{{Infobox radio station

| name = KNWS

| logo = Faith Radio logo.png

| city = Waterloo, Iowa

| area = Eastern Iowa

| branding = Faith Radio

| frequency = 1090 kHz

| translator = 93.1 K226CK (Waterloo)

| airdate = {{start date and age|1947|5}} (as KAYX)

| former_callsigns = KAYX (1947–1950)
KBOK (1950–1953)

| format = Christian talk and teaching

| power = 1,000 watts days only

| class = D

| facility_id = 49784

| callsign_meaning = University of Northwestern

| affiliations = Northwestern Media's Faith Radio Network

| sister_stations = KNWS-FM

| owner = Northwestern Media

| licensee = University of Northwestern - St Paul

| website = [https://myfaithradio.com/ myfaithradio.com]

| licensing_authority = FCC

}}

KNWS (1090 kHz) is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station in Waterloo, Iowa. Known on-air as "Faith 1090 KNWS" or as Faith Radio, it broadcasts a Christian talk and teaching radio format. It is owned and operated by the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. Outside of the hourly station identification, all programming comes from the Faith Radio Network. Religious leaders heard on KNWS include David Jeremiah, Alistair Begg, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Rick Warren and Chuck Swindoll.

By day, KNWS is powered at 1,000 watts, using a non-directional antenna. But 1090 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for stations in Little Rock, Baltimore and Tijuana. To avoid interfering with those stations, KNWS must go off the air at night. Programming is heard around the clock on 250-watt FM translator K226CK at 93.1 MHz.

History

The station signed on the air in {{Start date and age|May 1947}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35355393/|work=The Courier|date=May 25, 1947|title=New Waterloo Radio Station Is On The Air|accessdate=August 27, 2019}} The original call sign was KAYX, owned by the Waterloo Broadcasting Company.

The station became KBOK on April 27, 1950, with the new call letters making their on-air debut on May 8.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35355247/|work=The Courier|title=Station KAYX Becomes KBOK After Sunday|date=May 4, 1950|accessdate=August 27, 2019}} At that time, Waterloo Broadcasting sought to move the station to 1280 kHz, using a new tower site, but eventually requested that the construction permit be canceled.

File:KNWS_AM_1090_FAITH_RADIO.gif

In January 1953, it was announced that the Northwestern Schools would acquire KBOK, converting it to a noncommercial Christian format. The studios would be moved from downtown to the transmitter site.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35355323/|work=Des Moines Tribune|accessdate=August 27, 2019|date=January 21, 1950|title=Radio Station KBOK Is Sold}} On April 1, 1953, Northwestern began operating the new KNWS,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35213530/school_group_to_assume_control_of_kbok/|title=School Group to Assume Control of KBOK Apr. 1|date=March 17, 1953|work=The Courier|accessdate=August 23, 2019}} KNWS would be Northwestern Schools first expansion outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul.