KSTZ

KSTZ (102.5 FM, "Star 102.5") is a commercial FM radio station in Des Moines, Iowa. The station airs a hot adult contemporary radio format. KSTZ is part of Saga Communications' Des Moines Radio Group, with studios located on Locust Street in Des Moines. KSTZ has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 92,000 watts (100,000 watts with beam tilt). The transmitter is located off Ankeny Boulevard (U.S. Route 69) near Alleman. KSTZ broadcasts in the HD Radio format. The HD2 subchannel carries a classic country format known as "93.7 The Outlaw - Legends and Young Guns", which is also relayed on 250-watt translator station K229CC, at 93.7 MHz. History The station signed on the air in 1970 as KRNT-FM. It was the FM counterpart to KRNT (AM 1350). Both stations were owned by the Cowles family, publishers of the Des Moines Register. During those early years, Drake-Chenault's automated "Hit Parade" format was aired. In 1974, the station became KRNQ ("Q-102"). That year, Cowles sold KRNQ and KRNT (AM) to Stauffer Communications of Topeka, Kansas. The two stations were sold to Saga Communications in August 1988. KRNQ was originally an automated Top 40 station. In January 1976, KRNQ began airing American Top 40 with Casey Kasem, and then Shadoe Stevens, until April 1989. In 1984, the automation ended and the station began using local DJs. By the end of the 1980s, KRNQ was at or near the top of the local Arbitron ratings.