MN Radio: Community Station Launches 'Save Our Tower' Drive

KYMN Radio, a community station in Northfield, Minnesota, has launched an urgent “Save Our Tower” campaign, turning to its listeners for financial support to preserve its 56-year legacy. 

The station last week initiated a GoFundMe fundraiser with a goal of raising $50,000 to replace the aging tension wires on its 300-foot broadcast tower—critical infrastructure that it warns is “in bad shape” and nearing the end of its lifespan. The appeal underscores the station’s deep roots in the community and the pressing need to ensure its voice continues to resonate across the region.

In its heartfelt pitch, KYMN writes, “Not only have we been with you for fifty-six years, but a lot of our equipment has been, too. Our 300-foot tower, the thing that makes it possible for us to talk to you, is in bad shape. Without getting too deep into the technical terms, the tension wires that hold the tower up need to be replaced, and that’s not cheap. Sixty years is a long time, and those wires are just plain worn out.” The station’s candid tone reflects both its predicament and its reliance on the very community it has served since its founding by Stan Stydnicki in 1968.

KYMN’s journey began as a modest AM operation at 1080 kHz, delivering a mix of local news, politics, weather, music, and cultural programming to Northfield and beyond. Stydnicki, a broadcast pioneer with a vision for community-driven radio, nurtured the station through decades of change until it evolved into a 24-hour lifeline for its listeners. 

In 2016, under new ownership, KYMN expanded its reach with an FM signal at 95.1, rebranding as “95.1 The One.” This upgrade extended its coverage to neighboring towns like Cannon Falls, Nerstrand, Faribault, and Lonsdale, amplifying its role as a regional hub. Today, the station is owned by Rich Larson, a local media figure committed to preserving its mission.

The 300-foot tower, erected in the station’s early years, relies on guy wires—steel cables that anchor it against wind and weather. After nearly six decades, these wires have succumbed to rust, fatigue, and wear, threatening the tower’s stability. Replacing them is no small feat: engineering assessments, labor, and materials could easily push costs into the tens of thousands, a burden KYMN—a small, independent outlet—cannot shoulder alone. Without intervention, the station risks losing its ability to broadcast, silencing a voice that has chronicled Northfield’s joys, struggles, and daily rhythms since the late 1960s.

The GoFundMe has garnered modest traction, with donations trickling in from loyal listeners and local businesses. Yet, the campaign remains far from its goal, amplifying the urgency of the situation.