Turn Up The Hope

For over 40 years, 90.9 KLRC has been sharing hope in Jesus with as many people as possible. During those four decades, the number of people KLRC has been privileged to reach has slowly (or at times, quite quickly!) expanded. Now, because of your incredible support, KLRC is poised to reach even more hearts and homes than ever before.

We are thrilled to announce a significant signal expansion for KLRC coming later in 2026! We’ve been praying for the right opportunity to grow, and are excited to share that KLRC is heading to a new signal that will provide full coverage of the entire Fort Smith metro area.

This means we'll have the opportunity to reach up to 250,000 more people with hope in Jesus!

This new signal will ensure a fantastic listening experience not just in Fort Smith and Van Buren, but in numerous surrounding communities, including Greenwood, Booneville, Sallisaw, Poteau, and many more.

Plus, the blessing doesn’t stop with KLRC. By moving to this new, larger signal, we are also unlocking a special opportunity for our recently launched sister station, Real FM. We will be launching Real FM in Fort Smith and Van Buren using KLRC’s current River Valley translator! By maximizing these signals, we’ll be able to offer two distinct ways for people to connect with the gospel through music.

Expansion projects like this simply aren’t possible without the support of the KLRC listening family, so we want to invite you to join in the work God is doing through KLRC! Your gift is an investment in every life that will be changed by the right song being heard at just the right time. 

Would you consider being one of 400 donors to make a special one-time gift of $250 to help KLRC reach up to 250,000 more people? This amount would cover the required equipment costs to launch KLRC and Real FM on this new signal in the River Valley.

We are so grateful for your partnership as we prepare to plant these new seeds of hope across the River Valley and beyond. Learn more about this expansion project below!

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new signals launch?

The short answer is we're not 100% sure just yet. We have already closed on the purchase of the new signal, and are currently building out the transmitter sites by purchasing and installing the necessary equipment. Our current target is to get both signals on-the-air sometime this fall. At the latest, we feel confident that things should be up and running by the end of 2026.

What frequencies will the stations be available on, and where will they cover?

KLRC will be available on 94.5 FM across most of the River Valley. The map above shows an approximation of the signal coverage area, which will include Fort Smith, Van Buren, Mountainburg, Alma, Mulberry, Lavaca, Charleston, Booneville, Mansfield, Hartford, Pocola, Poteau, Spiro, Panama, Sallisaw, and Cedarville. 

Real FM will be available on 101.1 FM, which covers the immediate Fort Smith and Van Buren area.

In addition, Real FM will be available on 94.5-HD2 via HD Radio, covering the same geographic area as 94.5 FM.

What is HD Radio?

HD Radio is a technology that allows radio broadcasters to transmit a clear, strong digital signal, and also includes the option to operate additional stations as "subchannels" of the primary frequency. This means that you'll hear KLRC on the primary signal at 94.5-HD1, while Real FM will be available on the subchannel 94.5-HD2. An HD Radio capable receiver will be required for listening to Real FM on 94.5-HD2, while a traditional radio receiver will still work for listening to KLRC at 94.5 FM and Real FM on 101.1 FM.

How much will this expansion project cost?

We estimate that it will cost approximately $400,000 to fully launch KLRC and Real FM on their new River Valley signals. This includes the cost of acquiring the new signal, as well as a significant amount of equipment to upgrade 94.5's transmitter to HD and get both stations on-the-air. The equipment cost alone will cost upwards of $100,000, and we would be thrilled to see God provide that amount through the KLRC and Real FM listening families during our "Turn Up The Hope" fundraising day!