KRGO to KMRI: A Salt Lake City Radio Story

KMRI (1550 AM) – West Valley City, Utah
Owned by KRGO LLC, currently airing a sports format

1956 – The station was originally built on 1570 kHz in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City with a daytime-only power of 500 watts.

1965 – Frequency was changed to 1550 kHz and daytime power increased to 10,000 watts. The transmitting tower was moved to 5265 West 2100 South in what is now West Valley City.

March 4, 1968 – The station’s callsign was changed from KWIC to KRGO. KRGO began airing a country music format, broadcasting from 5065 West 2100 South in the Granger area on an 8.9-acre property. Listeners could call the request and contest line at 299-3449.

1977 – Nighttime operation at 500 watts was added, allowing limited evening broadcasts.

Mid-1980s – Country programming was simulcast on KRGO-FM 107.9, expanding the station’s reach. By 1982, the owners attempted to sell the Granger property for office or warehouse use while relocating the tower.

January 1, 1988 – Callsign changed to KZQQ, with the station airing the Z Rock heavy metal format.

1990 – Format changed to Spanish-language music, branded as “La Fabulosa,” with some religious/gospel programming during the day.

July 31, 1992 – Callsign changed to KRGQ, with country music on the day and Spanish programming at night.

September 14, 1992 – Daytime country programming began simulcasting on 107.9 KZQQ-FM and 103.1 FM, branded as KRGO.

December 1993 – Country programming also simulcast on KQOL 106.5 FM.

1995 – The station went off the air temporarily.

1997 – Rebuilt at 6211 West 2100 South, West Valley City. On March 10, callsign reverted to KRGO with a Country Western format.

January 16, 1998 – Callsign changed to KMRI, adopting a religious format. The callsign stood for “Miracle Rock Incorporated Church,” the owner at the time.

2003–2004 – KMRI arranged to share a tower with KCPW (AM) (now KIHU) as part of a two-tower directional array.

2005 – Entered a contract with Radio Exitos Communications Inc. to transmit Regional Mexican music and Spanish Christian programming. The contract later transferred to Victor Galindo, and eventually the station was sold to a new corporation.

March 18, 2020 – A 5.7 magnitude earthquake near Magna, Utah toppled the station’s tower, knocking KMRI off the air. The collapse also affected KIHU, which operated at reduced power. KMRI filed for special temporary authority to remain silent.

October 2, 2024 – KMRI returned to the air with a sports talk format, branded as “SLC Sports Radio,” airing programming from Sports Byline