KFIM-LP, known on the air as REAL 102.1, was a low-power FM Christian Music radio station located in Carroll, IA. The station was a music intensive format and carried the Today’s Christian Music offering from the Salem Radio Network until it was purchased by EMF in early 2025.
๐ก Station History
KFIM-LP was first licensed on May 1, 2014, and went off the air on December 31, 2025. The station first signed on the air in July 2015 and was created as a ministry and educational outreach of the Carroll Impact Educational Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3).
๐ต Programming and Ownership
Throughout 2025, the radio station carried the ChristianFM radio format. REAL 102.1 also had local information such as the weather forecast and local events. The station was created by the Carroll Impact Educational Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3).
๐ฅ Leadership and Board
The station was governed by a board of directors which originally consisted of President-Ron Cheney, Treasurer-Marchelle Kots, John McLaughlin, Todd Tidgren and Jeff Grote. Jeff Grote was replaced in 2016 by Marci Duncan. Wes Treadway, former KCIM Program Director and Morning Announcer, served as the station’s General Manager on a volunteer basis.
๐ Closure Announcement
The organization decided to cease operations on 12/31/25. The social media post announcing the closure stated that when they launched their 2025 campaign celebrating 10 years on the air, they had no idea it would be their last.
| Station Name | Call Letters | Location | License Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL 102.1 | KFIM-LP | Carroll, IA | May 1, 2014 |
| Owner | Format | General Manager | Off Air Date |
| Carroll Impact Educational Association | Christian Music | Wes Treadway | December 31, 2025 |
| Purchaser | Network | Board President | First Sign-On |
| EMF (Educational Media Foundation) | Salem Radio Network / ChristianFM | Ron Cheney | July 2015 |