Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 10, 2026

KHIL

KHIL is a radio station licensed to Willcox, Arizona, United States. The station is owned by John Oberreuter and Mark Lucke, through licensee Willcox Radio, LLC. It airs a classic country music format. The station is also simulcast over FM translator K251CG in Willcox.

Last revised
Jun 10, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
602 w
Citations
14
Source
Wikipedia ↗
KHIL
Frequency1250 kHz
BrandingClassic Country
Programming
FormatClassic country
Ownership
Owner
  • John Oberreuter and Mark Lucke
  • (Willcox Radio, LLC)
History
Former call signs
KWCX (1961–1963)
Call sign meaning
Hills surrounding Willcox, Arizona
Technical information1
Licensing authority
FCC
72656
ClassD
Power
  • 5,000 watts (day)
  • 196 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
32°16′00″N 109°49′58″W / 32.26667°N 109.83278°W / 32.26667; -109.83278
Translator98.1 K251CG (Wilcox)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websiteadm.hjx.mybluehost.me

KHIL (1250 AM, "Classic Country") is a radio station licensed to Willcox, Arizona, United States. The station is owned by John Oberreuter and Mark Lucke, through licensee Willcox Radio, LLC. It airs a classic country music format.2 The station is also simulcast over FM translator K251CG (98.1 FM) in Willcox.

The station was founded in 1958 by Rex Allen.3 It was assigned its KHIL call letters by the Federal Communications Commission.4

In 2007, KHIL applied to relocate to Kearny, Arizona, with a change in frequency to 1260 kHz and a power upgrade 10,000 watts.5 This application was dismissed by the FCC on April 21, 2008,6 and KHIL remains in Willcox with a daytime power of 5,000 watts. At that time, Lucke had become the only paid employee (down from a staff of 10 in 2003).3

KHIL was featured in a December 2018 in a documentary published by The Atlantic, Lonesome Willcox.7 A June 2019 report in The Guardian portrayed the station as being at the risk of closure, with Lucke keeping operations up without pay.3

Lucke is no longer involved with the station.8

Ownership

In April 2002, Lakeshore Media LLC completed its purchase of KHIL and KWCX-FM from Cathy Ann Enterprises LLC.9 The sale price was reported to be $1.1 million.10

In March 2003, Clear Channel Communications reached a deal to acquire KHIL and KWCX-FM from Lakeshore Media LLC for $2.5 million, but that deal was contingent on the relocation of KWCX-FM to the Tucson area.10 The FCC denied the move and the deal fell through.

In July 2007, KZLZ LLC reached an agreement to acquire KHIL and KWCX-FM from Lakeshore Media LLC for a reported sale price of $900,000.11

Effective November 22, 2017, KZLZ LLC sold KHIL to Willcox Radio, LLC for $150,000.

Translator

Broadcast translator for KHIL
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
K251CG 98.1 FM Willcox, Arizona 144678 50 D 32°16′1.27″N 109°50′2.24″W / 32.2670194°N 109.8339556°W / 32.2670194; -109.8339556 (K251CG) LMS
References

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for KHIL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on March 1, 2010.
  3. Weingarten, Debbie (June 6, 2019). "America's rural radio stations are vanishing – and taking the country's soul with them". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  4. "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  5. "Don't let greed take away our radio stations". Arizona Range News. August 15, 2007.
  6. "Application Search Details". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database. April 21, 2008.
  7. Wright, Zach; Maxey, Ryan. "A 'Tragic Hero' in Small-Town America". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  8. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/KHIL-1250-AM-willcoxradiosom-and-Lonesome-Willcox-documentary/100069517584049/. Retrieved June 3, 2025. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "Lakeshore Media Buys Arizona Stations KHIL-AM and KWCX-FM". Radio Ink. April 11, 2002. Archived from the original on May 6, 2005. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  10. Reel, James (October 7, 2004). "Media Watch: Yet More Clear Channel". Tucson Weekly.
  11. "Transactions 07-20-07". Radio Business Report. July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
External links