It was built to air a radio format of adult album alternative (AAA) music, along with cultural and public affairs programming.

A public corporation, the Double Helix Foundation, was looking for a spot on the St. Louis FM dial to start a community radio station.

Eventually, Double Helix sued in federal court, resulting in a decision that broadcast stations had to "use it or lose it" with regard to frequencies.

Stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission are required to broadcast a minimum number of hours each week.

In 2023, over a dozen volunteer DJs were controversially dismissed by executive director Kelly Wells, citing various reasons.

This decision resulted in protests by other volunteers, associate members, and listeners, with many longtime donors withdrawing their financial support to the station.

After this, and an analysis of financial records, a lawsuit was filed against the remaining members of the board for gross abuses of authority.

[10] Amidst the ongoing issues with the current board, on January 31, 2025, KDHX laid off all volunteer staff and ceased live broadcasts.

The Double Helix Corporation was formed after the demise of KDNA, a countercultural community-radio station that operated in St. Louis's Gaslight Square district in the late 1960s and early 1970s.