KKED (104.7 FM) is an alternative rock radio station in Fairbanks, Alaska. The station is owned by iHeartMedia.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Fairbanks, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 104.7 MHz |
| Branding | Alt 104.7 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Alternative rock |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KAKQ-FM, KFBX, KIAK-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | October 1, 1962 (license, as KUAC in College, Alaska, license moved to Fairbanks on March 9, 1976)[1] June 22, 1998 |
Former call signs | KUAC (1962–1977) KUAC-FM (1977–1997) KUAC (8/1/1997) KUAB (1997–1998) |
Former frequencies | 104.9 MHz (1962–1968) |
Call sign meaning | K K EDge (former branding) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 69120 |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 46,000 watts |
| HAAT | 174 meters (571 ft) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | alt1047 |
History edit
The KKED license traces its roots to the oldest FM radio station in Interior Alaska. On October 1, 1962,[2] the University of Alaska Fairbanks launched KUAC, the first public radio station in the state of Alaska, at 104.9 FM. It replaced an older carrier current station on the campus.[3] In July 1968, the station moved to 104.7 MHz[4] and increased the effective radiated power of its transmitter atop the Student Union Building to 10,500 watts.[1]
Until 1982, the portion of the FM band below 100 MHz, including the typical noncommercial educational reserved band of 88–92 MHz, was reserved in Alaska for telecommunications purposes.[5] As a result, KUAC, as well as other public radio stations in Alaska such as KSKA, operated on licenses that, if sold, could be converted to commercial operation. In 1995, the station landed a $178,000 federal grant to build a new, more powerful facility broadcasting with 38,000 watts at 89.9 MHz—in the reserved band—atop the Ester Dome.[6] By comparison, the 104.7 facility was atop the shorter Bender Mountain at 10,000 watts.[7] 89.9 MHz, bearing the call letters KUAB, came to air in April 1997 while the 104.7 studio-transmitter link was broken.[8]
The new facility in the reserved band opened up the ability for the University of Alaska Fairbanks to sell the 104.7 license, which traded call letters to become KUAB, to a commercial buyer. Capstar, a forerunner to iHeartMedia, acquired the facility for $205,000 in February 1998.[9] On June 22, the frequency became a commercial alternative rock outlet known as "The Edge";[10] the call letters changed to KKED on July 10.[11]
The "Edge" moniker was used until 2016, when the station rebranded as Alt 104.7, retaining the alternative format.[12]
Programming edit
KKED has no local air talent. Its personalities are syndicated through the internal Premium Choice service.[12]
References edit
- ^ a b FCC History Cards for KKED (as KUAC)
- ^ "Radio Station Opening at UA". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. October 1, 1962. p. 9. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "University Asking Permit For FM Broadcast Station". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 1, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "University Radio Station Gets Transmitting Boost". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. July 5, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 25, 1982. p. 106. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ Cole, Dermot (September 25, 1995). "KUAC gears up". Fairbanks Daily News Miner. p. B-1.
- ^ Lillie, Erin (October 27, 1997). "Dogs get top billing at fund drive". Fairbanks Daily News Miner. pp. B1, B2. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ Cole, Dermot (April 15, 1997). "KUAC moves frequency". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. p. B-1. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. February 6, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ Jones, Patricia (July 12, 1998). "New radio station takes rock to the Edge". Fairbanks Daily News Miner. pp. D-1, D-2. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ FCC (July 10, 1998). "Mass Media Bureau Call Sign Actions". Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Venta, Lance (July 27, 2016). "Edge Shifts To Alt In Fairbanks". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
External links edit
- Alt 104.7's official website
- KKED in the FCC FM station database
- KKED in Nielsen Audio's FM station database