KTSN (1060 kHz) is a daytimer AM radio station licensed to Lockhart, Texas, and serving the Austin metropolitan area. It is owned by Township Media, LLC, a non-profit organization. KTSN broadcasts a hybrid radio format of adult album alternative and Americana, branded as "Sun Radio". The studios and offices are on Manchaca Road in Austin. Sun Radio seeks listener donations on the air and on its website.
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| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Austin metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1060 kHz |
| Branding | Sun Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult album alternative; Americana |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| See § Repeaters, KJFK | |
| History | |
First air date | March 15, 1967 |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "Sun" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 34430 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 2,000 watts days only |
Transmitter coordinates | 30°19′13″N 97°38′59″W / 30.32028°N 97.64972°W |
| Repeater(s) | See § Repeaters |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www.sunradio.com |
KTSN broadcasts at 2,000 watts. As 1060 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A stations XECPAE in Mexico City and KYW in Philadelphia, KTSN must go off the air at night to avoid interference. Programming is heard on a network of FM translators and repeater stations around the Texas Hill Country.
Mission
editSun Radio's mission, according to the website, is to preserve the culture of Texas music with a minimal impact on the environment. It helps foster new radio broadcasting careers for the residents of the Texas Hill Country and provides 24-hour a day, free local radio for communities in Central Texas.
Proceeds from donations are used to expand local programming, in the creation of local jobs, as support for other non-profit organizations, to broadcast local musicians and events, and in funding new capital projects to maintain its network of radio stations.
History
editLockhart's first radio station signed on the air on March 15, 1967, as KHRB. It was owned by Heath–Reasoner Broadcasters (Dan Heath of Lockhart and Marion Reasoner of Fort Worth) and operated with 250 watts.[2] Radio Caldwell County acquired the station in 1973 and changed the call sign to KCLT.[3] Triple R Broadcasting purchased it in 1979.[4]
The station was assigned the call letters KHJK on November 8, 1983. On February 9, 1988, the station changed its call sign to KFIT.[5]
The station operated as a 250-watt daytimer located in Lockhart for many years. Mike Venditti, working with consultant Don Werlinger (one time principal of KFCC in Bay City, Texas) worked to relocate the station to the three-tower, 2,000-watt operation it is today. Upon moving closer to Austin, the station adopted a Christian and secular talk format format.[6]
On May 29, 2022, following the acquisition of the station by Township Media, KFIT began originating the adult album alternative and Americana "Sun Radio" format previously found on KTSN (1490 AM), now KJFK), feeding K261DW (100.1 FM) among other signals. The "Sun Radio" programming replaced gospel music on KFIT.[7] AM 1060 and AM 1490 swapped call signs on June 3, 2022.
Repeaters
editSun Radio rebroadcasts on numerous FM outlets, including translator stations, plus a low power (LP) station and an HD radio subchannel, all located around Central Texas. Most are owned by the Sun Radio Network or a co-owned subsidiary. KDRP-LP 103.1 MHz in Dripping Springs is owned by Principle Broadcasting Foundation. Sun Radio also leases the HD3 subchannel of KLZT 107.1 in Bastrop, which is owned by Sinclair Telecable Inc. and operates under the name Waterloo Media.
There is also a service agreement to provide underwriting sales for KOWO-LP 104.1 MHz, in Wimberley, operating as Wimberley Texan Radio. Mary López owns a translator associated with this station before its switch to Sun Radio.
| Location | Frequency | Call sign | Effective radiated power | Height above average terrain | Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, Texas | 100.1 MHz | K261DW | 99 watts | 373.8 meters (1,226 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| San Marcos, Texas | 99.9 MHz | K260CB | 250 watts | 46.8 meters (154 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| Luckenbach, Texas | 106.9 MHz | K295CK | 62 watts | 94 meters (308 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| Dripping Springs, Texas | 103.1 MHz | KDRP-LP | 5 watts | 137 meters (449 ft) | Principle Broadcasting Foundation | |
| Blowout, Texas | 88.9 MHz | KTSN-FM | 125 watts | 135 meters (443 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| Gonzales, Texas | 88.1 MHz | KCTI-FM | 1,300 watts | 117 meters (384 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| Mason, Texas | 104.1 MHz | KMSN | 25,000 watts | 96 meters (315 ft) | Sun Radio Network | |
| Bastrop, Texas | 107.1 MHz | KLZT-HD3 | 49,000 watts | 152 meters (499 ft) | Waterloo Media Group | Sun Radio Network leases the HD3 subchannel. |
References
edit- ^ "Facility Technical Data for KTSN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "Radio Station KHRB Signs On in Lockhart". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. March 15, 1967. p. 11. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ FCC History Cards for KTSN
- ^ "Radio station changes hands". Lockhart Post-Register. Lockhart, Texas. April 5, 1979. p. 6. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "KTSN Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ Herndon, John (May 28, 1989). "New Christian-information station does the talking". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. p. Show World 16. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jack Arrives To Challenge Bob In Austin". RadioInsight. May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 34430 (KTSN) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- KTSN in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
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