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, 1962College, Alaska, license moved to Fairbanks on March 9, 1976)[1] June 22, 1998 | (license, as KUAC in
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 |
KKED (104.7 FM) is an alternative rock radio station in Fairbanks, Alaska. The station is owned by iHeartMedia.
Further information: KUAC (FM) |
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]
KKED has no local air talent. Its personalities are syndicated through the internal Premium Choice service.[12]