Sun 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
Lockhart'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
Sun 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.
