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For the airport in Stuart, Florida, assigned the ICAO code KSUA, see Witham Field.

KSUA
Broadcast areaInterior Alaska
Frequency91.5 MHz
BrandingKSUA 91.5 College
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatAlternative rock
AffiliationsPacifica Radio
Ownership
OwnerUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks
History
First air date
September 6, 1984; 40 years ago (1984-09-06)
Former frequencies
103.9 MHz
Call sign meaning
Students of the University of Alaska
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID20445
ClassA
ERP3,000 watts
HAAT-5.0 meters
Transmitter coordinates
64°51′32.00″N 147°49′41.00″W / 64.8588889°N 147.8280556°W / 64.8588889; -147.8280556
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.ksuaradio.com

KSUA (91.5 FM) is a student-run college radio station licensed to Fairbanks, Alaska. Broadcasting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) campus with 3,000 watts effective radiated power (ERP,) it serves the Alaska Interior area. When first on the air in 1984, it was one of a few commercially licensed college stations. Reorganized in 1993, KSUA now operates under the FCC non-commercial educational license public radio rules.

FCC Programming Requirements

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Noncommercial licenses are available only for "educational" purposes. TV stations must show that the licenses will be used "primarily to serve the educational needs of the community; for the advancement of educational programs; and to furnish a nonprofit and noncommercial television broadcast service." This includes transmitting "educational, cultural, and entertainment programs." FM radio licensees must be nonprofit educational organizations that advance "an educational program."

In practice, though, the FCC has allowed the stations to determine for themselves whether they have produced programming of this sort. The commission has intentionally left "educational programming" undefined, describing public broadcasting instead in terms of what it is not: Public stations "are not operated by profit-seeking organizations nor supported by on-the-air advertising," with their "positive dimensions" determined by "social, political, and economic forces outside the Commission."

Because noncommercial stations have an educational mission, whose contours have been left unspecified, the FCC has never adopted public interest programming rules for noncommercial stations, such as requiring that a certain amount of airtime be dedicated to local news KSUA has won statewide and national broadcasting awards.

History

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KSUA-FM did not go on the air until the mid-1980s, but the station's roots stretch back for two decades before that, to the first UAF radio station, KUAC-FM. KUAC, the Fairbanks North Star Borough's public radio station, went on the air October 1, 1962, operating out of the Constitution Hall[2] studios KSUA now occupies. KUAC was the first public radio station in Alaska, and also the first FM station serving the Interior. It would blaze the trail for other stations to come. In 1971, KUAC moved its radio and new TV broadcasting facilities into the lower level of the UAF Fine Arts Building.[3]

KUAC was joined a decade later by carrier current outlet KMPS, the precursor to KSUA.[4] Established by the UAF student government, KMPS went on air March 24, 1971. It was a "Progressive rock" campus radio station.[5] The existing AC electoral wiring in the dorms and other campus buildings were used as a broadcast antenna; only AM radios near the buildings could receive its signal.[6]

KMPS quickly tired of its limited listener base. In the mid-1970s, the push to become a licensed on-air broadcaster began. For that, a new call sign would be needed. Unlicensed carrier current stations have no claim on or requirement for a call sign, and in 1978, the FCC assigned the KMPS-FM call sign to a station based in Seattle, Washington.[7]

Commercial years

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Further information: KTDZ

On September 6, 1984, KSUA-FM came on the air at the frequency of 103.9 MHz, operating under a commercial broadcast license from the FCC. Both KMPS[8] and KSUA took in advertising revenue. The licensee was called Student Media, Inc. (SMI). That nonprofit corporation had been formed to operate the station.[9]

Playing what is referred to in the radio industry as the "album-oriented rock" or AOR format (focusing on 'deep albums tracks' in addition to more popular singles), KSUA-FM began as one of the few commercial college stations in the country, as are WHUR-FM at Howard University and WPGU at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The early KSUA operated with relative autonomy, with few direct ties to the university, as a culture had existed since the 1940s at UAF of providing student services independent of the university.

KSUA "Rock for the Great Land" quickly became the most popular station in the Greater Fairbanks area, with a format of playing a wide range of music[10] that included classic rock, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Industrial, traditional Chicago and Delta Blues, Grunge (well before the genre became widely recognized) and a host of Independent recording acts. The format and content of each show was left largely up to the DJ of that show. The station served as a launching pad for 'Glenner and Jerry' (aka Glen Anderson and Jerry Evans), popular local announcers who enlivened the morning show format in Fairbanks.[11] They would leave the station in 1987 for KWLF in Fairbanks. In 2013 they still worked in local radio but at different stations.[12] D.J. Jamie Canfield, went on to work for several independent record labels including Rounder Records, Rykodisc and Righteous Babe Records, voice work for several Rockstar Games, including Grand Theft Auto Vice City, and in 2011, he was program director at KSKI-FM in Hailey, Idaho.[13]

KSUA's fortunes began to decline in the late 1980s. In 1987, commercial contemporary hit radio station KWLF began broadcasting; it then hired away Anderson and Evans. With new competition and decline of the Alaskan economy during the same period, KSUA's stability as a commercial radio entity diminished. As Fairbanks's radio market expanded with more new stations in the early 1990s, acute financial troubles began to plague KSUA. The station's advertising revenues steadily declined amidst an increasingly competitive broadcasting landscape. KSUA was eventually unable to meet its payroll demands to both management and on-air staff. The formerly-paid DJs were asked to volunteer, but in protest, one of them filed a wage claim with the Department of Labor, and KSUA was forced to give out almost $45,000 in unpaid wages. Out of money, KSUA went dark March 8, 1993.[10]

Transformation, transition, and growth

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KSUA booth at the 2012 Tanana Valley State Fair.

The station stayed off the air until the end of 1993. During its downtime, SMI was dissolved, and the license for KSUA was transferred to the UA Board of Regents, to be held in trust for the students of UAF. In September the Associated Students University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASUAF) bill, called "Governance Agreement For The KSUA Media Board", was passed. It recreated KSUA as a public radio station, under the authority of the new KSUA Media Board. The station's chief engineer brought the system up to FCC standards. A new antenna was purchased, placed on the Moore Residence Hall[14] on the Upper Campus. When KSUA came back on the air, it had new equipment and new management. The new KSUA came back on the air December 2, 1993, playing the same song the station had shut down with: Pearl Jam's "Alive."

Until 1982—just years before KSUA went on air—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.[15] As a result, KSUA and 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. With KSUA now operating as a public radio station, Borealis Broadcasting, a local media company wanted its frequency for a new commercial station. Borealis purchased the defunct KUWL, a Christian radio station that had operated at 91.5 FM from 1985 to 1993, and swapped it to the university for the 103.9 frequency, which could be operated commercially. In exchange, the university received a new antenna and transmitter system valued at $26,000, as well as $10,000 in additional payments—all extremely valuable in the face of budget cuts.[16][10][17] As a result, in April 1996, KSUA moved to 91.5 FM, and Borealis started a new commercial station, also named KUWL, at 103.9 with the former KSUA license.

Sports

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KSUA provides live play-by-play coverage of University of Alaska Nanooks hockey. Veteran broadcaster Bruce Cech is the play-by-play announcer for all Nanook hockey games. KSUA streams all games live on their website. KSUA is the only radio station to provide Nanook hockey game coverage as no commercial radio station throughout the Fairbanks radio market airs their games.

General managers

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There can be anywhere from 30 to 100 volunteers at one time, normally managed by 6-9 paid student staff members (depending on the needs at the time). These positions are normally kept for a year or two and are reviewed annually by the general manager. The general manager in turn is reviewed by the Media Board. The Media Board is a small board of volunteer UAF students and UAF staff who oversee the monthly operations of the station and the general manager. They also approve the annual budget and assist in helping the general manager make large decisions.

Awards

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As of Fall 2019, KSUA has won over 100 statewide broadcasting awards.[18] In 2012 it was among the top 10 college stations nationwide competing for the MTV college radio woodie award.[19] The next year KSUA won the College Radio Woodie Award.[20]

Alaska Broadcasters Association Awards

Year Category Name Creator
2001 Radio, Website, Student division www.uaf.edu/ksua Brandon Seifert, Dustin Rice
2001 Radio Commercial, Series, Student Division KSUA Job Opportunities Brad Weber, Jon Johnson
2001 Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student Division Dead Sessions Channon Price
2001 Radio, Web Site, Student Division www.uaf.edu/ksua Brandon Seifert, Dustin Rice
2001 Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student Division Good Karma Tattoos Brad Weber
2001 Radio, Best Spots Never Aired, Student Division Punk Show Ad Brad Weber
2001 Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Maieutic Radio Featuring Heln Caldicott Ramey Wood
2001 Radio, Sports News Story, Single Entry, Student Division The Russ Kelly Show, Sports Extra Edition Russ Kelly
2001 Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student Division Alaska Independence Party H.B. Telling
2001 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division KSUA Watch Ty Keltner
2002 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division KSUA T-Shirt Ty Keltner, Trademark Printing
2002 Radio, Best Spot that Never Aired, Student Division Rock Til Your Heart Bleeds Mark Fortunato, Don Bradshaw
2002 Radio, Web Site, Student Division www.uaf.edu/ksua Dustin Rice
2002 Radio, Promotional Announcement, Series, Student Division Gadjits Promotion Matthew Little, Morgan Dufseth
2002 Radio, Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student Division Trademark Allen Childs
2002 Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student Division Fruit at the Fair Susan Steinnerd, Ty Keltner
2002 Radio, Best Comedy Feature, Student Division Live from Guelph Ramey Wood, Jenn Neslund
2002 Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Derrick Jensen Interview Ramey Wood
2002 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF vs. Ohio State Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2003 Radio, Web Site, Student Division KSUA Website Curt Merrill
2003 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division The People's Radio Sticker Curt Merrill
2003 Radio, Best Spot that Never Aired Governor's Picnic Isaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2003 Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student Division Jah is My Co-Pilot Chip Brookes
2003 Radio Commercial, Single Entry, Student Division Fantasyland Isaac Paris, Ginny Tschanz
2003 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF Nanooks vs. UAA Seawolves Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2003 Radio, Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student Division Lysistrata Isaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2003 Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Howard Zinn Interview Colin McClung
2003 Radio, Best Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student Division Alaskan Independent's Party H.B. Telling
2003 Radio, Promotional Announcement Series, Student Division Complete Discography Isaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2004 Radio, Service to Community, Single Entry, Student Division Voting PSA Isaac Paris
2004 Radio, Website, Student Division www.ksua.net Curt Merrill, H.B. Telling, Channon Price
2004 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF vs. Notre Dame Bruce Cech
2004 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division KSUA Bumper Sticker Curt Merrill
2004 Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Sugar in the Raw Kendra Calhoun, Jody Hassel
2004 Radio, Best Specialty Programming, Student Division Jah is My Co-Pilot Chip Brookes
2004 Radio, Public Service Announcement, Single Entry, Student Division Literacy Council of Alaska Isaac Paris, Rachel Garcia
2004 Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Single Entry, Student Division Alaska Independence Party Nick Brewer, Elizabeth Smith
2004 Radio, Best Spot that never aired, Student Division Radiohead I.D. Chip Brookes, Isaac Paris, Shaleesha Ferrari, H.B. Telling
2004 Promotional Announcement, Single Entry, Student Division General Manager Vacancy Isaac Paris, Chip Brookes
2005 TV, Comedy Feature, Student Division Star Trek, Sol Searching II, Lords of Time Star Trek Club of Fairbanks
2005 TV, Entertainment Program, Single Entry, Student Division STV Shaleesha Ferrari, Dan Urquhart
2005 TV, Newscast, Student Division UAF Weekly News Dani Carlson, Kelsa Shilanski, Mike Lord
2005 Radio, Comedy Feature, Student Division Fidel Castro Shops at Safeway Punk'd Chip Brooks, Big Liza, Sally 3000, Ice Cold
2005 Radio, Radio News Program, Student Division JRN 215 Final Project Brian Woster, Dani Carlson, Kelsa Shilanski
2005 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF vs. Notre Dame Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2005 Radio, Best On-Air Personality, Student Division Dr. Nick and Mr. Smart Nick Brewer, H.B. Telling
2005 Radio, Best Radio Show, Student Division KSUA Talk Show Nick Brewer, H.B. Telling
2005 Radio, Promotional Announcements Series, Student Division Angry Young and Poor 2005 Isaac Paris, Craig Brookes
2005 Radio, Best Spot that never aired, Student Division DJ Salt vs. DJ Pepper Andrew Paris, Isaac Paris
2005 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division KSUA Robot's Radio T-Shirt Nick Sorum, Nick Brewer
2005 TV, News Story, Student Division Stryker Brigade Dani Carlson
2005 TV, Public Service Announcement, Student Division Real TV Dan Urquhart
2005 TV, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF vs. Nebraska Omaha Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas
2006 Radio, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student Division Radio Production Students Gone Wild Jamie Horath, Iris Fabrizio, Mark Pavitt
2006 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division UAF vs. Minnesota Bruce Cech
2006 TV, Sports news Story, Student Division UAF Basketball Playoffs Alan Frizzell
2006 TV, News Story, Student Division UA Museum Addition Dani Carlson
2006 TV, Comedy Feature, Student Division Cooking with Sean and a Ninja Sean Holland, Chris Green
2006 TV, Entertainment Program, Student Division Tim Fite UAF Performance Sean Holland, Jason Brewer, Chris Green
2006 TV, Uniquely Alaskan Program, Student Division The Town Called Fairbanks Sean Holland, Chris Green, Jason Brewer, Andrew Pan's
2006 Radio, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Dreams - the Everything Bagel Show Casey Grove, Jose Cruz-Gomez, Rosie Milligan
2006 Radio, Promotional Item, Student Division Mr. KSUA Robot Sticker Nick Brewer
2006 TV, Promotional Announcement, Student Division KSUA TeaV Sean Holland, Andrew Paris, Chris Green
2006 Radio, Comedy Feature, Student Division KSUA Talk Show Nick Brewer, H.B. Telling, Isaac Paris, Jessica Tamez
2006 TV, Newscast, Student Division UAF Weekly News Dani Carlson, Amy Chausse, Kelly Gitter, Laura Lowdermilk
2006 TV, Best Use of Video, Student Division Ambient Japan Sean Holland
2006 TV, Live Sports Event, Student Division Woman's Swimming: UAF vs. LMU 10/22/05 Sean Holland
2006 TV, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Governing Alaska's Natural Resources Sean Holland
2006 TV, News Feature, Student Division 9th Annual Mush for Kids Lauren Adams
2007 TV, Best Promotional Announcement, Student Division Subways Nick Brewer, Sean Holland
2007 TV, Entertainment Program, Student Division KSUA Talk Show Nick Brewer, Sven Gilkey
2007 TV, Public Affairs Program, Student Division Outspoken Kelly Gitter
2007 TV, Public Service Announcement, Student Division My UA Jaime Schwarzwald
2007 Best Radio Show, Student Division United Nations of Music Sean Bledsoe, Yan Matusevich
2007 Radio, Sports News Story, Student Division Pre-Game Show: UAF vs. Western Michigan Bruce Cech, Jim Culhane, Dallas Ferguson
2007 TV, Live Sport Event, Student Division Volleyball: UAF vs. UAA Sean Holland, Nicole Carvajal
2007 TV, Best Use of Video, Student Division The Legend of St. Herman of Alaska Sean Bledsoe, Yelena Matusevich
2007 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division Playoff Game 3: UAF vs Western Michigan Bruce Cech
2007 Radio, Entertainment Program, Student Division Terra Firma Tara Delana, Loquin Britton, Christina Sawyer
2007 Radio, News Feature, Series Entry, Student Division 9 to 5 Nora Gruner, Mary Donaldson
2007 Radio, Public Service Announcement, Student Division Clucking Blossom Matt Lynch, Tara Delana
2008 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division Overtime Win: UAF vs. Western Michigan Bruce Cech, Giacomo Accardo
2009 Radio, Public Service Announcement, Student Division UAF Text2U PSA Nick Hautman
2009 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division Overtime Win: Alaska Nanooks vs. Ferris State, 2/21/09 Bruce Cech, Erik Drygas, Matthew Schroder
2009 Radio, Best Imaging, Student Division Home and KSUA.net Nick Hautman
2009 Radio, Promotional Announcement, Student Division Junkyard Ghost Revival Nick Hautman
2010 Radio, Live Sports Event, Student Division Alaska Nanooks vs. Boston College NCAA NE Regional Bruce Cech, Channon Price
2010 Radio, Entertainment Program, Student Division International Talk like a Pirate Day Nick Hautman
2011 Radio, Public Service, Student Division Somalia PSA Rebecca File, Maduabuchi Umekwe
2011 Radio, Uniquely Alaskan, Student Division KSUA Takeout: Local Musician Discusses Life on Rural Alaskan Island Rebecca File, Willis Fireball
2011 Radio, Entertainment Program, Student Division KSUA Take Out: Buskalaska Rebecca File, Paul Thompson
2011 Radio, Best Radio Show, Student Division Foreign Affairs: Kreuzberg Jack Ewers
2011 Radio, Best Promotional Announcement, Student Division KSUA: Like Us Rebecca File, Jack Ewers, Sam Herreid
2012 Public Service Announcement, 60 seconds or less, single entry, student division Good Hygiene Luke Soren Nielsen, Meghan Packee, Eli Barry-Garland
2012 Radio, Best Sports News Story, Student Division Overtime Sports News Michael Ives, Steve Morrow
2012 Best Promotional Announcement, 60 seconds of less, single entry MC Sonny Golden Station ID MC Sonny Golden
2012 Best Radio Show, Student Division General Protection Fault Jeremy Smith, Ivan Baird
2012 Radio, Entertainment Program, Student Division KSUA Takeout: Laura Gibson Brady Gross, Rebecca File
2014 Radio, Best Entertainment Feature, Student Division Netherlands in Alaska Jack O'Malley
2015 Student Radio, Best Promotional Announcement Valentine's Day Party Jack Ewers
2018 Student Radio, Best Radio Show Critical Hits Luke Soren Nielsen, Rachel Elmer, Amelia Cooper, Josh Tullar
2020 Student Radio, Best Profile Speaking of Anthropology: Interview with Dr. Eske Willerslev Kevin Huo (Host), Dillon McIntire (Host), Eske Willerslev (Guest)
2021 Student Radio, Best Profile Two Peas in the Snow Juancruz Montalvo Rivas (Host), Kristin Gadow (Host)
2023 Student Radio, Entertainment Program Afrovibes with SONOFUCHE Malachi Uche (Host), Moody Pierce (Editor), Kevin Huo (Additional Editing)
2023 Student Radio, Profile Desert Crossing - Applying to an MFA in Creative Writing: One Accepted Student's Story Aaron Salzman (Host), Courtney Skaggs (Guest)
2023 Student Radio, Promotional Announcement KSUA Station Bumper - Station Ghost Moody Pierce (Writer, Voice), Kjrsten Schindler (Voice), Wetherleigh Griffin (voice)
2023 Student Radio, Profile Desert Crossing - Applying to an MFA in Creative Writing: One Accepted Student's Story Aaron Salzman (Host), Courtney Skaggs (Guest)
2023 Student Radio, Public Service Announcement KSUA Submissions PSA Moody Pierce (Writer, Voice)
2023 Student Radio, Use of Digital Media Desert Crossing: A Guide to Recommendation Letters (Academic Focused) Aaron Salzman (Host)

Radiostar Awards by Radio Flag

Year Category Name
Spring 2012 Best Talk Show General Protection Fault
Spring 2012 Best Sports Show Overtime
Spring 2013 Best Music Show Atlas Rocked
Spring 2015 Best Music Show MakoBeats

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KSUA". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ UAF Constitution Hall http://www.alaska.edu/uajourney/buildings/constitution-hall-(uaf)/
  3. ^ KUAC move 1971 https://news.uaf.edu/kuac-marks-40-years-since-first-television-broadcast
  4. ^ Huisingh, Raechyk (January 27, 2014). "Looking back: KSUA over the years". UAF Sun Star. pp. 1 and 5. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  5. ^ The Journal of College Radio, Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, Inc., October 1972 Page 24
  6. ^ "Low Power Radio - General Information". Federal Communications Commission. December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  7. ^

    FCC History Cards for KSWD (former KMPS-FM)

  8. ^ "KMPS Data". The Journal of College Radio (October 1972): 24.
  9. ^ "STUDENT MEDIA, INC., AK Nonprofit Corporation, Formed 1/21/1983". Corporation Details. State of Alaska. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c Huisingh, Raechyk (January 27, 2014). "Looking back: KSUA over the years". UAF Sun Star. p. 5. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  11. ^ Kaynor, Carol. "Glen "Glenner" Anderson". Alaska Sea Grant Week 2012. Alaska Sea Grant - NOAA. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  12. ^ Morrow, Weston (August 13, 2013). "Evans, Anderson to lead Fairbanks United Way campaign". newsminer.com. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "10 Questions with ... Jamie Canfield October 10, 2011". allaccess.com. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  14. ^ UAF Moore Residence Hall http://www.alaska.edu/uajourney/buildings/moore-hall/
  15. ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 25, 1982. p. 106. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  16. ^ Jones, Patricia (August 27, 1995). "College, commercial stations propose frequency swap". p. D-1. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  17. ^ Musings about college radio and independent music - November 14, 2008, Interview with Matthew Schroder, who worked years as a staffer and now is the new general manager of KSUA-FM "Spinning Indie 50 State Tour: Stop 5 - Alaska Station KSUA". spinningindie.blogspot.com. Spinning Indie. November 14, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  18. ^ KSUA dominates student division of Alaska Broadcasters Association awards, which has existed since 2001 https://www.uafsunstar.com/issue-12-ksua-awards/
  19. ^ 2012 MTV College Radio Woodie Award [1]
  20. ^ 2013 MTV College Radio Woodie Award [2] Retrieved November 8, 2017
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