KTAO ("KTAOS 101.9") is a

solar-powered Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Photovoltaic cells convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic ef ...

radio station Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radi ...

licensed to serve

Taos, New Mexico Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Initially founded in 1615, it was intermittently occupied until its formal establishment in 1795 by Nuevo México Governor Fernando C ...

. The station is owned by Taos Communications Corporation. It airs an

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music format. The station was assigned the KTAO call letters by the

Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisd ...

on October 6,

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. The station is an affiliate of the syndicated

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

program "

Floydian Slip ''Floydian Slip'' is a weekly, one-hour syndicated radio program produced by Random Precision Media LLC (RPM), exclusively devoted to the music and history of the British rock band Pink Floyd. The show has an affiliate base of around one hundred ...

Radio

History

KTAO (1968-1974), Los Gatos, CA

KTAO

95.3 FM The following radio stations broadcast on FM frequency 95.3 MHz: Argentina * 95.3 Ayacucho in Ayacucho, Buenos Aires * Acción * Atlántida in Buenos Aires * Cadena Vida in San Juan * Capital in Corrientes * Cielo in Posadas, Misiones ...

, was an FM station in Los Gatos, owned by former Random House editor, Bill Ryan, and

Lorenzo Milam Lorenzo Wilson Milam, born on August 2, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida; died on July 19, 2020 in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico, was an American writer and activist who was instrumental in starting many of the first listener-supported community ...

K-TAOS 101.9FM, Taos, NM

KTAO’s transmitter was in the town of Taos prior to 1991. Following FCC approval to increase to 1,200 watts, a new transmitter site was needed. A new transmitter was located at 10,800-foot Picuris Peak, which does not have grid power. According to former owner Brad Hockmeyer, solar power was the only option. The high-altitude location of its transmitter gives KTAO

rimshot A rimshot is a percussion technique used to produce an accented snare drum backbeat. The sound is produced by simultaneously hitting the rim and head of a drum with a drum stick. The sound and various techniques The sound of rimshots can ...

broadcast coverage from as far south as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and north into southern Colorado. This broadcast area is the largest of any solar-powered station in the world. On June 8, 2010, Brad Hockmeyer sold KTAO and the Solar Center to Aidan Bain, gaining controlling interest of KTAOS Solar Radio 101.9 FM, and the KTAOS Solar Center, a full bar, restaurant, and music venue attached to the operating radio station office building. KTAO is the largest solar powered radio station in the United States.

Awards

New Mexico Broadcasters Association (2011) NMBA Station of the Year Public Service Announcement: “Holiday Shop Local Campaign” Station Promotional Announcement: “Testimonial Campaign” Complete Newscast: Paddy Mac in the Mornings Single Topic News: Brad Hockmeyer interview with Tom Udall 30 Second Commercial: “Gay Pride Taos – Gayest Dog Wash EVER” 30 Second Commercial: “Taos Solar Music Festival 2010” NonSports Talk Show: Paddy Mac in the Mornings Valentine’s Day Matchmaking Sports Talk Show: Tigerbeat Best of Taos (2011) Best DJ: Paddy Mac Best Live Music Venue: The KTAOS Solar Center

Solar Center

The KTAO studio offices are located five miles north of the town of Taos in El Prado. Outside the studio and offices is a festival-style performance venue that includes a tent that allows KTAO to host events year-round. The site is located equidistant from Taos Ski Valley and the Historic Town Center, and beneath the tallest peak in New Mexico. The concert space adjoins the home of two radio stations, solar powered KTAOS 101.9 FM and Luna 103.7 FM. Food services are available to concert-goers.

References

External links

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Allaccess.comFmqb.comAllaccess.com
* * * {{TaosNM Radio

TAO ''Tao'' or ''Dao'' is the natural order of the universe, whose character one's intuition must discern to realize the potential for individual wisdom, as conceived in the context of East Asian philosophy, East Asian religions, or any other phil ...

Adult album alternative radio stations in the United States Mass media in Taos, New Mexico Radio stations established in 1991 Taos County, New Mexico 1991 establishments in New Mexico Solar power in New Mexico