KUAZ and KUAZ-FM are
public radio stations in
Tucson, Arizona, owned by the
University of Arizona. KUAZ transmits on 1550
kHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that on ...
on the AM dial, and KUAZ-FM is at 89.1
MHz on the FM dial. The stations
simulcast a
radio format of news and information, as a member of
National Public Radio. KUAZ-AM-FM carry such popular NPR shows as "
All Things Considered," "
Morning Edition," "
1A" and "
Fresh Air with Terry Gross."
By day, 1550 KUAZ is powered at 50,000
watts, the maximum for AM stations. But because
1550 AM
The following radio stations broadcast on AM frequency 1550 kHz: 1550 AM is a clear-channel frequency reserved for Canada. Class A CBEF in Windsor, Ontario, broadcasts on 1550 kHz. Clear-channel status had also been shared with XHRUV in Ja ...
is a
clear channel frequency reserved for Mexico and Canada, KUAZ is a
daytimer, required to go off the air at night to avoid interference. The
transmitter is off
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 (I-10) is the southernmost cross-country highway in the American Interstate Highway System. I-10 is the fourth-longest Interstate in the United States at , following I-90, I-80, and I-40. This freeway is part of the originally pl ...
near the Tucson Premium Outlets Mall in
Marana. KUAZ-FM has an
effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,600
watts. The FM transmitter is on Tumamoc Hill Road in Tucson.
Programming is also heard on KUAS-FM at 88.9 MHz in
Sierra Vista, as well as two
FM translators that fill in service gaps around Tucson and Southeastern Arizona.
History
As a
construction permit
Planning permission or developmental approval refers to the approval needed for construction or expansion (including significant renovation), and sometimes for demolition, in some jurisdictions. It is usually given in the form of a building perm ...
, 1550 AM began as KSWC, but changed its
call sign to KFIF before
signing on the air on . It was owned by the Southwest Broadcasting Corporation.
In 1967, John B. Walton, who had bought KFIF in 1965, also bought a station at 580 AM, which he would christen
KIKX
KIKX (104.7 FM, "104.7 BOB FM") is a commercial radio station located in Ketchum, Idaho, broadcasting to the Twin Falls, Idaho area. KIKX airs an adult hits music format. On September 7, 2009, KIKX evolved from classic rock to adult hits ...
. The station on 580 could operate 24 hours a day. Walton then donated 1550 AM to the University of Arizona. The station became KUAT on October 7, 1968. KUAT initially had a format of
classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...
and
jazz. When
KUAT-FM went on the air in 1975, the FM played all classical music and the AM went all jazz.
The U of A put 89.1 FM on the air in Sierra Vista on April 27, 1992. It took the call sign KUAZ-FM, so as to distinguish itself from KUAT-FM. The AM station adopted the KUAZ calls on August 11, 2000.
Repeaters
On October 11, 2018, after an 11-year process, KUAS-FM 88.9 came to air for the first time, broadcasting to Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson, Huachuca City, and Douglas. Previously, Sierra Vista received KUAZ via translator K217GI (91.3 MHz).
A second translator, K283DC at 104.5 MHz, fills service gaps in the Catalina and Saddlebrooke areas to the north of Tucson and began operating in 2019.
References
External links
KUAZ official website
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{{Daytime-only radio stations in Arizona
NPR member stations
UAZ
Radio stations established in 1961
1961 establishments in Arizona
UAZ
University of Arizona
UAZ