NM public radio networks

[Mark Roberts]

While in New Mexico last month, I developed a bit of an obsession with all the public radio networks emanating from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I recorded their full IDs, including translators as well as full-service repeaters, usually at 1 pm daily, and then, upon returning home, expanded that to include the other two state universities that are running repeater and translator networks. So here's a list of their repeaters and translators. National networkers such as EMF, Family Life Radio, VCY, are not included since they are not strictly New Mexico-oriented.

While it appears that Gallup Public Radio (KGLP, an NPR member station) is beginning to build out a network in western New Mexico and eastern Arizona, only KGLP is currently on the air; thus not included here.

KANW, KUNM, KENW, and KRWG are NPR member stations. Note that Las Vegas gets service from repeaters or translators for 3 of the 4.

KANW (main channel) Albuquerque Public Schools
89.1 C KANW Albuquerque
91.1 A KEDP Las Vegas (CP for power increase)
88.1 A KIDS Grants
88.1 A KGGA Gallup (CP for C3)
91.9 A KANR Santa Rosa
88.7 C3 KXNM Encino (not owned by APS)
106.9 K295DC Santa Rosa (not owned by APS) (not owned by APS)
107.1 K296EP Santa Rosa (given on ID but does not seem to exist, having become K295DC)

KANW-2
89.1 C KANW-HD2 Albuquerque
90.3 C2 KANM Grants (Mt. Taylor)
107.5 K298BY Albuquerque (not owned by APS)
91.1 K216GQ Española-Santa Fe (CP for C2 licensed to Española)
91.1 K216AW Grants

KUNM University of New Mexico
89.9 C KUNM Albuquerque-Santa Fe
90.9 A KRRT Arroyo Seco-Taos
91.9 C3 KRAR Española (does not reach Santa Fe)
91.9 A KRRE Las Vegas
88.7 A KBOM Socorro
91.9 K220EM Nageezi
91.9 K220AV Taos
90.5 K213ET Eagle Nest
91.1 K216CU Cuba

KHFM Classical Public Radio
95.5 C1 KHFM Santa Fe-Albuquerque
98.5 C KABG-HD3 Los Alamos-Albuquerque
95.9 K240CN Ruidoso
103.1 K276ED Roswell
106.3 K292FW Taos

KLYT Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque
88.3 C0 KLYT Albuquerque-Santa Fe
90.7 C3 KNKT Cannon AFB
88.1 K201CC Las Cruces
93.5 K222DQ Portales

KENW Eastern New Mexico University
89.5 C1 KENW-FM Portales
98.7 C1 KMTH Maljamar
88.1 C3 KENE Raton (COL Eagle Tail, which is actually a mountain S of Raton)
88.5 C3 KENU Des Moines
88.5 C3 KENG Ruidoso
88.9 C3 KENM Tucumcari
100.9 C2 KNMJ Eunice (being purchased by ENMU)
91.1 K216BJ Roswell (CP for 90.9 A KENB)
91.7 K219DP Fort Sumner
92.1 K221DM Wagon Mound (CP for 90.5 C2 KENY)
93.5 K228DP Clayton
90.9 K215DT San Augustin-Bernal-Apache Springs
106.1 K291AD Des Moines
88.1 K201IW Las Vegas (CP for 88.1 A KENP)

KRWG New Mexico State University
90.7 C1 KRWG Las Cruces
91.3 C3 KRXG Silver City
89.5 K208AS Alamogordo
93.5 K228DK Deming
91.9 K220AO Lordsburg
91.9 K220AN Truth or Consequences

 

[K6JHU]

New Mexico has the fifth largest land area of any state. But the total population is only 2.1 million. Albuquerque/Santa Fe has close to half of that. The result is that once outside a couple of the metro areas (ABQ, Las Cruces) population is few and far between. To provide adequate coverage a network of auxiliary stations and translators is required. The 100kw FMs on 10,000 foot Sandia Crest (actually about 5000 feet above the valley floor ) barely cover about 1/4 of the land area of the state.

 

[boiseengineer]

Sandia Crest FMs have a max ERP of 22.5 kw derated due to elevation.

 

[Mark Roberts]

A couple of things to point out:

Sandia Crest is relevant only to Albuquerque-based stations. This leaves out KRWG, KENW-FM, and KHFM, which are based elsewhere.

In the case of KHFM, it isn't on Sandia Crest. It's on Peralta Ridge SW of Los Alamos. It still puts in a usable signal into much of Albuquerque proper, but it's not on the Crest, and probably can't go there due to KABQ-FM at 95.1 - which itself is also not on Sandia Crest but instead on the West Mesa, though I think it's east of where the KOAT-TV auxiliary tower was.

Yes, New Mexico is a big and sparsely-populated state. No doubt about that. But coverage of Taos, Las Vegas, Socorro, etc. is essentially a small addition to what was already provided to Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Los Alamos and even Española.

I'll also note that FM coverage from the Crest to Santa Fe can be rather spotty at times, in particular around the central Plaza. Maps tell a lot but sometimes they don't tell the whole story.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

The recent misfortunes of KEDP, KXNM, and now KNMJ has been part of these expansions and perhaps showing the difficulties of keeping non-NPR non-coms operating. Gallup also has KNIZ 90.1 which radio-locator claims is currently off the air which would not be the first time. That could possibly become a satellite of KUNM or KANW-2 before long. KANW also has another CP at 89.5 A in Jarales between Socorro and Belen so thats another expansion.

As to KLYT I think that KPKJ Mentmore near Gallup is also still part of that network. However the translators for KVCN 106.7 were acquired from Calvary a few years ago which previously relayed KLYT across the state when it was a Christian Top-40 format. They also divested 107.1 to BBN a couple years back and consolidated the programs to KLYT so there has been some downsizing there.

KHFM originated at 96.3 and was on Sandia Crest until 2001 after Citadel bought the station in the late 90s and proved that they were only interested in the transmitter on the crest. They persuaded American General Media to take over the format at 95.5 dropping an urban oldies format which proved to be more of a fad at that time. It became a public station in 2017 when AGM went on to acquire most of the Univision stations. I believe it has always been an Albuquerque based station. It's an unusual case in which a commercial broadcaster operates a non-com or least its the first I've heard of. Of course KABG-HD3 does technically put it back on Sandia Crest although you need a special radio to get it.

On a smaller scale there is also KUTE which has a few stations in the four corners but I'm not sure which state they originate from. There is also "Cultural Energy" in Taos at KCEI 90.1 Red River and KCIE 90.5 Dulce. KSFR 101.1 from Santa Fe Community College may be one of the few local non-coms that does not have a network.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

The recent misfortunes of KEDP, KXNM, and now KNMJ has been part of these expansions and perhaps showing the difficulties of keeping non-NPR non-coms operating. Gallup also has KNIZ 90.1 which radio-locator claims is currently off the air which would not be the first time. That could possibly become a satellite of KUNM or KANW-2 before long. KANW also has another CP at 89.5 A in Jarales between Socorro and Belen so thats another expansion.

As to KLYT I think that KPKJ Mentmore near Gallup is also still part of that network. However the translators for KVCN 106.7 were acquired from Calvary a few years ago which previously relayed KLYT across the state when it was a Christian Top-40 format. They also divested 107.1 to BBN a couple years back and consolidated the programs to KLYT so there has been some downsizing there.

KHFM originated at 96.3 and was on Sandia Crest until 2001 after Citadel bought the station in the late 90s and proved that they were only interested in the transmitter on the crest. They persuaded American General Media to take over the format at 95.5 dropping an urban oldies format which proved to be more of a fad at that time. It became a public station in 2017 when AGM went on to acquire most of the Univision stations. I believe it has always been an Albuquerque based station. It's an unusual case in which a commercial broadcaster operates a non-com or least its the first I've heard of. Of course KABG-HD3 does technically put it back on Sandia Crest although you need a special radio to get it.

On a smaller scale there is also KUTE which has a few stations in the four corners but I'm not sure which state they originate from. There is also "Cultural Energy" in Taos at KCEI 90.1 Red River and KCIE 90.5 Dulce. KSFR 101.1 from Santa Fe Community College may be one of the few local non-coms that does not have a network.

I mean if you wanna get technical, legally AGM doesnt operate KHFM.. the American General Media Foundation does, which is.. not oddly enough co located with the AGM commercial stations.

But the question gets asked.. why do they continue to operate KHFM? It is a bit odd.... is there something kepeing them from selling it or doing a commercial format with it?

At one time, WOWL 91.9 and WADI 95.3 Corinth, MS were co owned, per se.

The non comm that owned WOWL was headed by the same people that owned WADI.

WADI was sold to an entirely new company, different from the old one..... but WOWL is still operated together with WADI

 

[Mark Roberts]

I mean if you wanna get technical, legally AGM doesnt operate KHFM.. the American General Media Foundation does, which is.. not oddly enough co located with the AGM commercial stations.

But the question gets asked.. why do they continue to operate KHFM? It is a bit odd.... is there something kepeing them from selling it or doing a commercial format with it?

Due to the number of commercial stations AGM has in the market, KHFM was spun off to the noncommercial foundation. In 2001, AGM stepped in to preserve the format when the original signal in Albuquerque at 96.3 was sold to Citadel. The intellectual property of KHFM was spun off to AGM. The conversion to noncommercial status happened in 2017 when AGM acquired additional stations in the market and went over ownership limits.

At one time, WOWL 91.9 and WADI 95.3 Corinth, MS were co owned, per se.

The non comm that owned WOWL was headed by the same people that owned WADI.

WADI was sold to an entirely new company, different from the old one..... but WOWL is still operated together with WADI

Take a look at Clayton, NM - KLMX, which has an AM and an FM has also set up a noncommercial foundation with several stations in that general region with Christian programming.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Due to the number of commercial stations AGM has in the market, KHFM was spun off to the noncommercial foundation. In 2001, AGM stepped in to preserve the format when the original signal in Albuquerque at 96.3 was sold to Citadel. The intellectual property of KHFM was spun off to AGM. The conversion to noncommercial status happened in 2017 when AGM acquired additional stations in the market and went over ownership limits.


Take a look at Clayton, NM - KLMX, which has an AM and an FM has also set up a noncommercial foundation with several stations in that general region with Christian programming.

it looks like KLMX is owned by a husband and wife, with the fm being commercial and the am running christian programming, i cant find any evidence in a brief search that their programming of the christian am is on any other signals

 

[Mark Roberts]

it looks like KLMX is owned by a husband and wife, with the fm being commercial and the am running christian programming, i cant find any evidence in a brief search that their programming of the christian am is on any other signals

The "educational programming exhibit" that's part of their NCE FM applications (just pick one; this part of the application is the same among all the NCEs) makes it clear they're going to do religious programming among other things. One program featured as part of that exhibit is the utter awfulness of "Focus on the Family".

According to the station's website, Jim McCollum (the husband you refer to) died in 2020; his widow is now running the operation. That same site refers to "Crossroads Christian Radio" (the AM programming) as a 501c3 nonprofit.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

The "educational programming exhibit" that's part of their NCE FM applications (just pick one; this part of the application is the same among all the NCEs) makes it clear they're going to do religious programming among other things. One program featured as part of that exhibit is the utter awfulness of "Focus on the Family".

According to the station's website, Jim McCollum (the husband you refer to) died in 2020; his widow is now running the operation. That same site refers to "Crossroads Christian Radio" (the AM programming) as a 501c3 nonprofit.

Where are you seeing any of that?

I looked here: CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN RADIO
and here: Crossroads Christian Radio

And unless im having a dense moment, i dont see any NCE accompliation exhibits or talk of the husband dying in 2020

 

[Mark Roberts]

The recent misfortunes of KEDP, KXNM, and now KNMJ has been part of these expansions and perhaps showing the difficulties of keeping non-NPR non-coms operating. Gallup also has KNIZ 90.1 which radio-locator claims is currently off the air which would not be the first time. That could possibly become a satellite of KUNM or KANW-2 before long. KANW also has another CP at 89.5 A in Jarales between Socorro and Belen so thats another expansion.

Thanks for the info about Jarales. The 60dBu just touches Socorro but at least provides some I-25 coverage in that whole lot of nuthin' between Belen and Socorro.

As to KLYT I think that KPKJ Mentmore near Gallup is also still part of that network.

It doesn't show up on the KLYT hourly legal IDs - possibly inserted at the transmitter?

However the translators for KVCN 106.7 were acquired from Calvary a few years ago which previously relayed KLYT across the state when it was a Christian Top-40 format. They also divested 107.1 to BBN a couple years back and consolidated the programs to KLYT so there has been some downsizing there.

It surprised me how bad the 107.1 signal was in Albuquerque.

On a smaller scale there is also KUTE which has a few stations in the four corners but I'm not sure which state they originate from.

COL Ignacio, CO

There is also "Cultural Energy" in Taos at KCEI 90.1 Red River and KCIE 90.5 Dulce. KSFR 101.1 from Santa Fe Community College may be one of the few local non-coms that does not have a network.

When I'm back at home I'll have to dig around on this a little more.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Where are you seeing any of that?

I looked here: CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN RADIO
and here: Crossroads Christian Radio

CP amendment for KCCO Clayton, NM: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/d...&id=25076f917d5254f2017d6e3ab31b06ff&goBack=N ; scroll down to "Clayton 340.pdf"

Other applications are for KCCJ Dalhart, TX and KCCZ Boise City, OK.

And unless im having a dense moment, i dont see any NCE accompliation exhibits or talk of the husband dying in 2020

It's on KLMX's home page: Welcome to KLMX Radio!

 

[Kent]

KHFM originated at 96.3 and was on Sandia Crest until 2001 after Citadel bought the station in the late 90s and proved that they were only interested in the transmitter on the crest.

I believe there was a noncompete when Citadel bought 96.3. It dropped the classical format first chance it got. Ironically, classical likely did better than anything that replaced it until the KOB 770 simulcast.

They persuaded American General Media to take over the format at 95.5 dropping an urban oldies format which proved to be more of a fad at that time.

I doubt AGM needed much persuasion to take the KHFM classical format. While I doubt it was making a fortune, the classical format was profitable at the time Citadel got rid of it. Once it decided to start targeting Albuquerque, 95.5 really struggled to gain traction. Being offered a profitable format people would have little trouble finding had to have been a boon.

It surprised me how bad the 107.1 signal was in Albuquerque.

I'm not sure if it was signal related, but I don't think that station ever made money as a commercial operation. During its brief effort at being a commercial station, it had quite a storied history, including a format that didn't even last 48 hours due to transmitter failure. The former KOLT 106 was going to take it over when the transmitter failure happened. It ended up getting together with KRST instead. When 107.1 came back on the air after that fiasco, it became KNKT "The Connection," which I believe was non-commercial from the beginning.

 

[Mark Roberts]

I doubt AGM needed much persuasion to take the KHFM classical format. While I doubt it was making a fortune, the classical format was profitable at the time Citadel got rid of it. Once it decided to start targeting Albuquerque, 95.5 really struggled to gain traction. Being offered a profitable format people would have little trouble finding had to have been a boon.

Given the comparative demographics of Albuquerque and Santa Fe - for example, look at how much real-estate prices diverge between them - Santa Fe may be a more natural "home" for KHFM even if it's still run out of Albuquerque. KHFM has a long and storied history that stands out in a very, very crowded market. But I do have to wonder about its profitability in recent years. It's a curious situation, to say the least.

 

[K6JHU]

The number of announcements on KHFM (licensed to Santa Fe but based in Albuquerque) does not seem to have changed between when they were commercial and now that they are a non-comm. Maybe what they get paid has changed but I get no insight into that. Plus whatever they get from listener donations (they do run low key pledge drives). Their signal on HD-3 is awesome into Albuquerque.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

I believe there was a noncompete when Citadel bought 96.3. It dropped the classical format first chance it got. Ironically, classical likely did better than anything that replaced it until the KOB 770 simulcast.

Yeah everything they did over the next 18 years pretty much flopped. At that time KBQI quickly ended KRSTs' dominance over country radio so they tried to see if they could take on the rock cluster at then-Clear Channel by adding a third classic rock station hoping it might have some impact on 94 Rock which of course it didn't although they did drop classic rock on 104.1 a year later. It was also turned over to the Last Bastion Trust for a few years and the second run at classic rock was a satellite feed which seemed more like a filler format until the trust could return it to now-Cumulus. Nash Icon was often beaten by the 98.1 translator, I don't know if that brand is still being used anywhere. So the quick fix: transplant an already established format from the AM band.

Once it decided to start targeting Albuquerque, 95.5 really struggled to gain traction. Being offered a profitable format people would have little trouble finding had to have been a boon.

95.5 is probably the worst signal for a full powered FM station in Albuquerque. It uses much less power than others signals in the Jemez probably to protect 95.1. But KHFM proved that when you run a format not available elsewhere it can do pretty well and even today it sometimes gets better ratings than some crest stations. 95.5 did country for most of the 80s and 90s and did not appear to do much of anything in Albuquerque but since it lasted so long it must have done well up north. Similarly 106.7 was more Santa Fe focused before AGM took over and 98.5 only had brief success in Albuquerque in 1991 with a rock format but the other formats on there never did that well. 97.7 and 106.3 were new additions so the original AGM cluster really had some challenges with none of their stations having much prior success in Albuquerque. So I can see how taking KHFM made sense and perhaps it did have some payoff.

When 107.1 came back on the air after that fiasco, it became KNKT "The Connection," which I believe was non-commercial from the beginning.

Actually BBN changed it to a non-commercial license two years ago so it looks like Calvary ran it as a commercial station for all those years.