KPBS-FM

KPBS-FM

San Diego, California United States
Broadcast area	San Diego County
Frequency	89.5MHz(HD Radio)
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Public radio–talk radio
Subchannels	HD2: Classical music (Classical 24) HD3:Downtempo–Chillout
Affiliations	National Public Radio American Public Media Public Radio Exchange BBC World Service
Ownership
Owner	San Diego State University
Sister stations	KPBS
History
First air date	September 12, 1960(1960-09-12)
Former call signs	KEBS-FM (1960–1970)
Call signmeaning	Public Broadcasting Service(affiliation of sisterTV station)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	58823
Class	B
ERP	26,000 watts
HAAT	208.5 meters (684 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	32°50′17″N117°14′57″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Website	www.kpbs.org/radio/
Satellite station
KQVO
Calexico, California
Broadcast area	Imperial County, California
Frequency	97.7MHz(HD Radio)
History
First air date	March 1984(1984-03)
Technical information
Facility ID	8175
Class	A
ERP	6,000 watts
HAAT	93 meters (305 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	32°40′48″N115°25′36″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS

KPBS-FM(89.5MHz) is anon-commercial,listener-supported,public radiostation inSan Diego, California.It is owned bySan Diego State Universityas part ofKPBS Public Media,and is asister stationtoPBSmemberKPBS-TV(channel 15). The two outlets share studios at The Conrad Prebys Media Complex in Copley Center on Campanile Drive, part of the SDSU campus.

KPBS-FM is aClass Bstation. It has aneffective radiated power(ERP) of 26,000 watts. The station'stransmitteris onMount SoledadinLa Jolla.In addition, KPBS-FM issimulcaston two other transmitters: 89.1 MHzK206ACin La Jolla, and on 97.7 MHzKQVOinCalexico.

Programming

KPBS-FM and KQVO have apublic radionews-talkformat.Weekdays begin withMorning EditionfromNational Public Radio,with local news updates from the KPBS-FM staff. Most of the other programs are also supplied by NPR and other public radio networks:All Things Considered,Marketplace,Fresh Air,1A,Here and NowandThe World.Monday through Thursday, KPBS-FM produces a one-hour San Diego-focused interview and call-in show,Midday Edition,hosted by Jade Hindmon. It airs live at noon and is repeated at 8 p.m.

Weekends feature one-hour specialty shows on a variety of topics:The Moth Radio Hour,This American Life,Latino USA,A Way with Words,Snap Judgment,Travel with Rick Steves,Hidden Brain,It's Been A Minute,Reveal,Throughline,Freakonomics Radio,The TED Radio Hour,Code SwitchandWait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.Overnight, theBBC World Serviceis heard.

History

Early years

The stationsigned onthe air on September 12, 1960(1960-09-12).The originalcall signwas KEBS-FM. It was owned by what was then San Diego State College. KEBS-FM was acollege radiostation, used for students to train for careers in broadcasting. In its first decade, the station was powered at 2,000 watts, a fraction of its current output.

It changed its call letters to the current KPBS-FM in 1970. WhenNational Public Radiowas launched in 1971, KPBS-FM became one of the network's three charter members in California, along withKCRWin Los Angeles andKQED-FMin San Francisco. KPBS-FM was one of the 90 stations that aired the initial broadcast ofAll Things Consideredwhen it premiered on May 3, 1971.

Adding KQVO

In 2005, San Diego State University bought a commercial FM radio station in an underserved part ofSouthern California.It paid $1.1 million for 97.7 KQVO, a Class A station in Calexico.KQVO first signed on the air in March 1984. Over the years, it aired a variety of formats.

KPBS-FM wanted to give Imperial County its first public radio station. KQVO began simulcasting KPBS-FM, airing news, talk and NPR programming. The station switched to non-commercial status.

From Classical to News/Talk

KPBS-FM primarily played classical music until mid-1990s, when it started adding more NPR programs and news to its format. The wake-up broadcastMorning Editionwas put on the schedule along with midday talk shows includingFresh Air.Beginning May 23, 2011, the station discontinued its classical music programming in the evening hours and moved all music to an onlinestream.When it began broadcasting usingHD Radiotechnology, KPBS-FM added a full time classical music subchannel.

In 2009, the radio, TV and digital news operations were merged into a single content-producing division. This allowed KPBS to produce television and radio news simultaneously.

San Diego wildfires

TheCalifornia wildfires of October 2007in the San Diego area affected KPBS broadcasts. Power was lost to the tower shared by KPBS-FM and KPBS-TV onMount San Miguel.

Within three hours,alternative rockstation 94.9KBZTagreed to air KPBS' wildfire coverage until the station could return to a backup operation from its studios on theSan Diego State Universitycampus, which occurred the next day. KPBS later restored full coverage from Mount San Miguel using abackup generator.

On October 1, 2012, KPBS boosted itseffective radiated powerfrom 2,700 watts to 26,000 watts. It also moved its tower from San Miguel Mountain toMount Soledad.

HD subchannels and streaming

Presently, KPBS has threeHD Radiochannels. KPBS-HD1 is a digital simulcast of the main analog channel that airsNPRnews and talk shows. KPBS-HD2 airs "Classical San Diego", featuring music from thesyndicatedClassical 24service. KPBS-HD3 offersSomaFM's syndicated "Groove Salad" format.

The KPBS Radio Reading Service broadcasts the readings of newspapers, books, and magazines to those with low vision, blindness, and other impairments. The Reading Service is available 24 hours a day over a private audio channel, and online via audio webstream.

Former logo

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 6124 (KPBS)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
• KPBSinNielsen Audio's FM station database
• FCC History Cards for KPBS-FM
• Facility details for Facility ID 8175 (KQVO)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
• KQVOinNielsen Audio's FM station database
• KPBS-FM stays on air, with help
• NPR: KPBS Radio Covers Wildfires Using Many Sources