KTSN (AM)

KTSN (1060 AM) is a daytimer radio station licensed to Lockhart, Texas, and serving the Austin metropolitan area. It is owned by Township Media, LLC, a non-profit organization. KTSN broadcasts a hybrid Adult Album Alternative / Americana radio format, branded as "Sun Radio." The studios and offices are on Manchaca Road in Austin. Sun Radio seeks listener donations on the air and on its website.

For the airport in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, assigned ICAO code KFIT, see Fitchburg Municipal Airport.
For 1490 AM in Austin, Texas (2017–2022), see KJFK (AM).
KTSN
Broadcast areaAustin metropolitan area
Frequency1060 kHz
BrandingSun Radio
Programming
FormatAdult Album Alternative - Americana
Ownership
Owner
  • Daryl O'Neal
  • (Township Media, LLC)
See § Repeaters, KJFK
History
First air date
March 15, 1967 (1967-03-15)
Former call signs
  • KHRB (1966–1973)
  • KCLT (1973–1983)
  • KHJK (1983–1988)
  • KFIT (1988–2022)
Call sign meaning
K T S u N
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID34430
ClassD
Power2,000 watts days only
Transmitter coordinates
30°19′13″N 97°38′59″W
Repeater(s)See § Repeaters
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.sunradio.com

KTSN broadcasts at 2,000 watts. But 1060 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A stations XEEP Mexico City and KYW Philadelphia. So KTSN must go off the air at night to avoid interference. Programming is heard on a network of FM translators and repeater stations around Texas Hill Country.

Mission

Sun Radio's mission, according to the website, is to preserve the culture of Texas music with a minimal impact on the environment. It helps foster new radio broadcasting careers for the residents of the Texas Hill Country and provides 24-hour a day, free local radio for communities in Central Texas.

Proceeds from donations are used to expand local programming, in the creation of local jobs, as support for other non-profit organizations, to broadcast local musicians and events, and in funding new capital projects to maintain its network of radio stations.

History

The station signed on the air on March 15, 1967 (March 15, 1967). The original call sign was KHRB. It was owned by Heath–Reasoner Broadcasters (Dan Heath of Lockhart and Marion Reasoner of Fort Worth) and operated with 250 watts, days only.[2] Radio Caldwell County acquired the station in 1973 and changed the call sign to KCLT.[3] Triple R Broadcasting purchased it in 1979.[4]

The station was assigned the call letters KHJK on November 8, 1983. On February 9, 1988, the station changed its call sign to KFIT.[5]

The station operated as a 250-watt daytimer located in Lockhart for many years. Mike Venditti, working with consultant Don Werlinger (one time principal of KFCC Bay City, Texas) worked to relocate the station to the 3-tower, 2,000-watt operation it is today. Upon moving closer to Austin, the station adopted a Christian talk and teaching format.[6] It later aired an Urban Gospel format.

On May 29, 2022, following the acquisition of KFIT by Township Media, KFIT began originating the adult album alternative and Americana "Sun Radio" format previously found on KTSN 1490 AM (now KJFK). The station fed FM translator K261DW 100.1 FM, among other Sun Radio signals.[7] AM 1060 and AM 1490 swapped call signs on June 3, 2022.

Repeaters

Sun Radio rebroadcasts on numerous FM outlets, including translator stations, plus a low power (LP) station and an HD radio subchannel, all located around Central Texas. Most are owned by the Sun Radio Network or a co-owned subsidiary. KDRP-LP 103.1 MHz in Dripping Springs is owned by Principle Broadcasting Foundation. Sun Radio also leases the HD3 subchannel of KLZT 107.1 in Bastrop, which is owned by Sinclair Telecable Inc. and operates under the name Waterloo Media.

There is also a service agreement to provide underwriting sales for KOWO-LP 104.1 MHz, in Wimberley, operating as Wimberley Texan Radio. Mary López owns a translator associated with this station before its switch to Sun Radio.

Location Frequency Call sign Effective radiated power Height above average terrain Ownership Notes
Austin, Texas100.1 MHzK261DW99 watts373.8 meters (1,226 ft)Sun Radio Network
San Marcos, Texas99.9 MHzK260CB250 watts46.8 meters (154 ft)Sun Radio Network
Luckenbach, Texas106.9 MHzK295CK62 watts94 meters (308 ft)Sun Radio Network
Dripping Springs, Texas103.1 MHzKDRP-LP5 watts137 meters (449 ft)Principle Broadcasting Foundation
Blowout, Texas88.9 MHzKTSN-FM125 watts135 meters (443 ft)Sun Radio Network
Gonzales, Texas88.1 MHzKCTI-FM1,300 watts117 meters (384 ft)Sun Radio Network
Mason, Texas104.1 MHzKMSN-FM25,000 watts96 meters (315 ft)Sun Radio Network
Bastrop, Texas107.1 MHzKLZT-HD349,000 watts152 meters (499 ft)Waterloo Media GroupSun Radio Network leases the HD3 subchannel.


References
  1. "Facility Technical Data for KTSN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "Radio Station KHRB Signs On in Lockhart". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. March 15, 1967. p. 11. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. FCC History Cards for KTSN
  4. "Radio station changes hands". Lockhart Post-Register. Lockhart, Texas. April 5, 1979. p. 6. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "KTSN Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  6. Herndon, John (May 28, 1989). "New Christian-information station does the talking". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. p. Show World 16. Retrieved July 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Jack Arrives To Challenge Bob In Austin". RadioInsight. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-29.


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