KSDB-FM

KSDB began as an experiment on the third floor of Nichols Gymnasium in 1949. The first broadcasts began in earnest in March, but KSDB was a commercial station by June. KSDB's commercial status allowed it to be self-supporting. Instead of a tower, the station broadcast over the campus power system. Broadcasting as a wired-wireless (or carrier current) station meant the signals never went more than a few hundred feet from power lines. This was within the maximum distance allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). At this time, the station was a member of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and under the direction of the Speech Department and Prof. George L. Arms.[2]

KSDB initially broadcast at 560 kHz. At this frequency, “practically the only way to hear the station was to sit on the steps of Nichols gym with a portable radio.” The station switched to 660  in December, 1949, which “resulted in a marked improvement in reception.”[2]

Programming for KSDB in the first year went from an hour of music at first, to about four hours of music, talk, and sports by November 2, 1949.[3] The schedules for KSDB and KSAC were printed in the Kansas State Collegian. KSDB was on the air for 6 hours each weekday by November 20, 1950.[4]

A television workshop established in 1948 gave radio-television students experience in another medium. Programs could be televised into two TV classrooms in Nichols Gymnasium.[5]

On March 14, 1949, KSDB went on the air as a wired-wireless (carrier current) AM station, originally at 560 kHz; in December, it changed frequency to 660 kHz.[6] The station became an FM outlet on April 2, 1951, broadcasting with 10 watts at 88.1 MHz, thanks to a transmitter donated by Senator Arthur Capper.[7][8] Wendall Wilson was the first K-State student to broadcast on KSDB.[9]

Nichols Hall

On Friday 13 December 1968, Nichols Gymnasium was burned by arsonists. The fire "completely wiped out" KSDB, along with the Music Department and Physical Education. The only piece of music to survive the fire was the Wabash Cannonball, which became one of K-State's main fight songs. The KSDB disc jockey on the air reportedly said "Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are leaving the air early."

For KSDB, the loss was tremendous. The December 16 Kansas State Collegian quoted then-station manager Kenneth Mroziniski as saying, "We lost a brand new Gage transmitter, Gage board console, New Producer console, two new turntables and two tape recorders." Virginia Howe was head of radio and television at the time. "A writer for the radio version of The Lone Ranger, she lost a near lifetime of documents and records."[10] Lowell Jack was station manager at KMAN-AM and came to KSDB's rescue.

Later that year KSDB moved into the fifth floor of Farrell Library (now Hale Library). The space was provided by Professor Richard Farley, administrator of the library. The 1971 Royal Purple yearbook indicates KSDB was using $70,000 worth of new equipment purchased since April, 1970. The quiet atmosphere of the library was in stark contrast to the bustling radio station. In addition, low ceilings hampered the ability of the television workshop to provide adequate lighting for scenes. KSDB continued to exist in this location until students heard of the planned expansion of the auditorium (to be renamed McCain Auditorium) and lobbied for space. In 1976, KSDB moved into the third floor of McCain Auditorium.

In 1988 the KMAN-AM/KMKF-FM (Manhattan Broadcasting Company) studios on Casement Road caught fire. Representatives from KSDB offered studio space, and KMKF-FM was back on the air in only 12 hours. KMAN-AM took longer to get back on the air. According to Lowell Jack, "They made the offer before firemen had the fire under control." Manhattan Broadcasting employees were using some KSDB equipment that had been donated after the Nichols Fire.[11]

In 1987, KSDB upgraded to a 1,400 watt transmitter which is still in use today. KAKE-TV in Wichita donated a tower for the transmitter. KSDB purchased automation equipment in 1997 which allowed it to broadcast 24 hours per day.

KSDB officially moved into its new studio in the K-State Student Union on July 1, 2002 under the leadership of Candace Walton. The studio was fitted with all-new digital equipment. There are litany of people who have attributed to the success of this college radio station. In the spring of 2013, KSDB was awarded 14 undergraduate radio awards, the most awarded to any institution in the state. In the fall of 2015 KSDB moved back to McCain due to the renovations at the K-State Student Union, which is where the main studio and offices remain, while an open mic is set up in the Union Studios.