KTPI-FM

Infobox Radio station
name = KTPI-FM


city = Mojave, California
area = Antelope Valley
branding = "97-7 KTPI"
slogan = "The High Desert's Best Country"
airdate = 1985
frequency = 97.7 FM (MHz)
format = Country
erp = 3,000 watts
haat = 91 meters
class = A
facility_id = 2320
callsign_meaning = K T ehacha p i (Town name where the format's original 103.1 signal is located)
former_callsigns = KDOL-FM (prior to 8/15/85)
KAVS (8/15/85-6/4/90)
KHXT(6/4/90-6/8/90)
KAVS(6/8/90-8/9/00)
KVVS(8/9/00-12/21/07)
KOSS(12/21/07-1/2/08)
owner = Clear Channel Communications
licensee = Aloha Station Trust, LLC, As Trustee
sister_stations = KTPI, KVVS, KSRY and KAVL
webcast = [http://www.ktpi.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html Listen Live]
website = http://www.ktpi.com/
affiliations = KTPI-FM (97.7 FM, "97-7 KTPI") is a country music formatted radio station serving the Antelope Valley region of Southern California.

History

The 97.7 frequency originally went on the air as KDOL-FM as a simulcast of KDOL (AM) with a country format. In 1984, the simulcast was split and 97.7 began operating an automated Top 40 format. That format continued when, in 1986, Chambers Broadcasting purchased KDOL-AM/FM; since Chambers also owned 103.1 KTPI, and FCC rules at the time prohibited ownership of more than one AM and one FM station per market, 97.7 was spun off to Antelope Broadcasting, which owned KAVL. Antelope changed the call letters to KAVS and adopted the slogan "Hot 97" two years later. In 1997, KAVS began simulcasting with newly acquired 105.3 KYHT in Yermo and became known as "High Desert Modern Rock 97.7 & 105.3". In 1998, Antelope Broadcasting was bought out by Jacor Communications and KAVS/KYHT flipped from its modern rock format to Top 40. They began simulcasting 102.7 KIIS-FM in Los Angeles much of the time and in the early days did many local on air events in the Antelope Valley and Barstow area.

The grouping of 102.7 FM KIIS in Los Angeles, 1220 AM KIIS in Santa Clarita, 97.7 FM KAVS in the Antelope Valley, 105.3 FM KYHT in Barstow/Victor Valley, and 101.9 FM KFMS in Las Vegas created a nearly continuous coverage of KIISFM between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, 101.9 in Las Vegas was branded as "KISS" instead of "KIIS".

After the Clear Channel/Jacor merge, the KAVS/KYHT simulcast was broken apart. KYHT's operations were transferred to the Victorville, California office, and continued with the "KIISFM" format for 2 years before KYHT went to simulcast KZXY "Y102" in Victorville. As a result of KYHT's format flip, 101.9 KISSFM in Las Vegas changed to all local programming for a brief time, but eventually changed formats altogether. KAVS changed its callsign to KVVS and as time progressed, 97.7 became less and less involved in the community, eventually discontinued all local programming and became a full time simulcast of 102.7 KIIS-FM but with local advertisements. 97.7 KIIS-FM's website eventually just became a redirect to 102.7's website.

In 2006, KVVS moved its antenna off of the pole at the top of the tower onto the southern face of the tower, giving it a directional signal to the south, providing a stronger signal to the Antelope Valley, but eliminating coverage in cities to the north, as well as eliminating a short-spacing with 97.7 KSMJ in Bakersfield, California. Although this was apparently done without FCC authorization, no punitive actions were taken against the station. The antenna move was part of an agreement with Adelman Broadcasting so that the latter could move 103.9 KEDD down from Ridgecrest, California and onto the top of the tower with a 6000 watt signal, but KEDD ended up moving onto the adjacent tower instead and 97.7's antenna still remains on the southern face of the tower.

On December 21, 2007, the simulcast of KIIS and the KVVS call letters were moved to 105.5 in Rosamond (formerly "105.5 The Oasis"). The call letters KOSS from 105.5 FM were moved to 97.7 FM and the country format from 103.1 FM was moved to 97.7 FM, while 103.1 FM in Tehachapi became a simulcast of Star 98.7 in Los Angeles, California. While 97.7's format is branded as "97-7 KTPI", the KTPI call letters still resided at 103.1 in Tehachapi until January 2, 2008 when the call letters were swapped. The KOSS call letters were moved to 103.1 in Tehachapi for a brief time, until January 10, 2008 when the call letters were changed to KSRY.

Programming

Notable programming on this station includes the "Big D and Bubba" morning show, program director Shannon Smith on mid-days, Mike Bell on afternoon drive, syndicated host Whitney Allen on nights, and "After Midnite with Blair Garner" on overnights. Notable weekend programming includes "Crook and Chase", Dave Phillips, Cadillac Jack, and Ramblin' Ray.

External links

* [http://www.ktpi.com 97-7 KTPI official website]
*FMQ|KTPI
*FML|KTPI
*FMARB|KTPI