KTAO

Infobox Radio station
name = KTAO


city = Taos, New Mexico
area =
branding = "K-TAOS 101.9"
slogan = "World Famous Solar Radio"
airdate =
frequency = 101.9 MHz
format = Album Adult Alternative
erp = 1,200 watts
haat = 852 meters (2797 feet)
class = C1
facility_id = 64602
coordinates = coord|36|14|48|N|105|39|15|W
callsign_meaning = TAOS
former_callsigns = KXRT, KVNM
owner = Taos Communications Corporation
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast = [http://www.customchannels.net/Players/ASX/KTAO.asx Listen Live]
website = http://www.ktao.com/
affiliations =

KTAO (101.9 FM, "K-TAOS 101.9") is a radio station licensed to serve Taos, New Mexico. The station is owned by Taos Communications Corporation. It airs an Album Adult Alternative music format. [http://www1.arbitron.com/sip/displaySip.do?srvy_id=WI08&surveyID=WI08&band=fm&callLetter=KTAO Winter 2008 Station Information Profile] - Arbitron] The station's transmitter is powered by an array of 140 photovoltaic panels.

The station was assigned the KTAO call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on October 6, 1986. [http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=64602&Callsign=KTAO Call Sign History] - FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database]

History

KTAO’s transmitter was in the town of Taos prior to 1991, but following FCC approval to increase to 1,200 watts, a new transmitter site was needed. The best location for a new transmitter was 10,800-foot Picuris Peak, which didn't have, and still doesn't have, grid power. According to owner Brad Hockmeyer, solar power was the only option. The high-altitude location of its transmitter gives KTAO broadcast coverage from as far south as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and north into southern Colorado. This broadcast area is the largest of any solar-powered station in the world.Diddlebock, Bob. - [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1541265,00.html "Still Tuned In"] - "TIME Magazine" - October 9, 2006] [http://ktao.com/home.php?page=mediaPage MediaPage] - KTAO-FM]

Programming

KTAO’s music format is Adult Album Alternative (AAA). The reggae show "Roots and Wires" and "Sonido del Sol", which plays Latin dance music, are some of the popular locally-produced specialty music shows. KTAO also airs syndicated programming such as "Little Steven’s Underground Garage", the "Putumayo World Music Hour", and the "House of Blues Hour". Weekday mornings, Nancy Stapp hosts the news and community affairs show, "Breakfast With Nancy".

2008 New Mexico Broadcasters Association Awards

Nancy Stapp won the NMBA Best Newscaster award and her show "Breakfast With Nancy" won the NMBA award for Best Talk Show.

olar Center Music Venue

The KTAO studio offices are located five miles north of the town of Taos. Outside the studio and offices is a festival-style performance venue, that includes a large, heated tent that allows KTAO to host events year-round. Angelique Kidjo, Little Feat, Billy Bob Thornton, the Subdudes and many others performed at the Solar Center in 2007.

References

External links

* [http://www.ktao.com/ KTAO official website]
*FMQ|KTAO
*FML|KTAO
*FMARB|KTAO