KNAK (AM) explained

KNAK
City:Delta, Utah
Country:US
Area:Central Utah and vicinity
Branding:YAH Radio
Airdate:February 25, 1974 (as KDLT)[1]
Frequency:540 kHz
Format:Talk
Class:D
Facility Id:35207
Licensing Authority:FCC
Coordinates:39.3366°N -112.5566°W
Owner:Patricia Feijo
Licensee:KYAH, LLC

KNAK (540 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a talk format. It is known on air as "YAH Radio". Licensed to serve Delta, Utah, United States, the station is owned by KYAH, LLC.[2]

History

KNAK signed on the air with a license to cover on October 7, 1974, as KDLT. It was owned by Glen S. Gardner, with the transmitter being 1.5 miles southeast of Delta. The station was first licensed as a daytimer, carrying 1,000 watts and signing off at local sunset. In January 1979, the station was sold to L. John Miner.[3]

When 1280 AM in Salt Lake City dropped the KNAK calls, they were picked up by the station in 1979.[4] In the 1980s and 1990s, KNAK carried a country music format.[5] [6]

The station participated in a Guinness World Records activity to celebrate Delta's centennial. The community broke the record for the number of people wearing rabbit ears and hopping in unison.[7]

Beginning in 2009, KNAK (then KYAH) was primarily carrying conservative talk programming.[8] KNAK was simulcast on KHQN, which gave it an improved signal to parts of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area.[9]

As KYAH, the program schedule consisted of an assortment of religious and talk radio programs.[10] KYAH went off the air on October 3, 2022, in anticipation of being sold. On October 13, 2022, James Feijo's DCO Holding, LLC filed an application with the FCC to sell KYAH to Patricia Feijo's KYAH, LLC for $100.00 and the cancellation of outstanding debt.[11] A request for Special Temporary Authority (STA) for the station to remain silent was also filed with the FCC in conjunction with the sale application. The sale was consummated on December 13, 2022, at which point the station changed its call sign to KNAK. In April 2023, the station's tower collapsed, forcing it to go silent again.[12]

The station resumed broadcasting on March 20, 2024, with a website indicating the station was known as "YAH Radio".

Notes and References

  1. News: Radio Station Begins Broadcasting. 1. February 28, 1974. Gunnison Valley News.
  2. Web site: KNAK Facility Record . United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division .
  3. Web site: FCC History Cards for KNAK. United States Federal Communications Commission. May 20, 2024.
  4. Web site: Whatever happened to KNAK and KCPX. Salt Lake Tribune. September 15, 2015. Tom Wharton.
  5. Book: North American Radio Guide 1991. March 1991. 80. W F Innovations, Incorporated . 978-0-9625470-1-0 .
  6. Book: Broadcasting Cablecasting Yearbook. 1988. 285. Broadcasting Publications .
  7. Web site: Culture Vulture: Delta folks strap on the bunny ears and hop to a hare-raising record. Salt Lake Tribune. February 25, 2008. Brandon Griggs.
  8. Web site: New radio network offers unique blend of talk radio. Deseret News. June 17, 2009. Lynn Arave.
  9. Web site: Discover The Conservative Podcast Network. TheConservativePodcastNetwork.com.
  10. Web site: Todd Huff to hit the Utah airwaves. Reporter Times. Amy Hillenburg. July 10, 2018.
  11. Web site: Deal Digest: Seven Mountains Media Picks Up Stations In Seven Pennsylvania Markets. InsideRadio.com. October 13, 2022.
  12. Web site: FCC Report 4-23 Translator transfer nixed for lack of common ownership with AM parent. RadioInsight.com. April 22, 2023.