KNDF (AM)

KNDF (1560 AM) was a radio station licensed to Daingerfield, Texas. The station previously operated as a Southern Gospel and Christian Country format. KNDF was owned by Network Communications Company.[1]

DKNDF
CityDaingerfield, Texas
Frequency1560 AM (kHz)
First air date1967 (as KEGG)
Last air dateDecember 16, 2018 (as KNGR)
FormatDefunct
Power1,500 watts day
60 watts night
ClassD
Facility ID48311
Former call signsKEGG (1967-2004)
KNGR (2004-2018)
KNDF (2018-2019)
OwnerNetwork Communications Company

History

KNDF began broadcasting activities as a 1000 watt daytime only facility in 1967 as KEGG. Charlie Monk, who had been on staff at 1240 KOCA in Kilgore, Texas, became one of the original owners. Originally a country station, the station has been programmed with various formats, in both English and Spanish languages, during its lifetime. In the early 2000's, KEGG was granted and received a License to operate an FM translator at 91.1 MHz. After the translator was found to be originating its own programming, as opposed to rebroadcasting the main signal from 1560, the translator's license was revoked.

Network Communications purchased KEGG in 2004 and completely rebuilt the facilities. Upon relaunch, KEGG's longtime call letters were replaced and KNGR was born. Standing for KiNG Country Radio, the format was changed to Gospel and Christian Country with Bob Wilson, who had programmed and jocked radio stations for over 60 years, at the helm. "King Country Radio" would soon find a loyal listener base and serve Daingerfield with a family friendly Christian based radio station.

The success of KNGR would not last. Bob Wilson, who was advanced in age, began to have health concerns. This led to several periods of silence for KNGR, beginning in 2010. In addition, co-channel KILE in Bellaire, Texas was given approval to increase power to 46,000 watts in 2007, beaming a healthy portion of its signal directly towards East Texas. Once KILE signed on, KNGR was all but lost outside of Daingerfield itself. Ultimately, Bob Wilson would pass away in October 2012. KNGR would remain silent or be subjected to interference from the Bellaire station from that point forward. For nearly 3 years, KNGR would broadcast the minimal requirement to maintain the facility license.

On July 19, 2013, KNGR would finally return to regular broadcasting activities, although most of the programming was recorded material from the late Bob Wilson.

Network Communications would again file to take the facility silent on December 16, 2018, in a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission requesting Special Temporary Authority to remain silent due to the transmission site suffering extensive damage to the antenna system due to vandalism and copper theft, as well as the antenna's tuning unit being stripped and a large portion of the coaxial transmission line being cut and stolen.

On December 24, 2018, KNGR changed its call letters to KNDF, 8 days after going silent.

At the time, station ownership announced that KNDF would air a Classic Country format once the station returned to broadcasting. The facility had until December 17, 2019 at 12:01 AM CDT to return to normal operations or the license would automatically expire by Federal law.

The Licensee did not meet the deadline to return KNDF to its licensed operational parameters, resulting in a letter being sent by the F.C.C. to Network Communications on February 10, 2020, advising the Licensee of the license expiration and subsequent facility deletion for remaining off the air for more than one calendar year. [2]

References
  1. KNDF fcc.gov. Accessed December 19, 2013
  2. http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=93939


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.