Abilene's NPR radio station, KACU, will make a historic change to expand its broadcast coverage area. Its FM radio frequency will change from 89.7 to 89.5 on March 15.
"This is the first time many of the communities surrounding Abilene will hear the high-quality news programming of KACU," said Nathan Gibbs, KACU general manager.
The overall reach of KACU will increase 66 percent from 1,398 to 2,321 square miles. The output power will increase 200 percent from 33kW to 100kW of effective radiated power. The height of the antenna will increase 186 percent from 217 feet to 620 feet above average terrain.
Much of the growth will be south of Abilene in towns like Winters, Coleman, Ballinger, and Bronte. To the east and west on I-20, reception in Sweetwater and Cisco will improve. KACU currently broadcasts from its tower north of Abilene Christian University but will move to a tower owned by KGNZ just south of the Abilene metro area.
"The tower move and frequency change are the only way KACU can increase its signal," said Gibbs. He said growth on 89.7 would overlap with other station signals.
"It's like real estate for broadcast frequencies. It's a limited commodity which is why it's important to move now while we have the opportunity," said Gibbs.
We're working hard to make KACU the best it can be, and this is another important step to increase our public service.
The Federal Communications Committee regulates broadcasters in the U.S. and all changes must be approved. In 1986, the FCC approved KACU to operate on 89.7. The station currently has an approved construction permit to proceed with its change to 89.5.
Gibbs joined KACU in the fall of 2013 and in January 2014, he added a series of new programs to the schedule including "Fresh Air," "Radiolab," "A Way with Words," "On Point," and "Here and Now." The latest addition is "Texas Standard" at 10 a.m., a program produced collaboratively by public radio stations across Texas.
"We're working hard to make KACU the best it can be, and this is another important step to increase our public service," said Gibbs.
KACU is Abilene’s NPR radio station and is located on the campus of Abilene Christian University. KACU has been serving the Big Country of West Texas with public radio programming for 28 years.
