KAFA-FM
Frequency97.7 MHz
Branding97.7 The Academy
Programming
FormatRock, Alternative Rock
Ownership
OwnerUnited States Air Force Academy
History
First air date
January 17, 1971 (1971-01-17)
Former frequencies
  • 89.7 MHz
  • 104.5 MHz (1989–1993)
  • 104.3 MHz (1993–2006)
Call sign meaning
"Air Force Academy"
Technical information
ERP125 watts[1]
HAAT30 feet
Links
WebcastKAFA listen live
WebsiteKAFA-FM Online

KAFA-FM (97.7 FM, "97.7 The Academy") is the radio station operated by current officer cadets[2] at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The station does not hold a direct Federal Communications Commission license, as it is owned by a service academy. The United States government has a direct assignment of the call sign.

KAFA first broadcast in 1971 and has been on the air continuously since 1989. A full-time civilian station manager is employed in its operation and assists the cadet and permanent party DJs.

History

The station first began broadcasting on the FM band on January 17, 1971; it was the first FM station compared to the carrier current AM stations at West Point or Annapolis.[3][1] (The "KAFA" designation had once been used by a closed-circuit TV station at the academy.)[1] Broadcasts were part-time and consisted of DJ-led programs, an annual charity marathon, and Academy football games, before those rights were sold commercially.[1]

The station faded out some time after 1980, but it was revived on 104.5 MHz on February 13, 1989;[4] it moved to 104.3 MHz in October 1993.[2]

In 2004, KAFA was given a grant and updated its studio to current radio broadcasting industry standards with the introduction of Prophet Systems software and Dell computers. In June 2006, KAFA changed frequency to 97.7 MHz.[5] The station subsequently solidified a format of Alternative rock and Indie rock branded as "The New 97.7". The programming also allows distinct DJs and personalities to maintain their own distinct shows. In 2008, the station began web streaming with support from the Association of Graduates.[6] KAFA moved from Vandenberg Hall to Fairchild Hall in 2018.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Simon, Steven A. (March 2017). "Recalling the day KAFA was born: Grads recall the early days of cadet radio station" (PDF). Checkpoints. pp. 76–79. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  2. 1 2 "Crack Map mystery for $1000 reward". Colorado Springs Gazette. 1993-10-23. p. F1. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11. Also on the radio scene, the Air Force Academy station KAFA has moved to 104.3 on the dial. The station features cadet disc jockeys and progressive rock music.
  3. ↑ "On The Air". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. January 20, 1971. p. 8-G. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ Phillips, Natalie (March 1, 1989). "Cadet-run radio station is back on the air". Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. pp. B1, B5.
  5. ↑ "Springs TV/Radio News Roundup: KAFA switching frequencies". Colorado Springs Gazette. 2006-01-21. p. Life 10. The Air Force Academy cadet station KAFA (104.3 FM) has agreed to switch its frequency to clear the air for country station KKCS (104.5 FM). A dispute over the frequency has been simmering since KKCS switched to 104.5 FM from 101.9 FM in early December.
  6. ↑ Wineke, Andrew. "Radio U: Students hone DJ skills on the air". Colorado Springs Gazette. pp. Life 1, 5. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  7. ↑ Simon, Steven A. "History Dates - KAFA" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.

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