Truman Receives Grant from Corporation for Public Broadcasting
KKTR, a National Public Radio affiliate licensed to Truman State University, has been awarded a $78,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to initiate Hybrid Digital (HD) radio broadcasting. The grant will cover approximately 80 percent of the cost of converting the transmission plant to digital broadcasting.
“KKTR will join hundreds of public radio stations broadcasting in digital,” said Elizabeth Clark, associate professor of communication and chair of the communication department. “Once the new transmitter is in place, listeners will have the chance to hear broadcasts in true compact disc clarity.”
Mark Smith, assistant professor of communication, who prepared the KKTR grant under the supervision of former dean Heinz Woehlk and Clark, noted that a digital receiver is required to hear the HD broadcasts.
“KKTR will continue to be heard on existing radio receivers, however, digital broadcasts may only be heard on a special HD receiver,” said Smith.
The HD system features multiple streams of broadcast programming. Before year’s end, Kirksville listeners will be able to access music and information on KKTR and KKTR2, which will be fed from KBIA, Columbia, Mo., an NPR affiliate in central Missouri. The main KKTR digital channel will duplicate the current analog programming received from KBIA; KKTR2 will offer separate program services for northeast Missouri listeners. KKTR listeners can access the KBIA Web site for HD radio facts and view digital radio models.
In addition to KKTR digital broadcasts, student media station, KTRM, 88.7 has been granted funding by the Truman State University Board of Governors to covert its transmission plant to HD broadcasts. Smith noted that KKTR and KTRM will be the first HD radio stations in northeast Missouri.
Finally, Truman has received permission from the Federal Communications Commission to expand the transmission power of KKTR and KTRM from the current 1,000 watts to 3,500 watts, per station, effective with the HD installation. The power increases will double the geographic range of both stations.
The Truman stations are expected to begin HD broadcasts this fall.
“KKTR will join hundreds of public radio stations broadcasting in digital,” said Elizabeth Clark, associate professor of communication and chair of the communication department. “Once the new transmitter is in place, listeners will have the chance to hear broadcasts in true compact disc clarity.”
Mark Smith, assistant professor of communication, who prepared the KKTR grant under the supervision of former dean Heinz Woehlk and Clark, noted that a digital receiver is required to hear the HD broadcasts.
“KKTR will continue to be heard on existing radio receivers, however, digital broadcasts may only be heard on a special HD receiver,” said Smith.
The HD system features multiple streams of broadcast programming. Before year’s end, Kirksville listeners will be able to access music and information on KKTR and KKTR2, which will be fed from KBIA, Columbia, Mo., an NPR affiliate in central Missouri. The main KKTR digital channel will duplicate the current analog programming received from KBIA; KKTR2 will offer separate program services for northeast Missouri listeners. KKTR listeners can access the KBIA Web site for HD radio facts and view digital radio models.
In addition to KKTR digital broadcasts, student media station, KTRM, 88.7 has been granted funding by the Truman State University Board of Governors to covert its transmission plant to HD broadcasts. Smith noted that KKTR and KTRM will be the first HD radio stations in northeast Missouri.
Finally, Truman has received permission from the Federal Communications Commission to expand the transmission power of KKTR and KTRM from the current 1,000 watts to 3,500 watts, per station, effective with the HD installation. The power increases will double the geographic range of both stations.
The Truman stations are expected to begin HD broadcasts this fall.
