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KNAU Transmitter: Moving Forward

UPDATE 07/27

The new transmitter has found its way home to the very top of Mormon Mountain.  After a precarious off-road journey in a box truck, and hours of heavy lifting by a team of strong men, the transmitter is now situated exactly where it will remain for its long life ahead.  We still have some setting up to do, but we expect to see full power restored to KNAU's broader coverage area very soon.

Credit Brian Sanders, KNAU

UPDATE 07/09

The new transmitter is here! After nearly 3200 miles and two weeks in the back of a truck, your new 88.7 transmitter arrived yesterday from Halifax, NS, Canada. The engineering team's schedules will align at the end of the month and we'll get back to full power as soon as practical. Stay tuned!

UPDATE 05/15

The new interim transmitter is on the air!

Although we're still operating at greatly reduced power, listeners in Show Low, Payson, Prescott, the Verde Valley and Kingman should have a better signal over their respective repeater stations (listed here). Others will notice an improvement with 88.7 itself.  In fact, we'd really appreciate a signal report if you can spare a minute. Send an email to brian.sanders@nau.edu mentioning where you're listening and if the signal has improved. If you want to mention what kind of radio and antenna you're using, that's helpful too, as is anything else you think of interest. He can't reply to everyone, but your input is really useful. Again, thanks for your patience and your continued support of KNAU.

Thursday April 23 the transmitter for KNAU 88.7 experienced a catastrophic failure. A few spare devices and some engineering skill got us back on the air a few days later at greatly reduced power but it was clear we had a major problem.

The transmitter – 25 years old -- was past the end of its lifespan.

We had planned to replace that transmitter this summer, but those plans went on hold when the pandemic seized everyone’s attention. So when 88.7 failed, at least we had a plan. Not the original one, but some of the work was already done.

A new main transmitter has been ordered. In a few weeks it will arrive in Flagstaff bound for its new Mormon Mountain home. We think mid-July is a reasonable estimate for the final installation.

Now is a good opportunity to mention that all our programming remains available via streaming online at our website KNAU.org. Many people enjoy listening on their computer, tablet, or smart device. Using inexpensive wireless headphones, they can even garden, work in the kitchen or office and take KNAU along.

Thanks for your patience and your ongoing support.

https://www.knau.org/listen-now