Community
Funds will allow the station to update nearly every facet of its broadcast equipment that operates 24/7 including the transmitter, antenna cable, audio boards, and automation. The grant also will allow the station to broadcast four high-definition channels.
“This means an improved sound quality on our main channel and will allow us to bring listeners a dedicated BBC World Service and a 100 percent classical channel,” said Fred Fletcher-Fierro, interim general manager.
It also means KRPS will be able to take advantage of enhanced emergency alerts in addition to text appearing on HD radios.
"The text will inform listeners of the name of the show they are listening to, and the topic or story being discussed,” Fletcher-Fierro said.
He described it as a "huge advancement" for KRPS.
"Our new transmitter will be more energy efficient. We’ll be able to operate four HD channels on less energy than we currently operate one FM channel. That is how far radio broadcast technology has come since 2011 when KRPS last replaced its transmitter,” Fletcher-Fierro said.
The station is unique: it’s the only 100,000-watt station in the area, with a coverage area that spans 100 miles in all directions; it reaches Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
KRPS is well-known for broadcasting and streaming NPR and BBC News, in addition to locally produced news and content from the Kansas News Service and Missouri partner stations.
The station also is a member of the NPR Network, streaming at KRPS.org, on Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, and the NPR App. A dedicated KRPS app will launch early next year.
