The KKED license traces its roots to the oldest FM radio station in Interior Alaska. On October 1, 1962,[3] the University of Alaska Fairbanks launched KUAC, the first public radio station in the state of Alaska, at 104.9 FM. It replaced an older carrier current station on the campus.[4] In July 1968, the station moved to 104.7 MHz[5] and increased the effective radiated power of its transmitter atop the Student Union Building to 10,500 watts.[1]
Until 1982, the portion of the FM band below 100 MHz, including the typical noncommercial educational reserved band of 88–92 MHz, was reserved in Alaska for telecommunications purposes.[6] As a result, KUAC, as well as other public radio stations in Alaska such as KSKA, operated on licenses that, if sold, could be converted to commercial operation. In 1995, the station landed a $178,000 federal grant to build a new, more powerful facility broadcasting with 38,000 watts at 89.9 MHz—in the reserved band—atop the Ester Dome.[7] By comparison, the 104.7 facility was atop the shorter Bender Mountain at 10,000 watts.[8] 89.9 MHz, bearing the call letters KUAB, came to air in April 1997 while the 104.7 studio-transmitter link was broken.[9]
The new facility in the reserved band opened up the ability for the University of Alaska Fairbanks to sell the 104.7 license, which traded call letters to become KUAB, to a commercial buyer. Capstar, a forerunner to iHeartMedia, acquired the facility for $205,000 in February 1998.[10] On June 22, the frequency became a commercial alternative rock outlet known as "The Edge";[11] the call letters changed to KKED on July 10.[12]
The "Edge" moniker was used until 2016, when the station rebranded as Alt 104.7, retaining the alternative format.[13]
Programming
KKED has no local air talent. Its personalities are syndicated through the internal Premium Choice service.[13]
