by Rick Kenyon
The McCarthy area has a new radio signal on the air, 94.3 FM. Officially designated K232DL, the station is a licensed translator of the I Am Radio Network broadcast from Nenana, Alaska.
Currently, this network includes radio stations KYKD in Bethel, Alaska, and KIAM in Nenana, Alaska, with local translators in the villages of Ruby, Tanana and Bettles, and now McCarthy. They also broadcast in the Bristol Bay area through radio station KAKN in Naknek, Alaska, which is also heard in King Salmon and Dillingham.
The McCarthy station was one of 22 proposed new radio downlinks in villages throughout Alaska.
The station is a satellite-translator, or satellator. The system consists of the receiving dish, signal converter, 250-watt amplifier and a small tower for local rebroadcast. Because it is taken from satellite, it allows a true digital-quality signal on FM. The station is located on the ridge southwest of McCarthy at the Rowland’s home. In fact the antenna is on the ridgepole of their house! It is hoped that this location, along with the 250-watt power level, will provide a strong signal for much of the McCarthy, Kennicott and outlying areas. Signal reports would be welcomed. Call the Rowlands at 554-4498.
The KIAM network is the result of the vision and hard work of Bob and Dolores Eldridge. Bob & Dolores came to Alaska in 1964 and began their ministry serving with Victory Bible Camp. They then began an itinerant flying ministry to interior Alaska villages with Arctic Missions. Weather often prevented flying into villages to share the Good News of Christ. Bob felt led of the Lord to consider radio as a more consistent way to better send the Gospel message to interior Alaska villages and homesteaders. Radio can reach interior Alaska whatever the weather.
The Eldridges began the development of a Christian radio station in 1980, and in 1985 station KIAM went on the air in Nenana.
Bob himself, along with Rob Bennett, came to McCarthy to install the equipment on October 5. They installed the dish and the antenna, but equipment problems prevented linking to the satellite. They drove all the way back to Nenana, got the problem fixed and returned on October 19, about 5PM. At 8:53, McCarthy’s new station went on the air!
Like our other radio station, KXKM, K232DL offers a bush message system. Called the Mukluk Telegram, messages are broadcast at 10:10AM, 2:10PM and 9:10PM, seven days a week. Messages can be sent by: phone (907)832-5426, FAX, (907)832-5450, E-mail, AlaskaRadio@vfcm.org or by snail mail to Voice for Christ Ministries, P. O. Box 00474, Nenana, Alaska 99760.
