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105.9 FM, Kearney

City of License: Kearney, NE

First Air Date: October, 1979

Operating Power: 98,000 watts

Original Call Letters: KQKY

Format: Top 40

General Manager: John McDonald

News Director: Paul Wice

Program Director: Dirk Christensen

Sales Manager: Al Smith

Chief Engineer: Dennis Baker

Date of FCC Issue: June 2, 1980

Issued To: Central Nebraska Broadcasting, Inc.

Through the Years

  • 1978

    November 27, 1978-Central Nebraska Broadcasting Inc. applies for a construction permit for 105.9 FM, licensed to Kearney, NE for 100,000 watts.

  • 1979

    February 26, 1979-  Call letters are approved for KQKY FM.

    October, 1979- KQKY signs on with 98,000 watts at 1,010 feet.  Studios/offices:  co-located with KGFW AM at 2221 Central Avenue in Kearney.  Owner:  Central Nebraska Broadcasting, Inc. (John Mitchell, President & Owner (also owns KQKQ 98.5 FM in Omaha, KGFW 1340 AM, Kearney, KXNP/KODY, North Platte, NE. )   Format:  Top 40   “Hits 106”.    Transmitter:  2.5 miles South of I-80, 11.5 miles east southeast of Kearney, near Lowell, NE.

  • 1980

    June 2, 1980-  License is granted.

     

  • 2000

    May 5, 2000-  Transmitter location moves to new Mitchell-owned tower located approximately 2 miles northwest of Heartwell, NE.  100,000 watts at 1,204 feet.

  • 2001

    KQKY is sold to Waitt Radio as part of Mitchell Broadcasting’s 16-station group for $36.6 million.

  • 2004

    Waitt Radio merges with New Radio Group to form NRG Media. (Mary Quass, President)

  • 2009

    Long time General Manager John McDonald passes away.  Eventually replaced by Dallas Nau.