KUAZ

**KUAZ/KUAZ-FM**
**KUAS-FM**
KUAZ-AM-FM: Tucson, Arizona; KUAS-FM: Sierra Vista, Arizona;
Broadcast area	KUAZ-AM-FM: Tucson metropolitan area; KUAS-FM: Southeastern Arizona
Frequency	KUAZ: 1550 kHz; KUAZ-FM: 89.1 MHz (HD Radio) ; KUAS-FM: 88.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Programming
Format	Public radio
Affiliations	National Public Radio; Public Radio International; Public Radio Exchange
Ownership
Owner	University of Arizona; (Arizona Board of Regents);
Sister stations	KUAT-FM, KUAT-TV
History
First air date	KUAZ: June 26, 1961; 62 years ago (as KFIF); KUAZ-FM: April 27, 1992; 31 years ago; KUAS-FM: October 11, 2018; 5 years ago
Former call signs	KUAZ:; KFIF (1961–1968); KUAT-AM (1968–2000)
Call sign meaning	KUAZ-AM-FM: University of Arizona; KUAS-FM: "KUAZ secondary"
Technical information
Facility ID	1550: 2723; 89.1: 3383; 88.9: 173449
Class	1550: D; 89.1: A; 88.9: C2
Power	1550: 50,000 watts days only
ERP	89.1: 1,600 watts; 88.9: 1,700 watts
HAAT	89.1: 187.0 meters (613.5 ft); 88.9: 675.1 meters (2,215 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	32°22′21″N 111°5′52″W / 32.37250°N 111.09778°W KUAZ (AM); 32°12′53″N 111°0′21″W / 32.21472°N 111.00583°W KUAZ-FM ; 31°28′51.7″N 109°57′31.3″W / 31.481028°N 109.958694°W (KUAS-FM)
Translator(s)	K283DC (104.5 MHz, Catalina); K202EM (88.3 MHz, Bisbee–Douglas, rebroadcasts KUAS-FM)
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	Radio.azpm.org/KUAZ

KUAZ and KUAZ-FM are public radio stations in Tucson, Arizona, owned by the University of Arizona. KUAZ transmits on 1550 kHz on the AM dial, and KUAZ-FM is at 89.1 MHz on the FM dial. The stations simulcast a radio format of news and information, as a member of National Public Radio. KUAZ-AM-FM carry such popular NPR shows as "All Things Considered," "Morning Edition," "1A" and "Fresh Air with Terry Gross."

By day, 1550 KUAZ is powered at 50,000 watts, the maximum for AM stations. But because 1550 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Mexico and Canada, KUAZ is a daytimer, required to go off the air at night to avoid interference. The transmitter is off Interstate 10 near the Tucson Premium Outlets Mall in Marana.^[1] KUAZ-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,600 watts. The FM transmitter is on Tumamoc Hill Road in Tucson.^[2]

Programming is also heard on KUAS-FM at 88.9 MHz in Sierra Vista, as well as two FM translators that fill in service gaps around Tucson and Southeastern Arizona.

History[edit]

As a construction permit, 1550 AM began as KSWC, but changed its call sign to KFIF before signing on the air on June 25, 1961; 62 years ago (1961-06-25).^[3] It was owned by the Southwest Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1967, John B. Walton, who had bought KFIF in 1965, also bought a station at 580 AM, which he would christen KIKX. The station on 580 could operate 24 hours a day. Walton then donated 1550 AM to the University of Arizona. The station became KUAT on October 7, 1968.^[4] KUAT initially had a format of classical music and jazz. When KUAT-FM went on the air in 1975, the FM played all classical music and the AM went all jazz.

The U of A put 89.1 FM on the air in Sierra Vista on April 27, 1992. It took the call sign KUAZ-FM, so as to distinguish itself from KUAT-FM.^[5] The AM station adopted the KUAZ calls on August 11, 2000.

Repeaters[edit]

On October 11, 2018, after an 11-year process, KUAS-FM 88.9 came to air for the first time, broadcasting to Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson, Huachuca City, and Douglas. Previously, Sierra Vista received KUAZ via translator K217GI (91.3 MHz).^[6]

A second translator, K283DC at 104.5 MHz, fills service gaps in the Catalina and Saddlebrooke areas to the north of Tucson and began operating in 2019.

Broadcast translators for KUAZ-FM
Call sign	Frequency	City of license	ERP (W)	Class	FCC info
K217GI	91.3 FM	Sierra Vista, Arizona	82	D	FMQ
K283DC	104.5 FM	Catalina, Arizona	250	D	FMQ

References[edit]

^ "KUAZ-AM 1550 kHz – Tucson, AZ". radio-locator.com.
^ "KUAZ-FM 89.1 MHz - Tucson, AZ". radio-locator.com.
^ World Radio History ^{[dead link]}
^ World Radio History ^{[dead link]}
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2022-02-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "AZPM Launches New Radio Station in Southeast Arizona". Arizona Public Media. October 30, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2019.

[1] "KUAZ-AM 1550 kHz – Tucson, AZ". radio-locator.com.

[2] "KUAZ-FM 89.1 MHz - Tucson, AZ". radio-locator.com.

[3] World Radio History ^{[dead link]}

[4] World Radio History ^{[dead link]}

[5] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2022-02-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[6] "AZPM Launches New Radio Station in Southeast Arizona". Arizona Public Media. October 30, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2019.

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[6]

v t e University of Arizona
Located in: Tucson, Arizona
Academics	College of Agriculture and Life Sciences College of Applied Science and Technology College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture College of Education College of Engineering College of Fine Arts Graduate College Honors College College of Humanities James E. Rogers College of Law Eller College of Management College of Medicine Phoenix Tucson College of Nursing College of Optical Sciences Outreach College College of Pharmacy Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health College of Science College of Social and Behavioral Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine
Athletics and traditions	Football Arizona Stadium Roy P. Drachman Stadium (track and field) Men's basketball Women's basketball McKale Center Baseball Hi Corbett Field Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium (former baseball venue) Softball Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium The Pride of Arizona Rivalries State Farm Territorial Cup Series Territorial Cup Kit Carson Rifle (defunct) Bear Down Fight! Wildcats! Fight! Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat "A" Mountain ZonaZoo
Campus	Main Campus University of Arizona South University Medical Center Libraries Student Union Memorial Center Krutch Cactus Garden Arizona State Museum Flandrau Science Center Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Steward Observatory Kitt Peak National Observatory Biosphere 2 University of Arizona Museum of Art Center for Creative Photography Centennial Hall Student Recreation Center University Boulevard (Tucson) Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Media	Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona Public Media KUAT-TV (PBS) KUAT-FM KUAZ (NPR) KAMP University of Arizona Press
People	Alumni & Faculty
Founded: 1885 Students: 53,187 (2023) Endowment: $1.29 billion (2023)

v t e NPR member stations in the state of Arizona
KNAU stations	Flagstaff KNAU Flagstaff KPUB Grand Canyon KNAG Page KNAD Prescott KNAQ Show Low KNAA
Arizona Public Media stations	Tucson KUAT Tucson KUAZ Tucson KUAZ-FM Sierra Vista KUAS-FM
KAWC stations	Yuma KAWC-FM Parker KAWP Yuma KOFA
Other stations	Hotevilla KUYI Phoenix KBAQ Phoenix KJZZ Whiteriver KNNB
See also List of NPR stations
See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Arizona

v t e Daytime-Only radio stations in Arizona
Bullhead City KFLG Green Valley KGVY Prescott Valley KQNA Tucson KUAZ
See also: Clear channel radio stations and Why AM Radio Stations Must Reduce Power, Change Operations, or Cease Operations at Night Note: KQNA continues night broadcasting on FM

History[edit]

Repeaters[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]