Step back over a century ago, where the salty spray of the Atlantic met. The fate of the SS Princess Anne, under the command of Captain Frank Seay. Battling a tempestuous winter storm on February 2, 1920, the vessel missed New York Harbor's embrace and found its final resting place on Long Island's Rockaway Shoals. Amidst the chaos, the ship's radio, bearing the callsign KOB, whispered the beginning of an extraordinary tale. This Saga of KOB and KKOB: A Century Adrift From Sea to Sky, will tell you the tale.
From Sea to Airwaves: The Birth of KOB
Fast forward to the vast deserts of New Mexico, where in the dusty halls of State College in Las Cruces, an experimental radio station crackled to life as 5XD. Yet, fate had other plans. Just two years later, on April 5, 1922, this daring venture transformed into a broadcasting powerhouse, inheriting the KOB mantle and launching into the airwaves with 500 watts of pioneering spirit.
The Albuquerque Journal Era: Saga of KOB and KKOB
In 1932, the Albuquerque Journal newspaper took the helm of radio broadcasting station KOB. And steering it to new heights within the city's bustling landscape. With a flicker of innovation in 1986, the station acquired an augmented callsign, KKOB, yet never let go of its beloved KOB identity, a beacon of familiarity in the ever-changing radio landscape.
Bridging the Airwaves: Albuquerque and Santa Fe
But the tale doesn't end there. In a bid to bridge the airwaves between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, an auxiliary transmitter with 230 watts emerged, synchronizing both KOB stations on the resonant frequency of 770 kHz. Together, they orchestrated a symphony of sound that echoed across the New Mexican horizon.
Saga of KOB and KKOB: The Hot Air Balloon Festival
Yet amidst the hum of broadcasting, KOB found time to celebrate its community in grand style. In 1972, it launched the first Hot Air Balloon Festival, a dazzling tribute to its 50-year legacy. From humble beginnings to the turn of the millennium, the festival soared to new heights, captivating hearts with a kaleidoscope of colors against the desert sky.
A Brush with Chaos: The 2004 Balloon Incident
But as fate would have it, sometimes the most unforgettable moments unfold in the midst of chaos. During the International Balloon Festival in 2004, a hot air balloon danced dangerously close to one of KOB's towering aerial sentinels. Miraculously, pilot and passengers found refuge atop the silent tower, a temporary haven amidst the storm.
KKOB Today: A Sentinel of the Airwaves
As the sands of time continue to shift, KKOB stands as a steadfast sentinel of the airwaves, broadcasting at 50 kW on 770 kHz, a testament to the enduring spirit of KOB and its unwavering commitment to the communities it serves.
Modern-Day KKOB: News, Talk, and More
KKOB operates at 770 kHz and is currently owned by Cumulus Media. It’s branded as “96.3 Newsradio KKOB,” which reflects its simulcast with co-owned KKOB-FM 96.3 MHz. The station provides a news-talk format and is the state’s primary entry point for the Emergency Alert System. Its transmitter site is off Second Street NW in North Valley, Albuquerque.
The station’s programming includes local news and weather updates, traffic reports, and national news from ABC News Radio. It features local talk shows during weekdays and various programs on weekends, covering topics like money, health, home repair, gardening, cars, travel, and technology.
KKOB’s significance is further highlighted by its power and reach. It operates with 50,000 watts during the day. And covering most of New Mexico’s populated areas, as well as parts of Colorado and Arizona. At night, it uses a directional antenna to limit interference with other stations on the same frequency.
A Timeless Melody in Radio History
From the depths of the sea to the heights of the sky, the saga of KOB and KKOB continues to captivate hearts and minds, a timeless melody in the symphony of radio history.
Join the Conversation! What memories do you have of KOB or KKOB? Share your stories with us and let’s celebrate the rich history of this iconic station together!