K251AU is an FM translator radio station that serves the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. It broadcasts at 98.1 MHz with a 165 watt signal from atop Sandia Crest, sending a somewhat strong signal into much of the city. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque.
 | |
| Frequency | 98.1 MHz (HD Radio via KBQI-107.9 HD2) |
|---|---|
| Branding | 98.1 The Bull |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic country |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KABQ, KABQ-FM, KBQI, KPEK, KTEG, KZRR, K265CA | |
| History | |
First air date | January 2007 |
Call sign meaning | K 251 (channel number for frequency 98.1) AU (sequential assignment) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 139245 |
| Class | D |
| ERP | 165 watts |
| HAAT | 1230 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°12′53″N 106°27′2″W / 35.21472°N 106.45056°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | thebullabq.iheart.com |
Currently this translator is re-broadcasting programming from the HD2 subchannel of KBQI (107.9 FM).
History
editK251AU began broadcasting in January 2007 with programming from KBNM-LP (98.7 FM), a low-powered radio station based in Belen, New Mexico offering a non-commercial oldies music format. At the time, the translator was running at just 10 watts, and often encountered interference problems with the full-powered KBAC out of Las Vegas, New Mexico. There were also times when the station would be on air with no programming. In April 2013, Clear Channel Communications purchased K251AU from Maria Candelaria for $170,000.[2] At that time it also applied for a construction permit to upgrade the signal to 165 watts. On June 17, 2013 the upgraded signal went on the air stunting with a Christmas music format as "Santa 98.1". On June 21, 2013, K251AU became the new home for the classic country format that had previously aired on KABQ-FM (104.7 FM) since May 2, 2009.[3]
On June 30, 2016, K251AU and KBQI-HD2 rebranded as "98.1 The Bull".[4]
References
edit- ^ "Facility Technical Data for K251AU". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "FCC Applications 4/22".
- ^ "Albuquerque's Classic Country on the Move".
- ^ Classic Country 98.1 Albuquerque Rebrands as the Bull Radioinsight - June 30, 2016
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 139245 (K251AU) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- K251AU at FCCdata.org