Passing the Baton

Three people hold a teal "Welcome to KNOM" banner inside a small airport terminal, while a man, standing over their shoulder, holds his own small camera back at the photographer.

As KNOM says goodbye to its 2017-2018 class of volunteer fellows — Karen Trop, Gabe Colombo, and Zoe Grueskin — we’re also happy to introduce the first member of the class of 2018-2019, Emily Hofstaedter.

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13 Years Later, Still a Bright Idea

In 2003, Les Brown helps guide the replacement beacon on its 233-foot ascent to the top of the AM tower.

Switching to an LED beacon atop KNOM’s AM transmitter tower has saved the mission tens of thousands of dollars in the past 13 years. It’s an example of how we strive to make the best use of our donations.

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The Challenges of Staying On-Air

Van Craft with AM Transmitter, Nome, Alaska

When a very rare failure occurred at our AM transmitter in late January, thousands of listeners lost access to our station. It took extraordinary measures — and support from near and far — to get us back on the air. The event also underscored the importance of our efforts to renovate our studios.

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Les Brown, Back in Town

Les Brown at KNOM, Oct. 2014

KNOM was blessed last month with a short but sweet visit from a person who may be familiar to longtime supporters and Static readers: Les Brown (pictured at top), the retired volunteer engineer whose depth of technical acumen and broadcast expertise — and many years of service in rural Alaska — make him an institution with…

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September ’72: Construction

September 4, 1972 They’re completed. Fred Dyen and fellow volunteers Les Brown and Chris Brockway have constructed a prefabricated garage and building for the transmitter site generator. Dyen’s friend Jerry Springer had flown up from Spokane to install the generators and transfer switches, and by this week, both studio and transmitter are protected against power outages.

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Still part of the family

Speaking of our facilities and equipment: we’d be remiss not to offer our thanks to Les Brown, the longtime volunteer engineer who, although retired from daily service at our mission, still contributes his considerable expertise and guidance to KNOM. Les (seen here at KNOM during his last visit to Nome, in 2011) has been part…

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April 1999: A stormy Easter

April 4 (Easter Sunday), 1999 The weather is fine for Easter egg hunting today, but at nightfall, a blizzard suddenly kicks up. The wind blows so hard at KNOM’s transmitter site that it holds the shutters for the exhaust fan closed. By the time Les Brown and volunteer Michael Warren make it to the building…

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