Engineer’s Corner: “Living in a bottle”
In this edition of Engineer’s Corner, volunteer engineer Rolland Trowbridge focuses on our mission’s consumption of batteries – in particular, the very specialized batteries that keep our equipment working during Nome’s frequent power outages and brown-outs – and why our new studios will help us decrease our battery use. The photo above shows all of […]
Engineer’s corner: “Shake, shake, shake”
As promised in last month’s edition of the Static, we’re happy to present the latest on KNOM’s equipment and technical issues with a new segment – the Engineer’s Corner – courtesy of volunteer engineer Rolland Trowbridge: On one morning in early May, the transmitter-to-studio data link, or TSL, quit working. This link allows volunteers at […]
January 2000: Blizzard!
January 16, 2000 A blizzard packing hurricane-force winds drops power lines at the KNOM transmitter site. The station’s emergency generator keeps it on the air for 16 hours before electricity is restored.
2012 Financial Report
The fiscal year from July 2011 to June 2012 was unique for our mission; the year saw the transition of KNOM to a new, independent nonprofit entity (KNOM Radio Mission, Inc.), as well as the first steps in our studio annex project, the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. With your enthusiastic support, we finished […]
Halloween, 1970: The AM tower is complete
October 31, 1970 The AM tower construction is complete. Nome Joint Utilities runs a power line across the tundra to the tower, and it is lighted. It’s finished just in time. Two days later, blizzards shut down Nome for almost three weeks.
Prayers for Father Armand, and new ways we’re saving power
We continue to give thanks and celebrate the faithful service of KNOM’s spiritual advisor, Father Armand Nigro, S.J. He has been offering prayers and Masses for the intentions of thousands of KNOM’s supporters, our staff, and listeners. We ask for your prayers for Fr. Armand as he deals with a variety of health challenges. He continues to pray […]
August 2009: Transmitter trouble
August 23, 2009 The transmitter fails this morning, just as the automated remote control commands the increase to daytime power. From Anchorage, Tom Busch talks general manager Ric Schmidt into coaxing it to operate at very low power, about 2,000 watts. After flying to Nome, Tom discovers that a jumper cable 100 feet above ground […]
DCC update: even more savings!
We so appreciate everyone’s support for KNOM and for our efforts to trim energy costs. With the cost of gasoline at almost $6 per gallon here in bush Alaska, you can understand why we are looking high and low for ways to save.
Summercise comes to KNOM, and a new challenge pledge for our studio construction
The days grow longer and, slowly, the temperatures are rising! The remainders of ice and snow are melting away into the ponds and streams. Alongside the warmth of summer, Nome’s Summercise has returned.
Elder Voices: Rodney Ungwiluk, Sr. (encore)
Rodney Ungwiluk, Sr. was born May 8, 1942 in Gambell and passed away June 16, 2011. In 2009, he shared memories and stories of growing up in Gambell before electric power and lights. He talks about helping his dad hunt seals and the community’s dependence on dog teams.