Transitions
Although our daylight hours are increasing, the final throes of winter are long in Western Alaska. With temperatures just below freezing, small pellets of ice and snow still fall from the sky. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are slowing the retreat of the ice and snow, the air is brisk, and you can hear the occasional crackling of sea […]
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 […]
Cold nights and volunteer travel
The temperatures each night are falling to about -20º F, and the stars sparkle in the dark night sky. As the moon traverses the heavens, the sound of houses crackling and snapping can be heard. As the air gets colder, pilings shift a bit, twisting home supports and floors. The night is alive with this and so many […]
Amid the cold, construction begins for our new studios!
Western Alaska village temperatures are dropping, and wind chills sometimes reach 50 below. The north wind is relentless, and it is cold! Any exposed skin quickly reddens and is accompanied by an unmistakable stinging sensation, reminding you to cover up or get inside where it is warm. Even with these cold temperatures, the construction crew […]
Our extended family
The cold temperatures and snow have created a frozen wonderland across the tundra and the icy Bering Sea. With about 4 hours of daylight, the horizon is colored with reds and oranges that dazzle. Winter is amazing! Looking back at 2012, we have seen so many people work to keep KNOM radio a vital mission! […]
As the snow falls, thanks from a listener
Temperatures – and snowflakes! – continue to fall, and the ground is solidly frozen. Cold mornings and evenings are highlighted by beautifully colorful sunrises and sunsets. We are truly blessed to be a part of this radio mission serving Western Alaska. Last week, we received a phone call from a listener. She thanked us for […]
Remembering Tom
The temperature is dropping, and the days are getting shorter. Although Thanksgiving is weeks away, we continue to count our blessings and be thankful for our amazing KNOM family. Two years ago, we bid a sad goodbye to longtime KNOM general manager Tom Busch. The following was posted November 1st on our Facebook page by […]
In Western Alaska, winter’s coming – and quickly
The snow covers mountains, hills, and the tundra. On clear nights, we are blessed with colorful auroras as the night sparkles with stars and planets. The scenic majesty of bush Alaska is breathtaking during the day and at night. As the seasons change and the thermometer falls towards zero, we thank all who help us […]
A failed sensor and a frozen pipe
At times, KNOM staff and volunteers face a variety of challenges. Last week brought engineering, computer, and plumbing difficulties, but with the help of professionals and an energetic staff, each problem was identified, and, when possible, solved. Among our glitches was a malfunctioning temperature sensor at our studio building. The sensor is designed to feed […]
Fish and wildlife reports, and help from a KNOM alumnus
Fish are moving upriver, muskoxen are roaming the tundra, and bears are perched at the edge of streams looking for their next meal. Summer in bush Alaska means wildlife and fish reports on KNOM will keep everyone informed and safe. As summer progresses, our daily high temperatures are typically about 50 degrees, and we have been […]