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KMJ (AM)
Encyclopedia
KMJ is a radio station
located in the Fresno, California
area. The station is owned by Peak Broadcasting LLC.
, Sean Hannity
, Glenn Beck
, Dave Ramsey
, Adam Bold
, Dr. Laura and Mark Levin
.
When KMJ first began broadcasting it was licensed as an "E & M" station and shared those frequencies with every other E & M station in existence at the time.
KMJ operated on a number of other frequencies between 1925 and 1932. Some of the frequencies used included 820 and 1350 kHz.
McClatchy was intent on improving the signal and eventually competed with KTAB in Oakland for a new frequency (580 kHz) that was being made available by the newly created FCC. KMJ was awarded the new channel. There is some anecdotal evidence that C.K. McClatchy's political connections were employed to obtain the grant.
KMJ moved to 580 kHz in 1932 and operated with 1 kW non directional from a building rooftop in Downtown Fresno.
KMJ was an affiliate of the Don Lee Network and it also carried CBS network broadcasts until 1936 when it affiliated with NBC. KMJ remained a NBC affiliate until NBC ceased hourly newscasts in the 1990s. It then affiliated with ABC and then changed back to CBS when Westinghouse Electric Corporation (later be renamed CBS Corp.) acquired the station from American Radio Systems in 1998.
Eventually a new 5,000-watt non-directional transmitter site was constructed. It utilized a 5/8 wave antenna and was located 5 miles east of Fresno at the northeast corner of the intersection of Kings Canyon Road and Fowler Avenue. The new 5 kW site was first used in 1936.
Modern studios were also constructed south of the newspaper on Van Ness Avenue. McClatchy eventually donated the former newspaper and radio studio to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. The studio building was subsequently used by KVPR and later as museum offices. It was demolished in 2007 as part of a renovation of the main museum building.
In 1941, Hammer Field (later to become Fresno Air Terminal) was constructed as a training base for the Army Air Corps. The KMJ tower was directly in line with the runway and the Army wanted the site relocated. KMJ ended up moving the site some 16 miles west of Fresno to the intersection of Madera and North Avenues (south of Kerman). The existing transmitter building was jacked up and moved to the Kerman Site. The existing tower was unstacked and moved as well. However, it was only built to 660 feet. The remaining 330 feet was stored on the site with the intention of creating a directional array. World War II interrupted the project, and it was never restarted after the end of the war. The extra 330 feet of tower was eventually moved to Sacramento and used in the construction of the KFBK
transmitter site after WWII (1945).
At the outset of World War II, the Department of War
selected KMJ as the primary medium for alerting Central California
residents.
Until 1936 and the arrival of KARM, it was the only radio station in Fresno.
From 1925 until 1987, KMJ was owned by McClatchy Company, which also owned KFBK
in Sacramento, KBEE
in Modesto, KERN
in Bakersfield, and KOH in Reno. McClatchy Newspapers owned three daily newspapers called "The Bee" in Fresno, Sacramento, and Modesto.
In 1953, McClatchy signed on KMJ-TV on channel 24. The television station would be sold off in 1981 to become KSEE
.
In November 2006, KMJ and its sister stations KFPT
(AM), KWYE
(FM), KSKS
(FM), KFJK (FM), KOQO
(FM), and KMGV
(FM) were
sold by CBS Radio to Peak Broadcasting for $90 million.
In March 2009, Peak Broadcasting replaced the KFJK Jack FM
format on 105.9 FM with KMJ-FM NewsTalk radio. It is a partial simulcast of KMJ AM. From 5:00 am to 9:00 am both stations simulcast the same local news broadcast with separate commercial loads. The other times, they have their own shows. There was at least one host, Chris Daniel, who does a show on KMJ-FM from 3-5pm and then moves over to KMJ at 5pm, but these are not simulcasted. KMJ-FM also ran "Best Of" shows from the KMJ hosts overnight weeknights until the addition of the John and Jeff "Third Shift" program on May 26, 2009.
On the weekend, KMJ-FM broadcasts 50's to 70's rock. The talk programming during the weekdays and music on the weekends is modeled after the very successful WKXW in Trenton, New Jersey
.
and as far north as San Francisco. It can widely be heard in Hawaii, Australia and Japan at night. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=26923
Additionally the 50,000 watt site develops an effective radiated power of 250,000 watts at a bearing of 270 degrees true. This (and the extremely good ground conductivity of the San Joaquin Valley) allows KMJ to produce a signal strength of 50-100 mv/m over the city of Fresno, which is located at a distance of 26 miles (42 km) west of the 50,000 watt transmitter site.
The former main transmitter site at Kerman remains licensed as an auxiliary transmitter site.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
located in the Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
area. The station is owned by Peak Broadcasting LLC.
Programming
The station airs local and nationally syndicated talk radio programs. Notable show hosts include Rush LimbaughRush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey
David L. Ramsey III is an American financial author, radio host, television personality, and motivational speaker.Ramsey's syndicated radio program The Dave Ramsey Show is promoted with a tagline that "It's about your life and your money," and it is heard on over 450 radio stations throughout the...
, Adam Bold
Adam Bold
Adam Bold is an American author and businessman. He is the founder and minority shareholder of The Mutual Fund Store, and host of The Mutual Fund Show, a national weekly talk radio show focused on actively managed mutual fund investments...
, Dr. Laura and Mark Levin
Mark Levin
Mark Reed Levin is a lawyer, author and the host of American syndicated radio show The Mark Levin Show. Levin served in the cabinet of President Ronald Reagan and was a chief of staff for Attorney General Edwin Meese...
.
History
KMJ first began broadcasting in March 1922. It was originally owned by the San Joaquin Power and Light Corporation and acquired by the McClatchy Newspaper Company in 1925. KMJ is the 38th oldest licensed continuously operated radio station in the United States.When KMJ first began broadcasting it was licensed as an "E & M" station and shared those frequencies with every other E & M station in existence at the time.
KMJ operated on a number of other frequencies between 1925 and 1932. Some of the frequencies used included 820 and 1350 kHz.
McClatchy was intent on improving the signal and eventually competed with KTAB in Oakland for a new frequency (580 kHz) that was being made available by the newly created FCC. KMJ was awarded the new channel. There is some anecdotal evidence that C.K. McClatchy's political connections were employed to obtain the grant.
KMJ moved to 580 kHz in 1932 and operated with 1 kW non directional from a building rooftop in Downtown Fresno.
KMJ was an affiliate of the Don Lee Network and it also carried CBS network broadcasts until 1936 when it affiliated with NBC. KMJ remained a NBC affiliate until NBC ceased hourly newscasts in the 1990s. It then affiliated with ABC and then changed back to CBS when Westinghouse Electric Corporation (later be renamed CBS Corp.) acquired the station from American Radio Systems in 1998.
Eventually a new 5,000-watt non-directional transmitter site was constructed. It utilized a 5/8 wave antenna and was located 5 miles east of Fresno at the northeast corner of the intersection of Kings Canyon Road and Fowler Avenue. The new 5 kW site was first used in 1936.
Modern studios were also constructed south of the newspaper on Van Ness Avenue. McClatchy eventually donated the former newspaper and radio studio to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. The studio building was subsequently used by KVPR and later as museum offices. It was demolished in 2007 as part of a renovation of the main museum building.
In 1941, Hammer Field (later to become Fresno Air Terminal) was constructed as a training base for the Army Air Corps. The KMJ tower was directly in line with the runway and the Army wanted the site relocated. KMJ ended up moving the site some 16 miles west of Fresno to the intersection of Madera and North Avenues (south of Kerman). The existing transmitter building was jacked up and moved to the Kerman Site. The existing tower was unstacked and moved as well. However, it was only built to 660 feet. The remaining 330 feet was stored on the site with the intention of creating a directional array. World War II interrupted the project, and it was never restarted after the end of the war. The extra 330 feet of tower was eventually moved to Sacramento and used in the construction of the KFBK
KFBK
KFBK is a radio station in Sacramento, California broadcasting on a frequency of 1530 kHz. KFBK is a class A clear channel station, formerly designated as a class "I-B" station, sharing 1530 with WCKY in Cincinnati, Ohio...
transmitter site after WWII (1945).
At the outset of World War II, the Department of War
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
selected KMJ as the primary medium for alerting Central California
Central California
Central California, sometimes referenced as Mid-State, is an area of California south of the San Francisco Bay Area and north of Southern California...
residents.
Until 1936 and the arrival of KARM, it was the only radio station in Fresno.
From 1925 until 1987, KMJ was owned by McClatchy Company, which also owned KFBK
KFBK
KFBK is a radio station in Sacramento, California broadcasting on a frequency of 1530 kHz. KFBK is a class A clear channel station, formerly designated as a class "I-B" station, sharing 1530 with WCKY in Cincinnati, Ohio...
in Sacramento, KBEE
KBEE
KBEE, branded as B98.7, is a radio station in Salt Lake City, Utah which broadcasts at 98.7 MHz. It began in 1995 after Citadel Broadcasting purchased KVRI, a hot adult contemporary station. The station took the calls as KBEE although the music format virtually remained the same...
in Modesto, KERN
KERN
KERI is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Bakersfield, California, USA. The station is currently owned by American General Media.-History:...
in Bakersfield, and KOH in Reno. McClatchy Newspapers owned three daily newspapers called "The Bee" in Fresno, Sacramento, and Modesto.
In 1953, McClatchy signed on KMJ-TV on channel 24. The television station would be sold off in 1981 to become KSEE
KSEE
KSEE is the NBC affiliated television station in Fresno, California, broadcasting on digital channel 38. KSEE is owned and operated by Granite Broadcasting Corporation. Granite owns and operates eight network-affiliated television stations nationwide...
.
In November 2006, KMJ and its sister stations KFPT
KFPT
KFPT is a radio station broadcasting a Sports radio format. Licensed to Clovis, California, USA, the station serves the Fresno area. The station is currently owned by Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting, LLC and features programing from Jones Radio Network, ABC Radio and ESPN Radio.-History:The station...
(AM), KWYE
KWYE
KWYE is a radio station located in the Fresno, California, area that airs an Adult Top 40 music format. The station is owned by Peak Broadcasting.-History:...
(FM), KSKS
KSKS
KSKS is a commercial radio station located in Fresno, California, broadcasting on 93.7 FM. KSKS airs a country music format branded as "Kiss Country"....
(FM), KFJK (FM), KOQO
KOQO
KLBN is a commercial radio station located in Fresno, California, broadcasting on 101.9 FM. KLBN airs a Regional Mexican music format branded as "La Buena"....
(FM), and KMGV
KMGV
KMGV is located in the Fresno, California area and broadcasts at 97.9 FM. It is owned by Peak Broadcasting, which acquired KMGV, and several other Fresno market stations, in November 2006 from CBS Radio....
(FM) were
sold by CBS Radio to Peak Broadcasting for $90 million.
In March 2009, Peak Broadcasting replaced the KFJK Jack FM
Jack FM
JACK FM is the alternative name and on-air brand of 60 radio stations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Jack stations play a mix of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s hits with some current hot adult contemporary singles. Jack's slogan "playing what we want" can also be...
format on 105.9 FM with KMJ-FM NewsTalk radio. It is a partial simulcast of KMJ AM. From 5:00 am to 9:00 am both stations simulcast the same local news broadcast with separate commercial loads. The other times, they have their own shows. There was at least one host, Chris Daniel, who does a show on KMJ-FM from 3-5pm and then moves over to KMJ at 5pm, but these are not simulcasted. KMJ-FM also ran "Best Of" shows from the KMJ hosts overnight weeknights until the addition of the John and Jeff "Third Shift" program on May 26, 2009.
On the weekend, KMJ-FM broadcasts 50's to 70's rock. The talk programming during the weekdays and music on the weekends is modeled after the very successful WKXW in Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
.
Transmitter
KMJ uses a 50,000 watt transmitter. It has a directional antenna consisting of 4 mast radiators situated at 36-39-37.2 N 119-20-52.8 W, 36-39-29.2 N 119-20-52.8 W, 36-39-27.9 N 119-20-48.3 W, 36-39-36.5 N 119-20-47.1 W. Each of the towers is 259.1 metres (850 ft) tall. They may be the tallest towers in USA used for AM broadcasting. On a clear night, strong signals can be picked up as far south as Santa ClaritaSanta Clarita
Santa Clarita can refer to:* Santa Clarita, California* Santa Clarita Valley* Valencia, California...
and as far north as San Francisco. It can widely be heard in Hawaii, Australia and Japan at night. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=26923
Additionally the 50,000 watt site develops an effective radiated power of 250,000 watts at a bearing of 270 degrees true. This (and the extremely good ground conductivity of the San Joaquin Valley) allows KMJ to produce a signal strength of 50-100 mv/m over the city of Fresno, which is located at a distance of 26 miles (42 km) west of the 50,000 watt transmitter site.
The former main transmitter site at Kerman remains licensed as an auxiliary transmitter site.