University Of Hawaii's KTUH To Double Power, Expand Reach In January

KTUH Expands Its Reach

THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII at MANOA's student-run KTUH will install a new trasnmitter and antenna in JANUARY which will increase the station's power from 3,000 to 7,000 watts and extend its reach to more than 870,000 listeners, covering most of the island of OAHU, it was reported by BIZJOURNALS.com.

The station's two FM frequencies will consolidate into the new 90.1 station. The whole project cost $80,000 and required a second FCC construction permit, submission and approval from the DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, collecting signatures, finalizing research studies and securing documents from the university and state, according to KTUH GM NICK CIUFFETELLI.

"This is quite a big deal for a college radio station," he said. "We understand this move will bring more attention to the station and we're stoked about that."

KTUH debuted in 1969 as HAWAII’s first FM-licensed, public non-commercial radio station, even older than HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO, which first broadcast out of the studio in 1981.

The station last boosted its wattage from 100 to 3,000 in 2001, with a NORTH SHORE translator added that same year. The campaign for the latest improvements raised $300,000 over the last six years covering operational and equipment expe3nses and moving costs to move the antenna from the UH MANOA camput to TANTALUS.  

The station's signals had been getting lost in many areas around OAHU. with its current transmission site at about 140 feet in elevation.  The new tower will transmit around 7,000 watts and be audible throughout the island on 90/1 FM.

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