ProgramsNewsAbout UsVolunteerDonate TodayGive Now96.1 fm 780 am Yours for Western Alaska

January 1981: A new computer for Br. Normand

Cromemco Z2 computer ad

An advertisement for the Cromemco Z2 computer (very similar to one of the computer components used by KNOM in the early 1980s), as seen in the July 1977 issue of Byte magazine.

January 23, 1981

KNOM places a $16,435 order for a Cromemco Z2-H computer. Running at 4 MHz and with a 64k memory, the system includes two terminals. Using Structured Basic programming language, Br. Normand Berger, FIC, writes a program for keeping track of donations. One terminal sits in reception, the other in the manager’s office. The computer, paid for by a diamond engagement ring that had been donated to the station years earlier, makes a tremendous improvement in KNOM’s office efficiency.

Continue Reading

Your steps

Our inspirational spot for the week:

Your heart plans its own way, but the Lord directs your steps.

Continue Reading

Howling winds outside, and a mentorship in our newsroom

The winds are howling and the snow is flying as Alaska’s winter continues into 2013. The KNOM weather reports help families stay safe and plan their winter travel. However, one unaware traveler recently had to be rescued by helicopter from an ice floe due to extreme north winds (which separated the sea ice nearest Nome from its shoreline). Our message is always a clear one, “listen to KNOM for the latest weather forecast!”

This week, KNOM news director Laureli Kinneen is mentoring a young listener from the community of Koyuk. She is studying broadcasting and, during her college break, will be job-shadowing Laureli, interviewing area news-makers, and writing news stories. It is such a blessing to pass on the mission ideals of KNOM to young students.

We are thankful for all the prayers, kind comments, and contributions. The KNOM family is serving our remote part of the world, and we thank you for all you do for us.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

Miracles

Our inspirational spot for the week:

Don’t look for miracles. You are a miracle.

Continue Reading

Weathering the season

Several additional minutes of sunlight greet us each day as we weather the cold, windy days and nights.

KNOM weather reports help remote listeners prepare for the harsh conditions experienced throughout western Alaska. Our region’s extreme weather means that getting the right information at the right time is often a matter of life or death. KNOM keeps everyone connected with the latest warnings, watches, and reports.

We pass on the thanks of the many listeners who appreciate the support of the entire KNOM family. You are keeping the beacon of faith, hope, and charity burning bright in their lives every day.

Our prayers for you, for your family, and for all you hold dear. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Continue Reading

January 2004: A nod from the Messenger

January 5, 2004

This month’s edition of the magazine St. Anthony Messenger features a six-page article on KNOM, noting that the station “brings a message of hope and companionship to some of the poorest, most isolated and culturally devastated people in America.”

Continue Reading

Let’s have a conversation…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In Western Alaska, there’s always a lot to discuss. For more than a decade, we’ve been happy to provide a crucial means for our listeners to begin and sustain conversations on subjects important to them. The way they have these conversations is through our weekly call-in show, Sounding Board.

Sounding Board belongs to our listeners. It is their forum to express thoughts, opinions, and ideas on a particular subject: whether it’s traditional Alaska Native cooking, regional politics, or the challenges of a changing Arctic. We’re grateful that so many in our region take time each week to respectfully share their thoughts on our airwaves.

In a region so sparsely populated – with rural communities separated by hundreds of miles – being able to share conversations means so much. Each week, you are making it possible. Thank you!

Photos: Joshua Cunningham and Margaret DeMaioribus host a Sounding Board show on climate change; news director Laureli Kinneen screens callers for the show.

Continue Reading →

Continue Reading

God of second chances…

An inspirational spot from the January 2013 edition of our newsletter, The Nome Static:

Oh God of second chances and new beginnings, here I am again.

-Nancy Spiegelberg

Continue Reading →

Continue Reading

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 the fiscal year in the black. Our income was $2,039,092, our expenses $1,646,678. Nearly all of this “extra” income is dedicated either to our digital studios construction or to other long-term development goals, described in further detail below.

(Click to enlarge.)

As always, the large majority of our income in the past fiscal year came from individual donors. 55.6% of KNOM’s overall income ($1,133,241) was from one-time or recurring donations, while 24.3% ($495,860) came from legacy gifts (funds entrusted to KNOM from wills, bequests, or estates). Legacy giving continues to provide a vital part of our operating budget.

Miscellaneous income – 17.6% ($359,668) – was higher than normal and consisted almost entirely of a settlement KNOM received in April at the conclusion of a two-year litigation against a former contractor. This money is earmarked for a long-term development plan to build financial infrastructure for KNOM’s future sustainability.

The remaining 2.5% of our funds came from interest on our bank accounts (just $826) and related income ($49,497), consisting of program underwriting from local organizations and fees from the National Weather Service, which rents space on our AM transmitter tower to broadcast its dedicated weather channel.

Both our expenses and income over the fiscal year were made higher by our digital studios campaign. While our capital campaign brought in more financial support, our expenses also included the architectural designs and plans for our studio expansion and renovation: a project that will continue, with your support, well into 2013.

(Click to enlarge.)

Our expenses included $361,995 for fundraising (22.0%); $115,698 for this newsletter (7.0%); $245,237 for general operations (14.9%); $239,989 for programming and technical costs (14.6%); and $683,759 for staff salaries (41.5%).

Our full-time volunteers remain an essential part of our operations, and their service – working full-time for room, board, and a small personal stipend – saved our mission about $111,000 in fiscal year 2012.

We saved, also, through new, energy-efficient technologies described in previous editions of this newsletter. In particular, the installation of dynamic carrier control (DCC) – a cost-saving method of power management at our AM transmitter site – paid for itself within three months, and we estimate that DCC will save $35,000 in electricity costs over fiscal year 2013.

As always, everything that we do is made possible through your support. Thanks so much!

Continue Reading →

Continue Reading