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.
Tag Archives | construction
In Western Alaska, winter’s coming – and quickly
In winter, the ice on Western Alaska’s rivers – such as the mouth of the Snake River in Nome – becomes thick enough to support people and small vehicles.
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 make a positive difference every minute of every day.
Soon, the Bering Sea will turn to a slushy soup of ice crystals. Then the shore ice will fasten itself to the beaches (and the rivers, as pictured above) and the light will fade, declining about six minutes each day. As the seasons change, KNOM is constant in broadcasting critical weather, news, information, inspiration, and entertainment. We owe so much to so many who have helped us for nearly five decades: from planning to engineering, construction, and operation. We are truly blessed!
October 1971: The loss of Brother Huck
October 8, 1971
Traveling by small boat from the village of Pilot Station to St. Mary’s, 33-year-old Br. John Huck, SJ, and three others drown when their boat capsizes near the confluence of the Yukon and Andreafsky Rivers. Huck, who directed construction on the studio building, had become a great friend to the KNOM crew, who are overcome with grief. Huck’s body is never found.
Construction underway!
Construction workers drill the first hole for the foundation pilings of KNOM’s new studio annex.
Construction of the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios has begun! The pilings are in place, and the contractor will arrive soon to build our super-insulated addition. Please pray that more supporters come forward to make this last dream of the late Tom Busch a reality.
We are so thankful for your gifts and for all the blessings we have received, especially lately! Engineering volunteer Rolland Trowbridge is replacing five dysfunctional power modules in the Nautel AM transmitter; one of the modules actually caught fire for a brief time. Thankfully, the fire was limited only to the module itself! The new transmitter equipment brings us an unexpected expense of $5,000-6,000. However, the cost would have been much higher if the entire AM transmitter building had caught fire.
There are always challenges to meet and obstacles to overcome as we work to keep KNOM on the air in service to dozens of remote communities. Thank you for making our mission possible. We thank all who help KNOM.
Late summer update, new construction, and a prayer request
A snapshot of the plans for the expansion and digital renovation of KNOM studios.
The days are getting shorter, and the first freeze will be here very soon! Berry pickers are busy harvesting buckets of tasty treats, and the fish have finished their runs. Some of the families in our listening area will spend this season canning, freezing, and processing meat, fish, berries, and greens. We rely on the bounty of the land to sustain us, in one way or another, during the dark, cold winters.
Thanks to generous supporters, work will soon begin on the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. Please join us in prayer for a successful completion of this critical project.
We ask for your help with our latest batch of prayer requests. Please pray for all of our KNOM family and, especially, those who have asked for prayers for their families, friends, and special intentions. As we pray for these intentions, we ask God to bless and protect those who need our assistance.
Signs of summer, and letters of appreciation
A sign of late summer, circa 1990s: Nome resident Leona Mayac scours for wild salmonberries on boggy tundra 15 miles from Nome. (This photo was originally featured in our September 1999 newsletter.)
The temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s, and our region’s families are fishing, hunting, and preparing to gather greens and berries. They are also listening to KNOM. The radio is a constant companion for thousands of Alaskans, and if they could, they would thank all who make this radio ministry possible!
Signs of appreciation – in the form of support letters from organizations and individuals – continue to arrive as we put together our foundation grant requests for construction of the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios. These notes from the people who support, listen to, depend on, and enjoy the KNOM Radio Mission remind us of all the wonderful benefits you help bring to our remote listeners.
Special thanks this week to KNOM volunteer Matt Smith. He was instrumental in getting KNOM back on the air after utility workers shut off power to the AM transmitter site last week.
Summercise comes to KNOM, and a new challenge pledge for our studio construction
An artist’s rendering of the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios: an annex to KNOM Radio’s current studio building.
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.
Warmer weather and a transmitter update
Volunteer engineer Les Brown reviews technical information while helping to install dynamic carrier control at the KNOM AM transmitter.
The temperatures have risen to almost 70 degrees! We are blessed with warmer temperatures and, at times, sunshine.
We have great news. At the end of April, volunteer engineer Les Brown, longtime Alaska radio engineer Chuck Lakaytis, and maintenance specialist Rolland Trowbridge installed dynamic carrier control equipment at our AM transmitter site.
June 1968: Making a dormitory
The old KNOM dormitory known (somewhat) affectionately as “The Crooked House.”
June 18, 1968
Br. John Huck, SJ and volunteer carpenter Tom Karlin are tearing into an old World War II Army refrigeration building to convert it into a 5-room volunteer dormitory.
