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Tag Archives | technology

Construction update

By on April 26, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, May 2013

Work on our studio expansion project – the Tom and Florence Busch Digital Studios – has reached an important milestone! Thanks to your continued support, our dedicated construction crew has been able to complete the outside “box” of our annex: its floor, walls, and a sturdy, insulated roof, all of which can be seen, inside and out, in the photos above.

Our studio renovation, as you may know, will convert KNOM’s broadcasting tools from its aging, analog equipment to all-digital hardware, which will be far less expensive and complicated to operate, repair, and maintain. The new construction will be essential to our mission’s continued operations for many years to come.

Now that the outside of our new studio space is close to completion, the more complex work of installing our digital hardware – and raising the funds for this crucially-needed gear – lies ahead. As we go to press, our digital studio funds stand at $487,946.19; it’s enough to pay for the empty building with about $14,000 left over to go toward equipment, which we estimate will cost $358,430. To learn more or to help, visit our Digital Studios page or call 907-443-5221.

 

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March 2002: The impact of technology in rural Alaska

By on March 1, 2013 in History, Photos

Computer circuitry

March 8, 2002

Volunteer Ryan Conarro produces a series of KNOM Profiles on the impact of modern technology in bush Alaska.

One of the persons Ryan speaks with is Barb Pungowiyi, coordinator of Native programs for Nome Public Schools. “Some people might say technology is one of the reasons why our culture is being lost,” Pungowiyi tells Ryan, “but I think it can be used to an advantage.”

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Meet Lucus

By on November 12, 2012 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2012 (All), The Nome Static, November 2012

Lucus Keppel, KNOM’s new volunteer producer, comes to our mission with a breadth of experience in travel, academic study, broadcasting, ministry, and community service.

The Michigan native has lived in Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, Illinois, and Jakarta, Indonesia, and he’s now happy to call Alaska home. His tenure at our mission is hardly his first experience in broadcasting or technology: from Central Michigan University, Lucus earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast and cinematic arts with a minor in theatre and interpretation (in 2005) and a master’s degree in electronic media management (2007). He also founded an audio theatre troupe and taught the practice of radio drama to students with little or no experience in the art form.

Most recent among Lucus’ academic achievements is his master’s in divinity from Louisville Seminary. His theological background is a boon to our community: Lucus is active in the Nome Ministerial Association.

At KNOM, Lucus is putting his diverse experience to wonderful use; he writes and produces our inspirational spots. Welcome, Lucus!

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The people who keep us on the air

By on September 10, 2012 in Photos, Stories
KNOM AM transmitter

KNOM’s AM transmitter site in winter.

Last week, we welcomed the last of this year’s five volunteers to Nome. Lucus Keppel is from Michigan and has committed one year to the KNOM Radio Mission. He joins Margaret, Eva, Dayneé, and Josh. They look forward to a wonderful year of service to listeners in remote bush communities.

As always, we thank everyone who helps us overcome each obstacle and meet every challenge. Sometimes, our challenges are of a technical nature.

Recently, KNOM’s AM transmitter shut down, and the sensor monitoring the temperature inside our transmitter building read 128 degrees! The fans had turned off and had failed to restart. After cooling the building, engineering volunteer Rolland Trowbridge located the reset switch in a control panel and restarted the AM transmitter, returning the KNOM signal to the air.

In the rare moments our AM signal goes offline, we often receive phone calls from listeners asking us “where did you go?” We’re gratified to have such devoted listeners – and dedicated volunteers, staff, and community members who make sure such outages are not just rare, but also brief.

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Fish and wildlife reports, and help from a KNOM alumnus

By on July 29, 2012 in Photos, Stories
Tom at KNOM's hardware racks

Engineer, technology guru, and former KNOM news director Tom Bunger recently paid a visit to our station and helped us improve our networking and internet connectivity. Here, Tom makes some tweaks to KNOM’s internet wiring. Photo by David Dodman.

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 experiencing record precipitation. We wish we could share our rain with the drought-stricken areas of the “lower 48.” We pray for them and for relief from their extreme dry conditions.

Former KNOM news director Tom Bunger pitched in last week as we worked on technology issues. Tom was visiting Nome and devoted some time to help us streamline our computer and internet operations. His suggestions and work should show immediate savings of $300 to $500 per month.  Thanks, Tom!

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