KNOM: The Nome Static,

REALLY COOL: (left) With power off, engineer Les Brown checks the transmitter’s output for heat, a sign of trouble. It was fine. Last month, Les flew up from Palmer, Alaska, and Tom Busch from Anchorage, to give the transmitter its annual thorough checkup.

A 1973-4 KNOM volunteer, Les later served as chief engineer on a reduced salary between 1997 and 2003.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED for office assistant Robyn Woyte, who is bedridden in a hospital in Anchorage, expecting her third child, Sophie.

(Left) Robyn with her two children, Steve and Gracie.

Sophie is small for her gestational age, but she will have to be taken by Caesarean section fairly soon, as Robyn is at risk due to diabetes and high blood pressure. Doctors are postponing surgery as long as they can, but they can’t wait much longer.

Meanwhile, the wheels are in motion for Robin’s husband, Major John Woyte, to return a month early from duty in Iraq. Robyn’s mom is in Nome tending to the couple’s other two kids, with lots of help from KNOMers.

Robyn says that she greatly appreciates any prayers you can offer on her family’s behalf.

31,200: That’s how many inspirational spots KNOM has broadcast so far during 2006.

31,200: That’s how many educational spots KNOM has broadcast so far during 2006.

SPOT CHECK: Topics of our educational spots this past month included:

the benefits of breast feeding
recovery from alcohol abuse
radiology
influenza
tobacco
adoption
science
parenting
history
depression
eye care
dental health
elder wisdom
successful youth
reading skills
Alaska history and science

and many more. It’s an effective way of teaching.

Thank you for making these important “mini-programs” possible. One minute at a time, they are helping people to make constructive changes in their lives.

Since 1971, KNOM has brought Catholic programming, information, news, inspiration, encouragement, companionship and positive entertainment to isolated Eskimo and Indian village families. Our only source of income is contributions by people like you. Thank you!

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: He has no hands but our hands to do His work today;

He has no feet but our feet to lead others in His way.

He has no voice but our voice to tell others how He died;

He has no help but our help to lead them to His side.

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BLOW, GABRIEL, BLOW! In Los Angeles October 20th, KNOM general manager Ric Schmidt humbly accepted KNOM’s fourteenth Gabriel “Radio Station of the Year” Award.

It is among broadcasting’s highest national honors, and we are in heady company. Past honorees include WNYC New York City, KNX Los Angeles, KMOX St. Louis, KDKA Pittsburgh, KGO San Francisco and WMAL Washington, DC.

It’s given by the Catholic Academy of Communications Arts Professionals.

Yes, for our mission station, this is number fourteen!

In his brief speech, Ric honored the hard working and dedicated staff, but emphasized the importance of each of our contributors, who together in gift and prayer keep our mission station alive.

With sincere appreciation for your vital support, we hope that you will feel that you own a genuine share of this major award. Thank you!

ELECTRIFYING: (left) Here’s September’s power bill for KNOM’s AM transmitter, and ($1,947.11) for the studio building.

Nome’s electricity is produced by diesel generators, and the skyrocketing cost of fuel has more than doubled prices. Because of these increases, everything in our isolated town costs more.

During the same period last year, the transmitter’s power cost $4,291.60.

You can see why we’re hurting!

WILLFULLY: Please consider adding the KNOM mission to your will.

Prayerfully, we place all bequests into funds that are used only to meet emergencies such as our current crisis and provide for major future improvements.

May God embrace those whose final gifts are helping to keep us on the air at this moment!

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: Lord, not my will be done, but Yours.

INSPIRATIONAL SPOT: We are given many chances and opportunities to live out God’s commandments. But there will be a point in our life when we make a choice, either to be with God or to be against God.

Jesus warns his would-be followers not to be complacent, not to be slow to reform their lives. Rather, they need to proclaim boldly what they believe through their actions and words.

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IT’S A RECORD! (left) KNOM volunteer Ross Reilly sits with the largest music donation to the station in our 35-year history.

A long-time Nome resident was moving out of town, and gave KNOM 1,600 LP records!

Ross was poring through them, searching for material we don’t already have.

Many people of Ross’ age have never seen a vinyl record, but as luck would have it, Ross is an avid collector of them.

THIRTY YEARS AGO: In November 1976, the ocean was in the process of freezing. KNOM volunteer news director Steve Havilland reported that two walrus, separated from their herd, were spotted a mile off shore.

Steve described a “mad house” rush of hunters and boats, but there was no getting through the ice and the animals drifted off to the west.

FORTY YEARS AGO: In early winter 1966, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the budding Catholic Nome radio project had $30,000 in the bank, about 20% what was needed to construct the station.

APPLY TOPICALLY: Ahead of the November election, KNOM produced interviews and call-in programs with Alaska’s three main gubernatorial candidates.

For most of our listeners, it was their only way to become informed of the candidates’ views on rural Alaskan issues.

We also aired programs on, among other topics:

rural sanitation
gun safety
healthy eating
cancer treatment
educational funding
vandalism
bush sanitation and
opportunities for adult education.

It was an active month.

Once more, we thank you deeply for joining us in offering this greatly needed radio service. If they could, our faithful listeners would thank you, too. Please stay with us, and know that you remain in all of our daily prayers. May Our Lord reward you abundantly for your generosity.