KNDS-LP
Encyclopedia
KNDS-LP is a low power radio station broadcasting on 96.3 FM in Fargo, North Dakota
. The station is operated by the student broadcasting club at North Dakota State University
(NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota
in cooperation with the community-based Radio Free Fargo group.
Web radio station, and apply for a low-power FM license. After Hindman left the university, Cloy Tobola took up the cause. With the help of Tobola and several students, what is now KNDS came together. About the same time, a group affiliated with the Fargo Theatre
(later known as Radio Free Fargo) organized to start a community-focused station. These groups combined their efforts and license applications, and KNDS-LP began operating in 2004.
Some have argued that KNDS-LP was created in response to the loss of college radio
in Fargo after NDSU-owned KDSU 91.9 FM became a public radio station through North Dakota Public Radio
(now Prairie Public) on NDPR's launch in 1999.
In fact KDSU, which had started at the university in 1922, had ceased to be a student-run station by the mid-1970s when it affiliated with National Public Radio. For the quarter century or so afterward, students were employed at the station as studio monitors, interns and occasionally as on-air talent thanks to a subsidy from NDSU's student government; however, station management was handled by university employees and programming was essentially "public radio" fare. In short, the station was owned by a university but it would not be fair to describe its operations or programming as "college radio" during that period.
In the summer of 2003, KNDS-LP was granted its original construction permit
for a low power station by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). Over the next year, Tobola worked with NDSU students and representatives of Radio Free Fargo to secure studio space, networking services and equipment from the university, and to finalize operational roles for station managers. Because construction permits are only valid for one year, several short-term extensions were granted by the FCC. The last of these was issued on September 1, 2004; consequently, that date - and not the original 2003 date - appears on FCC records as the date of the construction permit.
The station marked its first FM broadcast at 11 AM CDT
, on October 10, 2004, under the direction of General Manager Matthew Langemo. The FCC granted the station its broadcast license
on August 29, 2005. In May 2007, KNDS moved frequency from 105.9 FM to 96.3 FM to prevent interference from KQLX-FM
106.1, which recently upgraded its signal.
s. Each DJ is allowed to make his or her own playlist for the program/shift. Thunder Radio and Radio Free Fargo also play music from local artists. KNDS has also become a respected broadcaster of NDSU Bison
athletics, airing more than 70 games a year from a variety of sports.
In 2010, some of the station programs began podcasting.
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
. The station is operated by the student broadcasting club at North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
(NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
in cooperation with the community-based Radio Free Fargo group.
History
In 1999 students at NDSU worked with Professor Douglas Blanks Hindman to launch ThunderRadio, a ShoutcastSHOUTcast
SHOUTcast is cross-platform proprietary software for streaming media over the Internet. The software, developed by Nullsoft , allows digital audio content, primarily in MP3 or HE-AAC format, to be broadcast to and from media player software, enabling the creation of Internet radio "stations"...
Web radio station, and apply for a low-power FM license. After Hindman left the university, Cloy Tobola took up the cause. With the help of Tobola and several students, what is now KNDS came together. About the same time, a group affiliated with the Fargo Theatre
Fargo Theatre
The Fargo Theatre is an art deco movie theatre in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. It was built in 1926. It was restored in 1999 to its historic appearance and now is a center for the arts in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area....
(later known as Radio Free Fargo) organized to start a community-focused station. These groups combined their efforts and license applications, and KNDS-LP began operating in 2004.
Some have argued that KNDS-LP was created in response to the loss of college radio
Campus radio
Campus radio is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include programmers from the wider community in which the radio station is based...
in Fargo after NDSU-owned KDSU 91.9 FM became a public radio station through North Dakota Public Radio
North Dakota Public Radio
Prairie Public is the public radio network for the state of North Dakota. It is a service of Prairie Public Broadcasting, in partnership with in association with North Dakota State University in Fargo and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks...
(now Prairie Public) on NDPR's launch in 1999.
In fact KDSU, which had started at the university in 1922, had ceased to be a student-run station by the mid-1970s when it affiliated with National Public Radio. For the quarter century or so afterward, students were employed at the station as studio monitors, interns and occasionally as on-air talent thanks to a subsidy from NDSU's student government; however, station management was handled by university employees and programming was essentially "public radio" fare. In short, the station was owned by a university but it would not be fair to describe its operations or programming as "college radio" during that period.
In the summer of 2003, KNDS-LP was granted its original construction permit
Construction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
for a low power station by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC). Over the next year, Tobola worked with NDSU students and representatives of Radio Free Fargo to secure studio space, networking services and equipment from the university, and to finalize operational roles for station managers. Because construction permits are only valid for one year, several short-term extensions were granted by the FCC. The last of these was issued on September 1, 2004; consequently, that date - and not the original 2003 date - appears on FCC records as the date of the construction permit.
The station marked its first FM broadcast at 11 AM CDT
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
, on October 10, 2004, under the direction of General Manager Matthew Langemo. The FCC granted the station its broadcast license
Broadcast license
A broadcast license or broadcast license is a specific type of spectrum license that grants the licensee the privilege to use a portion of the radio frequency spectrum in a given geographical area for broadcasting purposes. The licenses are generally straddled with additional restrictions that...
on August 29, 2005. In May 2007, KNDS moved frequency from 105.9 FM to 96.3 FM to prevent interference from KQLX-FM
KQLX-FM
KQLX-FM is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Lisbon, North Dakota, it serves the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.-History:...
106.1, which recently upgraded its signal.
Programming
Depending on the radio programs on KNDS, the station plays a wide range of music that attempts to break out of the strict music radio formatRadio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
s. Each DJ is allowed to make his or her own playlist for the program/shift. Thunder Radio and Radio Free Fargo also play music from local artists. KNDS has also become a respected broadcaster of NDSU Bison
North Dakota State Bison
The North Dakota State Bison is the name of the athletic teams of North Dakota State University which is located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota. The teams are often called the "Thundering Herd"...
athletics, airing more than 70 games a year from a variety of sports.
In 2010, some of the station programs began podcasting.