KFMA
{{short description|Radio station in Oro Valley–Tucson, Arizona}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KFMA
| logo =
| city = Oro Valley, Arizona
| area = Tucson metropolitan area
| branding = Rock 102.1 KFMA
| frequency = 102.1 MHz
| airdate = {{start date and age|1982}}
| format = Active rock
| erp = 100,000 watts
| haat = 81 meters (266 ft)
| class = C1
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 87841
| callsign_meaning = FM (Frequency Modulation) Arizona (or Alternative Rock)
| former_callsigns = KCMT (2000–2014)
| former_frequencies = 101.9 MHz (2001–2002)
| owner = Lotus Communications
| licensee = Arizona Lotus Corp.
| affiliations = {{ubl|Compass Media Networks|United Stations Radio Networks}}
| sister_stations = KCMT, KFFN, KLPX, KMXZ-FM, KTKT
| webcast = {{listen live|https://www.kfma.com}}
| website = [https://www.kfma.com/ kfma.com]
}}
KFMA (102.1 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Oro Valley, Arizona, and broadcasting to the Tucson metropolitan area. KFMA airs an active rock format and is owned by Lotus Communications. The studios and offices on North Commerce Drive.
KFMA has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most FM stations. The transmitter is on West Zinnia Road in Tucson, near North Kalin Avenue.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=kfma&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/KFMA]
History
= Easy listening (1982-198?) =
In 1982 the station began using the call sign KEZG. It aired an easy listening and beautiful music format with quarter hour sweeps of instrumental cover versions of popular songs and soft vocals.
= Top 40 (198?-1991) =
After changing hands in the mid-1980s it became KFXX, a Top 40 station. In the early 1990s, the station was sold to Bill Yde, who eventually sold it Lotus Radio, its current owner.
= Rock (1991–1993) =
Between October 15, 1991 and September 21, 1993, it was KTZN, which played a Rock and Adult Contemporary mix.[http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=2746&Callsign=KFMA= Call Sign History]
= Adult alternative (1993–1995) =
KTZN then became 92.1 and 101.3 The Echo with the callsign KEKO. As the Echo, it was an adult album alternative station. The station broadcast on 92.1 MHz with a repeater on 101.3. The signal was sometimes hard to pick in all areas of the Tucson Metro Area due to distance, and the fact that the 92.1 frequency had an ERP of 50,000 watts. To overcome this, it had FM translator K267AF 101.3, located in Tucson. In many parts of Tucson, the translator was much easier to hear. Nevertheless, Lotus Communications coordinated a frequency swap with KCMT because the 92.1 frequency better served their target audience while the 102.1 frequency better served the target audience of KFMA.
= Alternative (1995–2014) =
In November 1995, the flip to KFMA and alternative rock was made. KFMA began streaming audio on the internet in 2003. Effective March 21, 2014, KFMA moved to 102.1 MHz.{{cite web | url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/87639/lotus-to-swap-frequencies-in-tucson/ | title=Lotus to Swap Frequencies in Tucson - RadioInsight | date=21 March 2014 }}
= Active rock (2014–present) =
In 2014, the station shifted to an active rock playlist, using the name "Rock 102.1".
From 2017-19, the station aired the syndicated "Billy Madison Show" in morning drive time.{{cite web | url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/172518/the-billy-madison-show-will-wake-up-tucson-on-kfma?ref=search | title=The Billy Madison Show Will Wake up Tucson on KFMA (Rock 102.1) }} Currently, Beef Vegan Presents is the morning show.
Awards
- Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson: public-vote winner for its radio station category (usually Best Rock Station) every year since 1996 except once.[http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Best/Content?section=oid%3A41682&year=2005 Best of Tucson 2005]
Logos
Image:Kfmalogosmall.PNG|KFMA Logo, circa 1998
Image:KFMA logo 4-04.jpg|Logo from circa 2002 until April 2004
Image:KFMA Logo.png|Logo from April 2004 to March 2014
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.kfma.com}}
{{FM station data|87841|KFMA}}
{{Tucson Radio}}
{{Modern Rock Radio Stations in Arizona}}
{{Lotus Communications}}
{{coord|32.003|N|110.798|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States
Category:Radio stations established in 2001