WKAI
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WKAI
| logo = WKAI K100 logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| city = Macomb, Illinois
| area = Western Illinois
| branding = K 100
| frequency = 100.1 MHz
| repeater =
| airdate = 6 June 1966{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
| format = Contemporary Hit Radio
| language =
| erp = 25,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|86|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = B1
| facility_id = 60016
| coordinates = {{coord|40|32|1.0|N|90|51|45.0|W |type:landmark_region:US-IL_source:NAD83 |display=inline,title}} (NAD83)
| callsign_meaning = to match original callsign of WCAZ
| former_callsigns = WKAI-FM (1966–1984)
| former_frequencies =
| affiliations =
| owner = Fletcher Ford
| licensee = Virden Broadcasting Corp.
| sister_stations = WNLF, WJEQ, WMQZ, WLMD
| webcast =
| website = {{URL|https://regionalmedia.live/radio/western-illinois/wkai-fm-k100/}}
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WKAI (100.1 FM) is a 25,000{{Cite web |title=WKAI-FM 100.1 MHz - Macomb, IL |url=https://radio-locator.com/info/WKAI-FM |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=radio-locator.com}} watt radio station in Macomb, Illinois, in west-central Illinois. WKAI has been on the air since June 6, 1966.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfnNiEFTIrAC&q=WKAI++6+june+1966|quote="WKAI ( FM ) — Co - owned with WLRB (AM). June 6, 1966 : 100.1 mhz; 3.08 kw . 463 ft ."|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook|date=2007|publisher=R.R. Bowker}} It is owned by Fletcher Ford, through licensee Virden Broadcasting Corp.
Survey after survey shows K-100 to be the most popular radio station in McDonough County.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} K-100 features contemporary hit music of the 80's, 90's and today along with local news, weather, sports and chances to win prizes several times each day. K-100 also carries live play-by-play of Macomb High School football and basketball, and other special sports broadcasts throughout the year.
History
{{Expand section|date=July 2009}}
- 15 September 1965 — WKAI Broadcasting Company is granted permission to build a new FM radio station.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fCZfLm87tt4C&dq=WKAI+radio+station&pg=PA1613|title=Federal Communications Commissions Report|page=1613|date=1965–1966|author=United States. Federal Communications Commission|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}
- 1966 — WKAI-FM is added{{Cite web |date=2017-10-26 |title=WKAI 1510 AM Microphone Shaped Radio – Western Illinois Museum |url=https://wimuseum.org/wkai-1510-am/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}} to the existing WKAI-AM (now WCAZ) at 1510 kHz and Macomb Daily Journal media properties owned by the Rudolph family.
- 2005 — Construction permit filed with FCC to increase station power to 11.5 kW ERP.
- 2009 — WKAI was transferred from WPW Broadcasting, Inc. in DeKalb, Illinois to Colchester Radio, Inc.{{cite web | url = http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1293651&Service=AM&Form_id=323&Facility_id=60016 | title = FCC 323: OWNERSHIP REPORT FOR COMMERCIAL BROADCAST STATIONS (file no. BOS-20090209ADM) | author = Colchester Radio, Inc. | publisher = Federal Communications Commission | date = 2009-02-04 | accessdate = 2009-07-25 }}
- November 30, 2015 — WKAI was sold to Virden Broadcasting Corp., along with five sister stations, for $725,000.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|60016|WKAI}}
{{Macomb Radio}}
{{Burlington (IA) Radio}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{Sports Radio Stations in Illinois}}
Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States
Category:Sports radio stations in the United States
Category:Radio stations established in 1966
Category:1966 establishments in Illinois
{{Illinois-radio-station-stub}}