KGMS

KGMS
Tucson, Arizona;
Broadcast area	Tucson metropolitan area
Frequency	940 kHz
Branding	940 AM KGMS
Programming
Format	Christian talk and teaching
Affiliations	Wilkins Radio Network
Ownership
Owner	Robert and Luann Wilkins; (Tucson Christian Radio, Inc.);
History
First air date	August 10, 1963; 61 years ago
Former call signs	KMBO (1960–1961); KOBY(1961–1963); KHOS (1963–1977); KMGX (1977–1981); KNST (1981–1993); KWFM (1993–1994); KCEE (1994–2001)
Call sign meaning	K Good MeSsage
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	53592
Class	B
Power	1,000 watts day; 250 watts night
Transmitter coordinates	32°12′4.00″N 111°1′2.00″W / 32.2011111°N 111.0172222°W
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen live
Website	KGMS Online

KGMS (940 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Christian talk and teaching format. It is licensed to Tucson, Arizona. The station is owned by Robert and Luann Wilkins, through licensee Tucson Christian Radio, Inc. National religious leaders heard on KGMS include David Jeremiah, John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley and Alistair Begg. It is part of the Wilkins Radio Network.

By day, KGMS is powered at 1,000 watts. To reduce interference to other stations on 940 AM, a clear channel frequency, KGMS reduces power to 250 watts at night. It uses a directional antenna with a two-tower array.^[2] Programming is simulcast on KNXN 1470 AM in Sierra Vista, Arizona, to provide coverage southeast of Tucson.

History

Early years

KGMS began as a request for a construction permit, filed in 1958 for a new station on 940 kHz in Tucson. Prior to beginning operations, it was assigned the call letters KMBO in 1960 and KOBY in 1961. The station signed on the air in August 10, 1963; 61 years ago (1963-08-10). Its call sign was KHOS and it aired a full service, country music format. KHOS was an affiliate of the ABC Information Radio Network.

On September 1, 1977, it switched to Adult Contemporary music and changed its call letters to KMGX. In July 1981, it flipped to a talk radio format as KNST. The KNST call letters and format were moved to 790 AM in April 1993.^[3] Meanwhile, 940 AM changed its call letters to KWFM. The next year the call sign was changed to KCEE, and the station became KGMS in 2001.^[4]

Expanded Band assignment

On March 17, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that 88 stations had been given permission to move to newly available "Expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz. KCEE was authorized to move from 940 kHz to 1630 kHz.^[5]

However, KCEE never procured the construction permit needed to implement the authorization. The expanded band station was never built. It remains on 940 AM.

References

^ "Facility Technical Data for KGMS". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
^ Radio-Locator.com/KGMS
^ "Good News: A Tucson AM Finds A New Owner" by Adam Jacobson, July 20, 2018.
^ Call Letter History (FCC.gov)
^ "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations" (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997. This notice lists KCEE under its earlier call sign of KWFM.

External links

Facility details for Facility ID 53592 (KGMS) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
KGMS in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
FCC History Cards for KGMS (covering 1958-1981 as KMBO / KOBY / KHOS / KMGX / KNST)

[1] "Facility Technical Data for KGMS". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.

[2] Radio-Locator.com/KGMS

[3] "Good News: A Tucson AM Finds A New Owner" by Adam Jacobson, July 20, 2018.

[4] Call Letter History (FCC.gov)

[five-5] "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations" (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997. This notice lists KCEE under its earlier call sign of KWFM.

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