About KTNA

Mission

To enrich and connect the communities of the Upper Susitna Valley through informational and cultural programming.

History

Local residents began working to bring radio to the northern Susitna Valley for community enrichment in the 1980s, and Talkeetna Community Radio incorporated  in July 1988. KTNA began broadcasting in January 1993 with 1000 watts at the FM frequency 88.5 from a small log cabin on Second Street in downtown Talkeetna.

Since then the station has evolved in many ways, becoming an essential resource for the community. KTNA began with a skeletal staff and many local volunteers and has evolved into a full-service community station where volunteers continue to be our core.  At some point KTNA changed its frequency to 88.9 FM to resolve a frequency interference issue with a new station in Anchorage.

KTNA’s broadcast signal can be heard from Willow north nearly to Cantwell, with best reception in Talkeetna, Trapper Creek and Susitna.

Approximately 4,500 full-time residents live within the broadcast radius, but the population swells substantially in the summer.  KTNA’s reach is worldwide: over 350 people stream the broadcast online weekly, 3400 access this website each month, and over 3400 follow KTNA on social media.

KTNA presents a wide variety of programming twenty-four hours every day, drawing from National Public Radio and other national and independent program distributors. Beyond national news and cultural programs, KTNA offers local news, educational and informative programming, music with local DJs, and continuous emergency broadcast capacity.

Significant KTNA Dates

9/16/88       Incorporation as Talkeetna Community Radio, Inc; located at Denali Professional Building on Main Street; signed by Judy Price, Krista Maciolek, Mike Chartrand, and Tom Waite. Other directors included Judy Price, Mark Stasik, Shoo Salasky, and Michael Vaughan. Rose Jenne was the notary.

12/27/89      Determination as non-profit organization under IRS 501(c)(3)

9/23/92        FCC license granted

1/17/93         1st day on air from a log cabin studio on 2nd Street at 1.0 kw

1998              First website

4/1/02           KTNA leases Yadon house across from the log cabin studio on 2nd Street

5/19/06         Started streaming the broadcast online with a new website

10/2006        Studio move from the log cabin across the street to the Yadon house

12/2006        KTNA frequency moves up the dial from 88.5 to 88.9 and transmitter power increases to 3.5 kw. This move was precipitated by interference with a new station in Anchorage (K-Love) which was granted the 88.5 frequency. KTNA decided to resolve the interference problem with a power upgrade (1 kw to 3.5 kw) and a frequency change.

2/3/09           KTNA purchases its building (formerly the Yadon house)