KFAB
Encyclopedia
KFAB is a 50,000 watt clear channel news and talk radio station licensed to Omaha, Nebraska
. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications
. It provides a strong signal to most of eastern Nebraska during the day, and at least grade B coverage as far as Kansas City
, Topeka, Sioux City and Des Moines. KFAB's transmission towers are located southeast of the town of Papillion, Nebraska
. At night, the station's signal reaches most of the Western U.S.
in 1924. The station's call sign was issued sequentially by the Federal Communications Commission
and has no meaning. The station operated on 770 kHz and then 780 kHz, in an unusual shared-time arrangement with Chicago's co-channel WBBM
. Beginning in 1939, both stations synchronized their carrier frequencies via a telephone line that ran from the WBBM transmitter outside Chicago to the KFAB site near Lincoln, thus providing a nearly coast-to-coast CBS
signal on that frequency.
In 1948 the station moved to Omaha and to the 1110 kHz frequency. It then boosted its power to 50,000 watts, allowing it to still be heard with city-grade strength in Lincoln. However, at night it only provides a grade B signal to the Iowa
side of the Omaha market because it must adjust its signal to protect WBT
in Charlotte, North Carolina
, another clear-channel station located on the same frequency. It became Nebraska's first 24 hour radio station in 1951. In 2005, KFAB became the first Nebraska
radio station broadcasting in HD
.
In 1948, while still an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Johnny Carson
worked at KFAB writing and doing shows.
, Glenn Beck
, Matt Drudge
, Michael Savage
, Coast-to-Coast AM
, and The Mutual Fund Show with Adam Bold
. KFAB also broadcasts local radio shows hosted by Gary Sadlemyer, Jim Rose, Scott Voorhees, Thor Schrock and Tom Becka
.
KFAB is the home of all Nebraska Cornhuskers
football and basketball games, sharing flagship status with Lincoln's KLIN
.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. It provides a strong signal to most of eastern Nebraska during the day, and at least grade B coverage as far as Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Topeka, Sioux City and Des Moines. KFAB's transmission towers are located southeast of the town of Papillion, Nebraska
Papillion, Nebraska
Papillion is a city in Sarpy County in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is a suburb to the southwest of neighboring Omaha, and is the county seat of Sarpy County. The population of Papillion was 18,894 at the 2010 census. In 2009, Papillion was named the #3 best place to live in the United States by...
. At night, the station's signal reaches most of the Western U.S.
History
KFAB was first licensed in Lincoln, NebraskaLincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
in 1924. The station's call sign was issued sequentially 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...
and has no meaning. The station operated on 770 kHz and then 780 kHz, in an unusual shared-time arrangement with Chicago's co-channel WBBM
WBBM (AM)
WBBM is an all-news CBS radio station in Chicago, Illinois broadcasting on the AM dial at 780 kHz. It is owned by CBS along with WBBM-TV....
. Beginning in 1939, both stations synchronized their carrier frequencies via a telephone line that ran from the WBBM transmitter outside Chicago to the KFAB site near Lincoln, thus providing a nearly coast-to-coast CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
signal on that frequency.
In 1948 the station moved to Omaha and to the 1110 kHz frequency. It then boosted its power to 50,000 watts, allowing it to still be heard with city-grade strength in Lincoln. However, at night it only provides a grade B signal to the Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
side of the Omaha market because it must adjust its signal to protect WBT
WBT (AM)
WBT is a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, broadcasting on the AM dial at 1110 kHz. A 50,000-watt clear-channel station, it can be heard across most of the eastern half of North America at night. It simulcasts on WBT-FM, at 99.3 MHz in Chester, South Carolina. It is owned by Greater...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, another clear-channel station located on the same frequency. It became Nebraska's first 24 hour radio station in 1951. In 2005, KFAB became the first Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
radio station broadcasting in HD
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
.
In 1948, while still an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
worked at KFAB writing and doing shows.
Programs
KFAB is host to such national shows as Rush LimbaughRush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, Matt Drudge
Matt Drudge
Matthew Nathan Drudge is the American creator and editor of the Drudge Report, a news aggregation website. Drudge is self-described as being conservative and populist. Drudge has also authored a book and hosted a radio show and a television show.-Early years:Matthew Drudge was raised in Takoma...
, Michael Savage
Michael Savage (commentator)
Michael Savage is a conservative American radio host, author, and political commentator. He is the host of The Savage Nation, a nationally syndicated talk show that airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network...
, Coast-to-Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
, and The Mutual Fund Show with Adam Bold
Adam Bold
Adam Bold is an American author and businessman. He is the founder and minority shareholder of The Mutual Fund Store, and host of The Mutual Fund Show, a national weekly talk radio show focused on actively managed mutual fund investments...
. KFAB also broadcasts local radio shows hosted by Gary Sadlemyer, Jim Rose, Scott Voorhees, Thor Schrock and Tom Becka
Tom Becka
Tom Becka is a former talk radio personality in Omaha, Nebraska on KFAB known for his gravelly voice, and libertarian political views. He was fired from KFAB on October 26, 2011...
.
KFAB is the home of all Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference...
football and basketball games, sharing flagship status with Lincoln's KLIN
KLIN
KLIN is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, the station serves the Lincoln area. The station is currently owned by NRG Media and features programing from ABC Radio , Premiere Radio Networks and Fox News Radio.KLIN was founded in 1946...
.