KTAO is a radio station

Radio station

Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...

 licensed to serve Taos, New Mexico

Taos, New Mexico

Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...

. The station is owned by Taos Communications Corporation. It airs an adult album alternative

Adult album alternative

Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....

 music format. The station's transmitter is powered by an array of 140 photovoltaic panels.

The station was assigned the KTAO call letters 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...

 on October 6, 1986

1986 in radio

The year 1986 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting.-Events:*January 18 – The syndicated "American Country Countdown" expands from three to four hours. Much like "American Top 40" had more than seven years earlier, several new features are added, including a weekly recap of three...

.

History

KTAO’s transmitter was in the town of Taos prior to 1991, but following FCC approval to increase to 1,200 watts, a new transmitter site was needed. The best location for a new transmitter was 10,800-foot Picuris Peak, which didn't have, and still doesn't have, grid power. According to owner Brad Hockmeyer, solar power was the only option. The high-altitude location of its transmitter gives KTAO rimshot

Rimshot (broadcasting)

A rimshot is a radio and television broadcasting term for a station that attempts to reach a larger media market from a distant suburban, exurban, or even rural location. The term is primarily used with FM stations, and mainly in North America...

broadcast coverage from as far south as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and north into southern Colorado. This broadcast area is the largest of any solar-powered station in the world.

Programming

KTAO’s music format is Adult Album Alternative (AAA). The reggae show Roots and Wires and Sonido del Sol, which plays Latin dance music, are some of the popular locally-produced specialty music shows. KTAO also airs syndicated programming such as Little Steven’s Underground Garage, the Putumayo World Music Hour, and the House of Blues Hour. Weekday mornings, Paddy Mac hosts the morning show. On Wednesday evenings, Kent Lewis hosts "Through the Looking Glass: A Cover Songs Radio Broadcast".

New Mexico Broadcasters Association Awards

KTAO and staff members have won numerous awards over the years.

Solar Center Music Venue

The KTAO studio offices are located five miles north of the town of Taos. Outside the studio and offices is a festival-style performance venue, that includes a large, heated tent that allows KTAO to host events year-round. Angelique Kidjo, Little Feat, Billy Bob Thornton, the Subdudes and many others performed at the Solar Center in 2007.

June 2010 ownership stake

On June 8, 2010, ASKK Media bought a majority ownership stake of KTAO.