KTNN
Encyclopedia
KTNN is a Navajo language
AM (medium-wave) radio station
broadcasting from Window Rock, Arizona
, the seat of the government of the Navajo Nation
. It broadcasts Navajo tribal music and audio from Navajo ceremonial (powwow
) dances and Native American music, as well as country music
and bluegrass
in English. Most of its announcers are bilingual and broadcast in Navajo
and English.
The station is notable because it was the last AM station in the United States to receive a 50,000 watt clear channel license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). KTNN's nighttime broadcast signal covers a broad section of the western region of the United States, including vast rural areas of the American Southwest and the entire 26000 square miles (67,339.7 km²) comprising the Navajo Nation. Many households in KTNN's listening area do not have access to cable television and those that do receive news from network stations originating from Albuquerque and Farmington, New Mexico, leaving a large need for news and information directly related to those living on and around the Navajo Nation. KTNN's broadcast coverage thus fulfills the historic intent behind the FCC's licensing of 50,000-watt 'powerhouse' stations, since these clear channel licenses were originally issued to provide a means to reach those who lived in rural areas with reliable radio service.
KTNN's daytime signal covers much of the Four Corner states; in contrast, its nighttime signal can be heard throughout most of the western United States
, reaching as far away as the Central Coast of California
and even countries around the Pacific Rim
. During nighttime, the station uses a directional antenna to protect the signal of WFAN
in New York, as required by FCC rules, since WFAN is a Class A (formerly Class I-A) station broadcasting on 660 kHz, whereas KTNN is Class B (formerly Class II-A).
Navajo language
Navajo or Navaho is an Athabaskan language spoken in the southwestern United States. It is geographically and linguistically one of the Southern Athabaskan languages .Navajo has more speakers than any other Native American language north of the...
AM (medium-wave) 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...
broadcasting from Window Rock, Arizona
Window Rock, Arizona
Window Rock is the seat of government and capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest territory of a sovereign Native American nation in North America. Window Rock contains the Navajo Nation Council, the Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park, as well as the Navajo Nation World War II Memorial...
, the seat of the government of the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
. It broadcasts Navajo tribal music and audio from Navajo ceremonial (powwow
PowWow
PowWow is a wireless sensor network mote developed by the Cairn team of IRISA/INRIA. The platform is currently based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard radio transceiver and on an MSP430 microprocessor...
) dances and Native American music, as well as country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
in English. Most of its announcers are bilingual and broadcast in Navajo
Navajo language
Navajo or Navaho is an Athabaskan language spoken in the southwestern United States. It is geographically and linguistically one of the Southern Athabaskan languages .Navajo has more speakers than any other Native American language north of the...
and English.
The station is notable because it was the last AM station in the United States to receive a 50,000 watt clear channel license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). KTNN's nighttime broadcast signal covers a broad section of the western region of the United States, including vast rural areas of the American Southwest and the entire 26000 square miles (67,339.7 km²) comprising the Navajo Nation. Many households in KTNN's listening area do not have access to cable television and those that do receive news from network stations originating from Albuquerque and Farmington, New Mexico, leaving a large need for news and information directly related to those living on and around the Navajo Nation. KTNN's broadcast coverage thus fulfills the historic intent behind the FCC's licensing of 50,000-watt 'powerhouse' stations, since these clear channel licenses were originally issued to provide a means to reach those who lived in rural areas with reliable radio service.
KTNN's daytime signal covers much of the Four Corner states; in contrast, its nighttime signal can be heard throughout most of the western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
, reaching as far away as the Central Coast of California
Central Coast of California
The Central Coast is an area of California, United States, roughly spanning the area between the Monterey Bay and Point Conception. It extends through Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County...
and even countries around the Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim
The Pacific Rim refers to places around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Basin" includes the Pacific Rim and islands in the Pacific Ocean...
. During nighttime, the station uses a directional antenna to protect the signal of WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
in New York, as required by FCC rules, since WFAN is a Class A (formerly Class I-A) station broadcasting on 660 kHz, whereas KTNN is Class B (formerly Class II-A).