| Name 1 | KUAZ |
|---|---|
| Name 2 | KUAZ-FM |
| City | Tucson, Arizona |
| Country | US |
| Area | Tucson metropolitan area |
| Airdate 1 | June 26, 1961 |
| Airdate 2 | April 27, 1992 |
| Frequency 1 | 1550 kHz |
| Frequency 2 | 89.1 MHz |
| Format | Public radio |
| Power 1 | 50,000 watts (day) |
| Erp 2 | 1,600 watts |
| Haat 2 | 187.0 meters (613.5 ft) |
| Class 1 | D |
| Class 2 | A |
| Facility id 1 | 2723 |
| Facility id 2 | 3383 |
| Coordinates 1 | 32°22′21″N 111°5′52″W |
| Coordinates 2 | 32°12′53″N 111°0′21″W |
| Callsign meaning | University of Arizona |
| Former callsigns 1 |
|
| Owner | University of Arizona |
| Licensee | Arizona Board of Regents |
| Sister stations | KUAT-FM · KUAT-TV |
| Website | radio.azpm.org/kuaz |
| Affiliations | |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
KUAZ and KUAZ-FM are public radio stations in Tucson, Arizona, owned by the University of Arizona. KUAZ transmits on 1550 kHz on the AM dial, and KUAZ-FM is at 89.1 MHz on the FM dial. The stations simulcast a radio format of news and information, as a member of National Public Radio. KUAZ-AM-FM carry such popular NPR shows as All Things Considered, Morning Edition, 1A and Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
KUAZ's transmitter is located in Marana, while KUAZ-FM's transmitter is located in Tucson. Programming is also heard on KUAS-FM at 88.9 MHz in Sierra Vista, KUAE-FM at 91.7 MHz in Safford, as well as three low-power FM translators that fill in service gaps around Tucson and Southeastern Arizona.
History
As a construction permit, 1550 AM began as KSWC, but changed its call sign to KFIF before signing on the air on June 25, 1961.[1] It was owned by the Southwest Broadcasting Corporation.
In 1967, John B. Walton, who had bought KFIF in 1965, also bought a station at 580 AM, which he would christen KIKX. The station on 580 could operate 24 hours a day. Walton then donated 1550 AM to the University of Arizona. The station became KUAT on October 7, 1968.[2] KUAT initially had a format of classical music and jazz. When KUAT-FM went on the air in 1975, the FM played all classical music and the AM went all jazz.
The U of A put 89.1 FM on the air in Sierra Vista on April 27, 1992. It took the call sign KUAZ-FM, so as to distinguish itself from KUAT-FM.[3] The AM station adopted the KUAZ calls on August 11, 2000.
Repeaters
On October 11, 2018, after an 11-year process, KUAS-FM 88.9 came to air for the first time, broadcasting to Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson, Huachuca City, and Douglas. Previously, Sierra Vista received KUAZ via translator K217GI (91.3 MHz).[4]
A second translator, K283DC at 104.5 MHz, fills service gaps in the Catalina and Saddlebrooke areas to the north of Tucson and began operating in 2019.
A second repeater, KUAE-FM 91.7, signed on the air on December 18th, 2025, covering southeastern Arizona to fill significant gaps in public radio coverage in Graham and Greenlee counties.
References
- ^ World Radio History
- ^ World Radio History
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ^ "AZPM Launches New Radio Station in Southeast Arizona". Arizona Public Media. October 30, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2019.