Why KISU Is Upgrading Now
For any radio or TV station, the transmitter is the heart of the operation: no transmitter means no signal, no license, and no station. KISU-FM has been planning improvements to its transmitter and tower systems for about six years, but the old tower site made it impossible to reach our long-term goals.
The previous site had several problems: difficult access, no air conditioning, no backup power, no internet, and a transmitter for which replacement parts were no longer available. Our lease at that site also required us to rent a more than 20-year-old antenna rather than own our own, limiting quality and flexibility. When our 10‑year lease expired at the end of May 2026, we had a small window to move to a better site and avoid being locked into another decade at a location that didn’t meet KISU’s needs.
What’s Changing at the New Tower Site
KISU has secured a new tower site and lease agreement with Teton Wireless that gives us a modern facility and room to grow. The new site provides backup power, fire protection, air conditioning, internet connectivity, and the ability to better optimize our equipment and signal.
Over the life of the new 10‑year lease, KISU will save close to $10,000 per year in tower rent, nearly $85,000 total, which essentially pays for the new transmitter and antenna over the life of the lease. At the new site, we will own a high‑quality FM antenna and a new transmitter and STL (Studio‑to‑Transmitter Link) equipment designed for future expansion, including HD radio, multiple program channels, and improved digital sound.
How Your Listening Experience Will Improve
Once the project is complete, listeners will notice a number of improvements. The new transmitter and antenna are designed for better durability in a controlled environment, helping protect KISU’s investment and keep the station on the air reliably.
The antenna’s broadcast pattern will be circularly polarized, rather than just vertically polarized, which helps radios receive the signal more consistently and can improve reception to the north, east, and potentially south of Pocatello. A vertically polarized FM antenna sends waves that swing in one straight up‑and‑down direction, while a circularly polarized FM antenna sends waves that spin like a corkscrew so radios can pick up the signal more reliably from different angles.
We are also adding RDS (Radio Data System), which allows digital information, like station name and program or song titles, to appear on many car and home radios. Audio will be fully processed and delivered digitally to the transmitter using a new point‑to‑point system, backed up by KISU’s licensed microwave STL. The transmitter is built with automatic fail‑over, so if internet delivery is interrupted, it will switch to the backup system to keep KISU on the air.
Project Timeline and Current Power Levels
This project has many moving parts, including engineering studies, FCC license applications, lease negotiations, and building upgrades. KISU has filed for a construction permit, a temporary emergency operating license, and STL construction/relocation licenses with the FCC, all supported by professional engineering and legal work.
Here is a simplified timeline of recent and upcoming steps:
- Late June: New lease agreements finalized; power and air conditioning installed at the new facility.
- June 30: Emergency transmitter and antenna installed at the new site; KISU moved its on‑air signal from the old tower to the temporary equipment.
- July 1: 91.1 FM at the old site was powered down, and the emergency transmitter at the new site began broadcasting.
- July 15: New MPX point‑to‑point digital audio and RDS delivery from the studio to the tower was deployed.
- July 17: The new permanent transmitter was delivered to the new site to be prepared for final installation.
- Early August: Planned installation of the new antenna at about 150 feet on the tower, followed by connection to the new transmitter.
- Fall: RDS (digital information on your radio display) will be fully installed and activated.
During this construction period, KISU is operating at 300 watts from the emergency transmitter instead of our licensed 4,500 watts. This temporary reduction in power means listeners in communities outside Pocatello, such as Blackfoot and American Falls, may have difficulty receiving 91.1 until the permanent equipment is fully installed and brought up to full strength.
Challenges and Community Support
A project of this size is demanding for KISU’s small staff, especially without a full‑time engineer on site. Many other station projects and fundraising efforts are on hold this summer so staff can focus on the tower move and equipment installation.
The new site has required electrical and HVAC upgrades to make sure the equipment stays cool and runs reliably, which will help extend the life of your station’s new gear. KISU is also coordinating the installation of a large antenna at 150 feet, which must be done by licensed and experienced tower professionals. We are extremely grateful to our colleagues at Boise State Public Radio, who are providing their expertise and crews to perform the antenna installation at a lower cost than commercial options.
We also appreciate NPR’s support in loaning us the temporary backup transmitter to keep KISU on the air during the transition. There have been typical construction challenges, ordering and receiving specialized equipment, scheduling work around weather and contractor availability, and completing purchases in the proper fiscal year, but we are committed to finishing the project carefully and correctly.
What Listeners Can Expect Next
As work continues, KISU will share updates through our email newsletter, on‑air messages, and a banner on our website to remind listeners about reduced power and construction activity. Our goal is to complete the installation, return to full‑power broadcasting, and then bring new digital features online so that 91.1 FM sounds better and reaches farther than before.
KISU appreciates your patience and support during this transition, and we look forward to delivering a stronger, more reliable signal and improved services to southeastern Idaho once the new transmitter and tower systems are fully in place.
Listeners can contact KISU General Manager Jamon Anderson by phone or emails with questions and concerns.
Jamon Anderson
(208) 282-2688
