KCUR-FM

KCUR-FM is the flagship NPR station in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The station, operated by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, broadcasts at 89.3 MHz with an ERP of 100,000 watts and covers a 90 mile radius in Northwestern Missouri and Northeastern Kansas.

History

In the spring of 1956, C.J. Stevens, then Director of Radio and TV at the University of Kansas City (forerunner of UMKC), submitted a budget request for the establishment and operation of an educational FM radio station. This request was turned down. Stevens and Sam Scott then decided to raise money outside the university and, with the approval of then President McGrath, a modest fundraising campaign was undertaken and a separate FM fund was established.

KCUR-FM began broadcasting October 21, 1957 from the third floor of Scofield Hall with a signal range of four miles, two full-time employees and a budget of $15,000 from the University. Wiring and setup of the station was done by student volunteers, some from Rockhurst (Richard J. Allen and Gary Labowitz, who was an announcer/engineer the first two years). It was the first university licensed educational FM station in Missouri and the second FM station in Kansas City.