KTTZ-FM

KTTZ-FM (89.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a public radio format in Lubbock, Texas, U.S., The station is owned by Texas Tech University and features classical and jazz music and programming from National Public Radio.

History

The station first signed on in January 1973 as KLSD, operated by the Lubbock Independent School District. After only a year on the air, it changed its calls to KOHM. This change reportedly came because school district officials were concerned about possible negative connotations with the original calls. The station's calls reflected its status as part of the school district's electronics program; an ohm is the basic SI measurement of electrical resistance.

The station operated largely hand-to-mouth for its first decade on the air. Studios were located at whatever school happened to house the electronics program during the year. It operated at only 10,000 watts from a tiny 200-foot tower in Lubbock, effectively limiting its coverage area to the city itself. By 1986, LISD realized it was in over its head operating a radio station, and was in the process of surrendering its license to the FCC.