A longtime AM radio station with a large coverage area in northeastern South Dakota has returned its license after several years of changes.
FCC records indicate i3G Media returned the license of KKAA/1560 (Aberdeen) on Monday, Aug. 10. No details of the decision are available in the FCC database.
KKAA’s most recent “Pure Country” format continues on K296FW/107.1 (Aberdeen), which is now originating on the HD2 signal of KSDN-FM/94.1 (Aberdeen).
The “Pure Country” format had just launched in January, with a legal ID and imaging at that time mentioning KKAA, KQKD/1380 (Redfield), and their FM translators:
KQKD is still mentioned in the “Pure Country” legal ID, but the station’s on-air imaging and social media have removed references to KQKD’s FM translator frequency, 99.9.
KKAA was apparently not on the air for long after its most recent format launched. The station had received special temporary authority to remain silent for six months beginning in October 2019, telling the FCC at that time that it was considering “modifications to allow for more efficient and cost-effective operation.” After launching the format in January, KKAA received an extension of the special temporary authority to remain silent in April.
KKAA signed on in 1974. It operated commercially until being divested to a religious broadcaster amid market consolidation in 2004.
In 2017, KKAA was converted back to commercial status when it was sold to i3G Media, headed by Robert J. Ingstad, and briefly relayed KQLX/890 (Lisbon, ND).
The station was licensed for 10kW day and night with different day and night directional patterns, using three towers during the day and six at night. Since 2005, KKAA had filed a dozen requests for special temporary authority, or extensions, citing problems with its antenna system several times under the previous ownership.