Radio World, March 17, 2025
KRPS gains stability and clarity to serve the Four-State Area
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Pittsburg State University’s 89.9 KRPS(FM) is the 100 kW NPR affiliate serving southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas, commonly known as the Four-State Area.
A financial grant enabled what General Manager Fred Fletcher-Fierro described as a major upgrade to the station’s studios and transmitter site.
The Nautel GV40 is unloaded at the KRPS(FM) transmitter site.
For 35 years, KRPS primarily aired a classical music format. In January 2024, it transitioned to all-news. “Our plan was to use HD subchannels for classical music and the BBC World Service, but we needed a new transmitter,” he said.
The station’s old transmitter had long suffered from myriad issues, keeping engineers busy diagnosing problems as they arose. After evaluating the capabilities of the HD-capable transmitters on the market, Fletcher-Fierro said KRPS opted for the Nautel GV40.
He described the unit as capable out of the box. “Its built-in HD capability was a key factor for me,” he said. KRPS also benefits from the transmitter’s on-screen diagnostics and its remote control and management features.
“After all the issues we faced with the old transmitter, knowing that Nautel can remotely access our GV40 and troubleshoot potential problems immediately is a relief,” Fletcher-Fierro said. He praised the manufacturer’s customer support and responsiveness, calling it superior to that of other companies with which he has worked.
The GV40 is unboxed inside the KRPS building.
KRPS’ biggest challenge during the GV40 installation was unloading it from the truck at the transmitter facility. Once the staff managed the transfer, Fletcher-Fierro reported a smooth process, aided by KRPS Engineer Jerry Tibbetts’ experience with Nautel installations.
The GM said KRPS had already removed its old transmitter and the station was operating at reduced power. “Restoring full power as quickly as possible was our top priority,” he said.
The results from the GV40 have drawn some positive listener feedback, according to Fletcher-Fierro. “The audio quality has improved, even on our non-HD content,” he said. He noted that KRPS previously experienced reception dropouts in parts of the Four-State Area, but those reports have ceased.
At a station where everyone wears multiple hats and juggles various roles, he said, investing in a robust transmitter was a smart decision.
