A Timeline of KSAC/KKSU
With KSAC's first broadcast on December 1, 1924, it became the first educational broadcasting station in Kansas and a pioneer radio voice in the United States. The station was named for Kansas State Agricultural college. KSAC was heard coast-to-coast on that first broadcast, because there were very few radio stations and little interference.
1901
K-State Physics Department begins experiments with Marconi receiver.
1912
First regularly scheduled weather forecast was broadcast by K-State Physics Department by Morse Code.
1919
The K-State Physics Department built 9YV to bring wireless telephony to the college.
1923
K-State Cooperative Extension ran weekly educational courses like cooking, farming, and electricity over KFKB radio station in Milford. It was called “The College of the Air”.
1924
December 1, KSAC 880 AM goes on the air with programs to bring the college to the people on “The College of the Air”.
1928
KSAC received permission from the Federal Radio Commission to change from 880 to 580 AM.
1929
Timeshare agreement with WIBW AM begins.
1947
Increased power to 5000 watts.
1966
KSAC General Manager Jack Burke is elected chairman of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and was instrumental in including radio in the Public Broadcasting Act.
1968
Fire burns down Nichols Hall the home of KSAC Radio.
1969
KSAC and WIBW agree to have WIBW broadcast K-State sports. KSAC received an extra 15 minutes of airtime Monday through Friday in the agreement.
1970
KSAC Program Manager Ralph Titus acted as a committee member to create National Public Radio.
1971
“All Things Considered” airs for the first time on NPR. During NPR’s first decade KSAC provided more reports than any other station.
1984
KSAC becomes KKSU.
2002
KKSU leaves the airwaves, November 27, after 77 years of serving its mission to “take the college to the people”.
2002
The mission of extension radio continues with Agriculture Toay and other pieces distributed by the K-State Radio Network.