View source for KRCL

{{short description|Radio station in Salt Lake City}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{for|the Indian railway company also initialised as KRCL|Konkan Railway Corporation}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name             = KRCL
| logo             = KRCL logo 2022.svg
| logo_upright     = 1
| logo_alt = In the upper left corner, a black illustration of a bee with two teal-colored thunderbolts emerging from its wings. To the right, the letters KRCL in a sans serif in a treatment suggesting neon light tubes. Below are the words "90.9FM" and "Salt Lake City" in a sans serif in black.
| city             = [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]]
| area             = [[Salt Lake City metropolitan area]]
| branding         = ''90.9 KRCL''
| frequency        = 90.9 [[Megahertz|MHz]] {{HD Radio}}
| translator       = {{ubl|90.9 KRCL-FM1 ([[Park City, Utah|Park City]])|96.7 K244EN (Park City)}}
| repeater         =
| airdate          = {{Start date|1979|12|3}}
| format           = [[Community radio]]
| erp              = 25,000 [[watt]]s
| haat             = {{convert|1140|m|sp=us}}
| class            = C
| facility_id      = 37766
| coordinates      = {{coord|40|39|34|N|112|12|5|W|region:US_type:city}}
| callsign_meaning = "LCR" backwards{{r|Dese091202}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| affiliations     =
| owner            = Listeners Community Radio of Utah
| webcast          = {{url|krcl.org/listen-live/}}
| website          = {{url|krcl.org}}
}}
'''KRCL''' (90.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a listener-supported [[community radio]] station in [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]], United States.
KRCL is a non-profit organization that airs music and public affairs programming. Music programs are hosted by DJs who choose their own playlist. Many programs feature [[alternative music|alternative]], [[indie rock]], [[folk music|folk]], [[blues]], and [[world music]]. Public affairs programming includes locally generated content, as well as nationally syndicated programs such as [[Pacifica Radio|Pacifica Radio's]] ''[[Democracy Now!]]''
The station began broadcasting in 1979 and was the first station of its kind in the Salt Lake City area.
==History==
KRCL was conceived in part by Stephen Holbrook, a community activist and member of the [[Utah State Legislature]]. Holbrook was concerned that the media in Salt Lake were not adequately serving minority points of view and communities, particularly after a 1965 dispute with radio station [[KSL (AM)|KSL]]. While visiting California, Holbrook was exposed to [[KPFA]], the [[Pacifica Foundation]] radio station in [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]]. He endeavored to start a similarly oriented station in Utah.<ref name="Dese091202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/12/2/20356303/radio-dial-krcl-celebrates-30th-birthday|title=Radio Dial: KRCL celebrates 30th birthday|first=Lynn|last=Arave|date=December 2, 2009|work=[[Deseret News]]|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070827/https://www.deseret.com/2009/12/2/20356303/radio-dial-krcl-celebrates-30th-birthday|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1975, Listeners Community Radio of Utah was formed, bringing together smaller groups that were interested in radio but did not have the resources to pursue their own station.<ref name="Foru751017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534453/wc-chosen-as-agent-for-utah/|date=October 17, 1975|page=4|title=W.C. Chosen As Agent For Utah Listener's Community Radio|newspaper=Parson|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 14, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534453/wc-chosen-as-agent-for-utah/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
While it began to air occasional programs on public radio station [[KUER-FM]],<ref name="Dail770119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534523/kuer-to-air-cleaver-talk/|date=January 19, 1977|page=2|title=KUER to air Cleaver talk|newspaper=The Daily Utah Chronicle|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 14, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534523/kuer-to-air-cleaver-talk/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Listeners also applied for a license to build its own station on June 27, 1976.<ref name="hc">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/165a3717-2fa1-dd66-a4dc-b8b31178c87d|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|title=FCC History Cards for KRCL|access-date=August 13, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070828/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/165a3717-2fa1-dd66-a4dc-b8b31178c87d|url-status=live}}</ref> One legacy of the dispute with KSL was that its owner, [[Bonneville International]], donated space on the Farnsworth Peak tower used by KSL's FM radio and television stations as well as other equipment; this allowed Holbrook to ensure regional coverage, as he felt it was essential the new outlet be a "Wasatch Front station" rather than a low-wattage, limited-range facility.<ref name="Dese191201">{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2019/12/1/20978623/krcl-utah-salt-lake-radio-station-40-year-anniversary-here-are-the-music-and-moments-that-define-it|work=Deseret News|first=Court|last=Mann|date=December 1, 2019|title=Utah's KRCL is turning 40, and has some songs to share with you|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113210005/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2019/12/1/20978623/krcl-utah-salt-lake-radio-station-40-year-anniversary-here-are-the-music-and-moments-that-define-it|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) granted a construction permit on April 11, 1978,{{r|hc}} and plans were initially announced to locate the studios at [[Westminster College (Utah)|Westminster College]].<ref name="Salt780418">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534557/station-receives-fcc-license/|date=April 18, 1978|page=6C|title=Station Receives FCC License|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 14, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070828/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107534557/station-receives-fcc-license/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The college, however, dropped out because of entreaties by utility company Mountain Fuel Supply, which objected to Holbrook's legislative work relating to utilities.<ref name="oral">{{cite web|url=https://uvu.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/Peace/id/491/download|date=October 26, 2006|title=Interview with Stephen Holbrook|work=Oral History of Utah Peace Activists Project|publisher=Utah Valley University|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070827/https://uvu.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/Peace/id/491/download|url-status=live}}</ref> The antenna on Farnsworth Peak was erected before the winter of 1978–1979, sitting unused for more than a year.<ref>{{cite news|page=6|date=May 6, 1979|url=https://cosmicaeroplane.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/announce_krcl_79aa.pdf|title=Public radio for Utah is one month away, station picks program director|work=The Enterprise|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070825/https://cosmicaeroplane.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/announce_krcl_79aa.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
It operated generally on a shoestring, with four full-time paid staffers in 1984 and five in 1999.<ref name="Foru841214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107626838/community-radio-krcl-maintains-variety/|date=December 14, 1984|page=6|first=Mark|last=Paulos|title=Community Radio KRCL Maintains Variety|newspaper=The Forum|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070829/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107626838/community-radio-krcl-maintains-variety/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Salt991219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107626846/krcl-still-making-waves-after-20-years-o/|date=December 19, 1999|page=E6|first=Martin|last=Renzhofer|title=KRCL Still Making Waves After 20 Years on the Air|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107626846/krcl-still-making-waves-after-20-years/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> However, in 2000, it was able to move to its own building at 1973 West North Temple after a multiyear capital campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/21/19503019/20-year-old-krcl-hoping-to-occupy-new-home-in-august-br-pledges-pass-1-million-in-station-s-capital|work=Deseret News|first=Lynn|last=Arave|date=April 20, 2000|title=20-year-old KRCL hoping to occupy new home in August: Pledges pass $1 million in station's capital campaign|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070829/https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/21/19503019/20-year-old-krcl-hoping-to-occupy-new-home-in-august-br-pledges-pass-1-million-in-station-s-capital|url-status=live}}</ref> The station remained on North Temple until 2021, when it sold the property to a developer seeking to build low-income housing and moved to a new temporary facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://krcl.org/blog/krcl-is-moving/|first=Eugenie|last=Jaffe|website=KRCL|date=May 21, 2021|title=KRCL is Moving!|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213204540/https://krcl.org/blog/krcl-is-moving/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2008, KRCL replaced its 18 volunteer on-air hosts with three paid DJs in a bid to make its music programming more consistent and encourage listeners who were younger and listened for longer. The suggestion had been made in connection with a "station renewal" grant by the [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]]—which supplied 12 percent of its budget and negotiated its music licensing royalties—as a way to possibly reverse a decline in listenership.<ref name="SLCW080130">{{cite news|url=https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/feature-dead-air-krcl-is-getting-a-corporate-makeover-is-community-radio-done-for/Content?oid=2134992&showFullText=true|work=Salt Lake City Weekly|date=January 30, 2008|first=Ted|last=McDonough|title=Dead Air: KRCL is getting a corporate makeover. Is community radio done for? }}</ref><ref name="SLTr091107">{{cite news|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Fnews%2Fci_13729449|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|first=David|last=Burger|date=November 7, 2009|title=KRCL at 30: Bruises and new blood|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070949/https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Fnews%2Fci_13729449|url-status=live}}</ref> The changes were successful in increasing the station's listener base but simultaneously alienated many dismissed DJs, some of whom moved to online stations; news of the shuffle led to protests at the Salt Lake City library. Further, fundraising dropped from 2007 to 2009.{{r|SLTr091107}}
More controversy erupted in 2017 when KRCL's afternoon drive host, "Bad" Brad Wheeler, announced his resignation on air, which led to criticism of general manager Vicki Mann and ultimately to her resignation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walden |first=Eric |date=June 8, 2017 |title='Bad' Brad Wheeler leaves KRCL as some say station has turned too commercial |language=en-US |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=5368038&itype=CMSID |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112005132/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=5368038&itype=CMSID |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SLTr171215">{{Cite news |last=Walden |first=Eric |date=December 15, 2017 |title=KRCL radio hires beloved former employee as its new general manager — a 'big relief' after a year of drama |language=en-US |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/music/2017/12/15/hiring-of-new-gm-at-krcl-caps-tumultuous-year-signals-optimism-for-future/ |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226181052/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/music/2017/12/15/hiring-of-new-gm-at-krcl-caps-tumultuous-year-signals-optimism-for-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She was replaced by Tristin Tabish, a former station employee who had been a listener since growing up in [[Magna, Utah|Magna]], {{convert|20|mi|km}} from Salt Lake, in the 1980s.{{r|SLTr171215|Dese191201}}
==Translator==
In addition to the main station, KRCL is relayed by an additional booster and translator to serve [[Park City, Utah|Park City]], which is blocked from Salt Lake radio signals by terrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://krcl.org/about/contact-us/|title=Contact Us|website=KRCL|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref>
{{RadioTranslators
| call1       = KRCL-FM1
| freq1       = 90.9
| watts1      = 99
| haat1       =
| fid1        = 165237
| class1      = D
| city1       = Park City, Utah
| call2       = K244EN
| freq2       = 96.7
| watts2      = 99
| haat2       = -128.5
| fid2        = 37764
| class2      = D
| city2       = Park City, Utah
}}
From 2007 to 2011, KZCL (90.5 FM) in [[Logan, Utah|Logan]] operated as a higher-power repeater of KRCL for northern Utah.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hjnews.com/news/valley-can-finally-tune-in-krcl-radio/article_26c05d66-67cc-5f16-9fcc-bfae304d1838.html|work=Logan Herald-Journal|first=Aaron|last=Falk|title=Valley can finally tune in KRCL radio|date=September 23, 2007|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070943/https://www.hjnews.com/news/valley-can-finally-tune-in-krcl-radio/article_26c05d66-67cc-5f16-9fcc-bfae304d1838.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The facility, which had been planned for more than a decade, struggled from engineering issues and the ability to receive a reliable signal of KRCL. It was sold to the [[University of Utah]] in 2011 and became KUEU, rebroadcasting KUER-FM; one local booster of the rebroadcast effort apologized in a letter to the editor for representing KRCL.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 2, 2011|title=KRCL donors gave money for nothing|first=Matt|last=Hansen|work=Logan Herald-Journal|url=https://www.hjnews.com/opinion/krcl-donors-gave-money-for-nothing/article_cdb1bf76-eca3-11e0-a628-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815070943/https://www.hjnews.com/opinion/krcl-donors-gave-money-for-nothing/article_cdb1bf76-eca3-11e0-a628-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[List of community radio stations in the United States]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{official|krcl.org}}
*{{FM station data|37766|KRCL}}
{{Salt Lake City Radio}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Utah|RCL]]
[[Category:Mass media in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Community radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1979]]