By Ad Astra News
LARNED, Kan. — As 1510 KLQR approaches its 60th anniversary this fall, the station will bring Kansas State Wildcat sports back to Larned radio. This week, Ad Astra Radio and President Chris Shank announced a new agreement with LEARFIELD – the media and technology company powering college sports – to affiliate KLQR with the K-State Sports Network.
“As a proud 3rd Generation K-State graduate, my wife Jessica (also a K-State graduate) and I are excited to have an Ad Astra Radio Station as a K-State affiliate once again. We’ve been season ticket holders for many years and our oldest son is now a freshman at K-State. To put it mildly, our family bleeds purple,” Shank said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to strengthen the K- State Sports Network in the Golden Belt. It will be beneficial to our listeners, our customers and K-State’s alumni in the area.”
1510 KLQR will be bringing listeners Wildcat football and men’s basketball action featuring the play-by-play of Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame member Wyatt Thompson.
Initially, KLQR will only be able to broadcast Wildcat football games played during daytime hours due to FCC licensing requiring it to leave the air at sundown.
However, applications were filed with the Federal Communications Commission last week that would permit KLQR to add an FM frequency that would allow it to air its programming on a 24 hour a day basis. When granted, it could be in operation later in the football season.
Ad Astra Radio is currently in the process of acquiring and moving an FM translator for 1510 KLQR. For the past 60 years, 1510 KLQR has been an AM daytime station, signing on at sunrise and off at sunset. The plan is to have 1510 KLQR rebroadcast 24/7 on 92.3 FM once everything is in place according to Shank.
“When that takes place, for the first time in the station’s history, it will be available 24 hours a day,” Shank said, “We’re hoping to have the FM translator on the air later in 2023.”
KLQR and sister station KGBK were acquired by Ad Astra Radio earlier this year.
1510 KLQR, Larned’s Classic Hits – The only Classic Hits station between Hutch and Dodge City, KLQR out of Larned, Kan., (1,000 Watts daytime) delivers the greatest pop, soul, and rock n’ roll from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. It’s feel-good music with outstanding personalities with fun daily features, weekend themes, Brownfield Ag Reports and AP News Reports at the top of the hour. The station plays 40 percent ’70s music, 57 percent ’80s and 3 percent ’90s. KLQR’s core counties are Barton, Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford Counties.
98.9 KGBK, The Golden Belt’s Real Country – The only Real Country station between Hays and Wichita with over 25 years of research and development as the industry’s leader in traditional Country radio programming, Real Country’s approach combines older Country hits with newer songs by traditional-sounding Country artists. The on-air personalities embrace Country’s roots to position this format from other contemporary or mainstream Country formats. KGBK, also out of Larned (16,500 Watts) Delivers a music range from 60s Country through today’s Country. 10 percent of the music playing is from the ’60s-’70s, 30 percent is ’80s country, 30 percent is from the ’90s, 18 percent is 2000s and only 12 percent is current. current. KGBK features Brownfield Ag Reports, ABC News, HS Sports of multiple schools across the Golden Belt and is Larned’s Kansas City Chiefs Affiliate. KGBK’s core counties are Barton, Edwards, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford Counties.
About Ad Astra Radio – On Oct. 1, 1986, KSKU signed on the air with Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4”. From that first song on one station, Ad Astra Radio has grown into the largest family-owned radio company based in Kansas entertaining, informing and interacting with thousands of listeners daily across Kansas on its network of 11 local stations. The family owned and operated company is now in its second generation. Ad Astra Radio also takes great pride in bringing live play-by-play coverage from over 60 high schools across Kansas with Football, Boys & Girls Basketball, Baseball and Softball Broadcasts across all 11 stations, the exclusive Ad Astra Radio App, smart speakers, the IHeart Media, Tune In and on www.adastraradio.com.
About LEARFIELD – LEARFIELD is a media, data, and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include trademark licensing and branding; collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; NIL solutions; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; campus- wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.
