KFMA

KFMA
Oro Valley, Arizona;
Broadcast area	Tucson metropolitan area
Frequency	102.1 MHz
Branding	Rock 102.1 KFMA
Programming
Format	Active rock
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks; United Stations Radio Networks;
Ownership
Owner	Lotus Communications; (Arizona Lotus Corp.);
Sister stations	KCMT, KFFN, KLPX, KMXZ-FM, KTKT
History
First air date	1982; 42 years ago
Former call signs	KCMT (2000–2014)
Former frequencies	101.9 MHz (2001–2002)
Call sign meaning	FM (Frequency Modulation) Arizona (or Alternative Rock)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	87841
Class	C1
ERP	100,000 watts
HAAT	81 meters (266 ft)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen live
Website	kfma.com

KFMA (102.1 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Oro Valley, Arizona, and broadcasting to the Tucson metropolitan area. KFMA airs an active rock format and is owned by Lotus Communications. The studios and offices on North Commerce Drive.

KFMA has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most FM stations. The transmitter is on West Zinnia Road in Tucson, near North Kalin Avenue.^[2]

History

Easy listening (1982-198?)

In 1982 the station began using the call sign KEZG. It aired an easy listening and beautiful music format with quarter hour sweeps of instrumental cover versions of popular songs and soft vocals.

Top 40 (198?-1991)

After changing hands in the mid-1980s it became KFXX, a Top 40 station. In the early 1990s, the station was sold to Bill Yde, who eventually sold it Lotus Radio, its current owner.

Rock (1991–1993)

Between October 15, 1991 and September 21, 1993, it was KTZN, which played a Rock and Adult Contemporary mix.^[3]

Adult alternative (1993–1995)

KTZN then became 92.1 and 101.3 The Echo with the callsign KEKO. As the Echo, it was an adult album alternative station. The station broadcast on 92.1 MHz with a repeater on 101.3. The signal was sometimes hard to pick in all areas of the Tucson Metro Area due to distance, and the fact that the 92.1 frequency had an ERP of 50,000 watts. To overcome this, it had FM translator K267AF 101.3, located in Tucson. In many parts of Tucson, the translator was much easier to hear. Nevertheless, Lotus Communications coordinated a frequency swap with KCMT because the 92.1 frequency better served their target audience while the 102.1 frequency better served the target audience of KFMA.

Alternative (1995–2014)

In November 1995, the flip to KFMA and alternative rock was made. KFMA began streaming audio on the internet in 2003. Effective March 21, 2014, KFMA moved to 102.1 MHz.^[4]